Indulge your taste buds in the rich, nutty goodness of Brown Butter Pecan Cookies. This delightful recipe combines the warm flavors of browned butter, toasted pecans, and a hint of cinnamon to create a treat that is sure to become a household favorite. In this article, we will walk you through the ingredients, preparation steps, and provide tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time.
Ingredients:
To embark on this culinary adventure, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted until browned
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 16 pecan halves, for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by melting 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the finely chopped pecans and cook until they are lightly toasted, typically for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, ground cinnamon, and baking soda. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Melt 2 sticks (8 ounces) of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the butter achieves a golden brown color. Remove the pan from heat and pour the browned butter into a large, heatproof mixing bowl.
- Add the dark brown sugar to the melted butter and whisk well to combine. Stir in the vanilla extract. Proceed to beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the mixture is well combined.
- Carefully fold in the previously prepared dry mixture, stirring until just combined. Then, fold in the toasted buttered pecans to infuse the nutty flavor throughout the dough.
- Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days, to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop 3 tablespoon-sized rounds of dough onto the prepared sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie for spreading. For an extra touch, sprinkle a little granulated sugar on top of the cookies before baking.
- To add an aesthetic touch, firmly press a pecan half on top of each ball of cookie dough.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 9 minutes or until the edges are set, and the center is still slightly soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 15 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to complete the cooling process.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, these Brown Butter Pecan Cookies are a symphony of flavors and textures, bringing together the earthy notes of toasted pecans with the depth of browned butter. By following this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be treating yourself and your loved ones to a batch of irresistibly delicious cookies that are perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of homemade goodness with every delightful bite!
