If you have a sweet tooth and crave that perfect blend of buttery richness, nutty crunch, and caramel sweetness, this Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe will be your new best friend. These delightful cookies pack loads of flavor, combining toasted pecans, buttery toffee chunks, and velvety butterscotch chips in every bite. They come out soft with just a hint of chewiness, making them utterly addictive. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon treat or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this recipe promises cookies that are as comforting as they are irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential, each playing a special role in creating the perfect Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe. From the creamy butter that forms the base, to the toasted pecans adding a satisfying crunch, every item on this list contributes to the cookie’s memorable flavor and texture.
- Butter, softened: The foundation of your dough, giving cookies a tender, rich crumb.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that slightly crisp edge on your cookies.
- Light brown sugar: Provides a deeper caramel flavor and moisture for chewiness.
- Eggs, room temperature: Binds ingredients while adding richness and tenderness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweet flavors and adds warm aromatic notes.
- Butternut flavor (optional): A lovely extra hint of nutty sweetness if you want to elevate the flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The structural base that holds everything together.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread for the perfect texture.
- Baking powder: Works alongside baking soda to create lightness in each bite.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Boiling water: Dissolves the baking soda and salt for even mixing and moisture.
- Butterscotch chips: Melty pockets of buttery sweetness adding extra indulgence.
- Toffee pieces: Crunchy, caramelized bits that make every bite exciting.
- Pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped: Nutty crunch that gives these cookies a wonderful texture contrast.
How to Make Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Space
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with the white sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key because it incorporates air that helps your cookies have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavors
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully combine. Then stir in the vanilla extract and, if you’re feeling fancy, a touch of butternut flavor. This subtle ingredient is optional but brings a lovely nutty warmth that complements the pecans beautifully.
Step 4: Mix Baking Soda and Salt with Boiling Water
In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda and salt in boiling water—this helps distribute them evenly throughout your dough. Beat this liquid mixture into your butter and sugar batter, adding moisture and a light rise to your cookies.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid over-mixing and tough cookies.
Step 6: Fold in Butterscotch Chips, Toffee, and Pecans
Now for the fun part: gently fold in the butterscotch chips, crunchy toffee pieces, and toasted pecans. These ingredients bring the signature textures and flavors that make this Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe truly stand out.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop the cookie dough by teaspoonfuls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart so they have room to spread. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. This ensures chewy, tender cookies that aren’t overdone.
Step 8: Cooling
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time allows them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle while keeping their soft centers intact.
How to Serve Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaked sea salt over the cookies before serving to enhance the sweetness and add a sophisticated touch. You can also add a few extra toasted pecan halves on top for presentation and crunch.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm cup of coffee or a chilled glass of milk to balance the richness. They also pair wonderfully with vanilla ice cream for a simple yet indulgent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies between layers of parchment paper in a decorative tin for gifting. Or arrange them on a pretty platter alongside fresh fruit and nuts for a festive party spread that’s sure to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them fresh and maintains their perfect chewy-soft texture.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the fully cooled cookies in a sealed freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months, making them an excellent make-ahead treat for busy days or last-minute guests.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to life, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This refreshes their softness and makes the butterscotch chips gooey again.
FAQs
Can I substitute nuts in this Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While pecans are traditional and add a lovely flavor, walnuts or almonds make great alternatives. Just toast them gently to bring out their best flavor before adding to the dough.
What is butternut flavor, and can I skip it?
Butternut flavor is a sweet, rich extract that enhances the nutty profile of baked goods. It’s optional in this recipe, but skipping it won’t compromise the deliciousness—your cookies will still taste amazing!
Why use boiling water with baking soda?
Dissolving baking soda and salt in boiling water helps activate the leavening right away and distributes these ingredients evenly, ensuring the cookies rise and spread perfectly.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, ideally one with xanthan gum for structure. Just keep in mind that texture might vary slightly depending on the blend used.
How soft should these cookies be when I take them out of the oven?
They should have firm edges but still look a bit soft and underbaked in the center. They’ll continue to cook as they cool, resulting in that tender, chewy texture that makes this Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe so delightful.
Final Thoughts
You truly can’t go wrong with this Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe. It’s a lovely balance of flavors and textures that feels both nostalgic and exciting all at once. Whether baking for your family, gifting friends, or just treating yourself, these cookies will bring warmth and joy to every bite. So grab your ingredients, get cozy in the kitchen, and enjoy the magic of homemade cookie bliss!
Print
Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully rich and buttery Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies featuring a perfect blend of butterscotch chips, crunchy toffee pieces, and toasted pecans. These cookies are soft in the center with slightly crisp edges, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) Butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) Sugar
- 1 cup (220g) Light brown sugar
- 2 large Eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Butternut flavor (optional)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Boiling water
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups (375g) All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup Butterscotch chips
- 1 cup Toffee pieces
- 1 cup Pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure even distribution. Stir in the vanilla extract and optional butternut flavor to enhance the cookie’s richness.
- Dissolve Leavening Agents: Dissolve the baking soda and salt in boiling water, then beat this mixture into the butter mixture. This helps activate the baking soda for proper leavening.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the butterscotch chips, toffee pieces, and toasted pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookie edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Optional butternut flavor can be omitted if unavailable; vanilla extract provides sufficient flavor.
- For best texture, do not overmix the dough once flour is added.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freezing the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help control spreading.
