These thick Brown Sugar Butterscotch Pecan Cookies are sugar cookies that are loaded with browned butter, butterscotch chips and pecans for a delicious nutty, butterscotch taste!
For the past 6+ years I’ve been trying to perfect one of my husband’s favorite treats: butterscotch pecan cookies. And as you can probably guess there were lots of really epic fails along the way. Several “just ok” recipes, but never “the one,” until now! I took my bakery style chocolate chip cookies and turned them into these golden beauties. They’re thick, soft and filled with butterscotch chips and chopped pecans.
One of the biggest problems I had in the past was that I could never get my butterscotch cookies to hold their shape.
They were always flat and way too buttery. I knew when I started reworking my bakery style cookies that I wouldn’t have that problem again.
I opted for browned butter to increase the “nutty” flavor and used 100% brown sugar to keep these cookies extra thick and soft. Both were very delicious decisions 🙂
Like my chocolate chip cookie recipe, these do require a bit of chill time in the refrigerator. Why? First, we browned the butter versus creaming a stick of room temperature butter, so naturally the dough is a bit more greasy and soft.
Second, we want to make sure that the dough is firm to prevent the cookies from spreading too thin while baking (and it gives the cornstarch time to do it’s job).
And third, the flavor of the cookie develops as it rests. I gave these cookies 2 hours in the refrigerator and they baked up perfectly!
If you notice that your cookies are a little round, gently pat the dough so that it has a flat top prior to sticking the next batch in the oven. These cookies should be about 1/2″- 3/4″ thick after baking.
These Brown Sugar Butterscotch Pecan Cookies are a new favorite- and husband approved 🙂
I know I’ll be making this recipe time & time again!
I hope you’ll give this recipe a try too, you’re going to love these cookies!
Brown Sugar Butterscotch Pecan Cookies Recipe
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Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/4 cups (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter - room temperature
- 2 1/3 cups brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips
- 1 cup pecans - chopped
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Swirl occasionally until it begins to foam. The butter will pop, once that stops, you will begin to see brown bits for and it will smell nutty. Let the mixture cook for 1-2 more minutes and then strain through a mesh sieve into a small bowl. Discard the browned bits.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl of the bowl of a stand mixer beat the browned butter and brown sugar for 1-2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract, then the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. With mixing speed on low, gradually add the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Fold in the butterscotch chips and pecans. Place the dough into an air-tight container and chill for 2 hours, preferably 24. The longer the dough chills, the better it tastes.
- When ready to bake, set out the dough for 20 minutes prior to baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats, set aside.
- Using a standard size cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoons) place dough onto the prepared baking sheets (12 per sheet). Sprinkle the tops with a little sea salt, then place in the oven to bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and lightly golden brown on the tops. Do not overbake. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes on the sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
NOTES
Nutrition
Recipe source: Life Made Simple
I have made these cookies several times now and they always turn out great! The flavor of the cookies makes me think of butterbeer, so I have been calling these my “Harry Potter” cookies. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Adrienne, we love your name for these cookies!
Oh my goodness! These are AMAZING! I followed the recipe exactly. I had never browned butter before, chilled the dough for 24hrs, and yes the dough is firm and a bit hard to work with when forming into balls….but it’s all worth it! My cookies turned out fluffy with yummy gooey centers and that perfect pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. My husband couldn’t stop eating them and my teenagers actually kept coming out of their rooms for another cookie! They are truly addictive and worth the extra effort! Thank you for sharing such a fantastic recipe!
Hi Marlene, Thanks for sharing the love of these cookies! They are so good!
Fantastic cookie. I did not brown the butter; I may have made measurement mistake on flour. The dough sat 24 hrs.. So firm afterwards. I got out my rolling pin and rolled them 1/2″ thick and use pizza cutter to shape squares 340degree 11-12 min. Kept eye on them. Nice tollhouse twist. Thanks. This is a keeper!