Butter Pecan Cookies Brown Butter (Printable)

Rich, nutty butter pecan cookies with toasted pecans and a hint of flaky sea salt.

# What You 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, room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted and coarsely chopped

→ Finishing

10 - Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

# How-To:

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 5-7 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 6-8 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, approximately 2 tablespoons per cookie, onto the sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Sprinkle each with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
06 - Bake for 12-14 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.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • Rich, nutty brown butter creates unmatched depth of flavor
  • Toasted pecans add satisfying crunch and earthy sweetness
  • Flaky sea salt perfectly balances sweet and savory notes
  • Easy to make with simple, wholesome ingredients
  • Soft, chewy centers with golden, crispy edges
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the pecans—it intensifies their natural oils and flavor
  • Use high-quality flaky sea salt like Maldon for the best finishing touch
  • Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to avoid breakage
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness
  • These cookies freeze beautifully—store baked cookies or raw dough for up to 3 months
Go back