Butter Pecan Cookies Brown Butter (Printable Version)

Rich, nutty pecan cookies with deep brown butter flavor and a touch of flaky sea salt for balance.

# What You'll Need:

→ Brown Butter

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter

→ Cookies

02 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs at room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted and coarsely chopped

→ Finishing

10 - Flaky sea salt such as Maldon for sprinkling

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking, swirling often, until the butter foams, turns golden brown, and has a nutty aroma, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl and cool for 10 minutes.
02 - While the butter cools, preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread pecan halves on a baking sheet and toast for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring halfway through. Cool completely, then chop coarsely.
03 - To the cooled brown butter, add brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in toasted pecans.
05 - Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough using approximately 2 tablespoons per cookie onto the sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
06 - Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until edges are golden and centers appear just set. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The brown butter adds an incredible depth of flavor that elevates these cookies beyond ordinary
  • Toasted pecans provide a satisfying crunch and nutty richness in every bite
  • Flaky sea salt creates a perfect sweet-savory balance that makes these cookies irresistible
  • Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques make this an easy recipe for bakers of all levels
  • These cookies stay soft in the center while developing beautifully crisp, golden edges
02 -
  • Use a light-colored saucepan when browning butter so you can easily see the color change
  • Don't skip the flaky sea salt on top—it's essential for balancing the sweetness
  • For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough
  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
  • These cookies freeze beautifully—freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months or freeze scooped dough balls and bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time
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