Maple pecan cookies are cozy, nutty, and lightly sweet.
Soft maple-flavored dough studded with crunchy pecans creates a rich, comforting flavor perfect for mornings, coffee breaks, or sharing with friends.
Simple to make and full of character, maple pecan cookies are ideal for casual gatherings or an indulgent weekday treat. A touch of coarse sugar on top adds a delightful crunch.
Bite into maple pecan cookies and enjoy the cozy combination of sweet maple and toasted pecans in every bite.
How to Make Maple Pecan Cookies
Warm maple flavor and toasted pecans make these cookies deeply comforting and rich. They bake up soft with just the right crunch in every bite.
f cozy flavors are your thing, let’s start baking!
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How to Get Your Maple Pecan Cookies Just Right
Maple Pecan Cookies are a balance of soft, chewy centers and lightly crisp edges with nutty, rich flavor.
Follow these expert tips to ensure perfect cookies every time:
1. Ingredient Tips
- Butter & Sugar: Creaming the butter and brown sugar properly is key for a light, tender texture. Don’t skip this step.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup for best flavor. Avoid imitation syrup, which can make the dough overly sweet or watery.
- Flour Measurement: Spoon and level flour for accuracy—too much flour can make cookies dry, too little can make them spread too much.
2. Mixing & Dough Handling
- Don’t overmix: Fold in the dry ingredients gently to prevent tough cookies. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cookies dense.
- Pecans: Toast pecans lightly in a dry pan beforehand to enhance their flavor, or leave them raw for a softer nutty bite.
3. Portioning & Baking
- Even Sizes: Use a large cookie scoop for uniform cookies. This ensures even baking and consistent texture.
- Spacing: Place dough balls at least 3 inches apart to prevent them from merging in the oven.
- Bake Time: Bake until edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly soft. Cookies will continue to cook on the tray, resulting in chewy centers. Overbaking leads to dry cookies.
4. Shaping & Finishing Touches
- Round Cookies: For bakery-style round cookies, gently nudge them into shape with a circular object immediately after baking.
- Cooling: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes before moving to a wire rack. This helps them set without breaking.
5. Optional Icing Tips
- Cream Cheese Icing: Ensure the cookies are fully cooled before adding icing. Warm cookies can cause the icing to melt and slide off.
- Drizzle vs. Dip: Drizzling creates a lighter, decorative finish, while dipping gives a thicker coating and richer bite.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking, which dries out the centers.
- Using cold eggs or butter directly from the fridge, which can prevent proper mixing.
- Skipping the parchment paper or silicone mat—cookies can stick and lose their shape.
- Adding too many nuts, which can alter the texture and prevent proper spreading.
By following these tips, your Maple Pecan Cookies will come out soft, flavorful, and perfectly nutty with golden edges every time.
Maple Pecan Cookies
14
servings15
minutes10
minutesLooking for nutty, sweet perfection? These maple pecan cookies are soft, chewy, and full of maple and toasted pecans.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
2½ cups all-purpose flour (312.5 g)
1½ cups chopped pecans (163.5 g)
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed (200 g)
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113.5 g)
½ cup pure maple syrup (118.29 ml)
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cream Cheese Icing (Optional):
½ cup powdered sugar (60 g)
1 tablespoon cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon milk
Directions
- Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment for 1–2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until combined, then pour in the maple syrup and stir until smooth.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the flour is mostly incorporated. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and ensure everything is evenly mixed. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Using a large cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 3 inches apart. Bake for 10–14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may appear soft or slightly underbaked—this is normal, as they will firm up while cooling.
- For perfectly round cookies, gently guide them into shape immediately after removing from the oven using a circular object like a sifter or biscuit cutter.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cream Cheese Icing (Optional):
- In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the powdered sugar and milk until fully combined and silky.
- Drizzle the icing over cooled cookies or dip the tops directly for a decadent finish.
Variation Tips
These Maple Pecan Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can easily tweak flavors, textures, or ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Here are some ideas:
1. Flavor Variations
- Spice it up: Add ½ teaspoon ground ginger, allspice, or cloves along with the cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor.
- Chocolate lovers: Fold in ½–1 cup of chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- Citrus twist: Add 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange or lemon zest to the dough for a bright, refreshing note.
2. Nut Swaps & Additions
- Substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for a different nutty profile.
- Toast the nuts lightly in a dry pan or oven for extra depth of flavor.
- Mix in ¼ cup of shredded coconut for a chewy, tropical twist.
3. Texture Tweaks
- Chewier cookies: Use a little less flour (reduce by 1–2 tablespoons) or slightly underbake them.
- Crispier edges: Flatten the dough balls slightly before baking and bake for an extra 1–2 minutes.
- Chunky cookies: Add extra chopped pecans or chocolate chips for a more substantial bite.
4. Dietary Adjustments
- Vegan: Replace butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and swap the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Consider adding ¼ tsp xanthan gum if the blend doesn’t already include it.
- Lower Sugar: Use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute for a slightly healthier option; keep in mind this may affect browning and texture slightly.
5. Optional Icing & Toppings
- Drizzle maple glaze (maple syrup + powdered sugar) instead of cream cheese icing for a pure maple punch.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar, chopped nuts, or a pinch of cinnamon on top before baking for extra crunch and visual appeal.
- Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate for a decadent finish.
Storage Tips
Maple Pecan Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but proper storage ensures they stay soft, flavorful, and nutty for days. Here’s how to keep them at their best:
1. Room Temperature
- Store cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days.
- If stacking, separate layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking and meringue (if added) from breaking.
- Keep away from direct sunlight or heat sources to avoid melting or softening the butter too much.
2. Refrigeration
- Place cookies in a single layer on a tray or plate and cover with plastic wrap or an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Refrigeration keeps the cookies firm and extends their shelf life, especially in warmer climates.
- Allow cookies to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
3. Freezing
- Cookie dough: Scoop dough into balls and freeze on a tray for 30–60 minutes. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months and baked directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Baked cookies: Freeze in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for 2–3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Iced cookies: Avoid freezing cookies with cream cheese icing already applied, as it can change texture. Pipe icing after thawing instead.
4. Reheating Tips
- Warm refrigerated cookies in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 3–5 minutes to refresh the texture and aroma.
- Avoid microwaving, which can make cookies soft or soggy.
5. Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid
- Storing cookies uncovered, which causes them to dry out quickly.
- Stacking cookies without protection, which can crush nuts or icing.
- Freezing cookies with icing applied, which can separate or become watery upon thawing.
By following these storage tips, your Maple Pecan Cookies will remain soft, flavorful, and perfectly nutty, even several days after baking.
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FAQs
Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
Yes! Walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts can be substituted for pecans. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding them enhances their flavor and aroma.
How can I make these cookies vegan or egg-free?
For a vegan version, replace butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and swap the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water). Note that texture may be slightly different, but cookies will still be soft and flavorful.
Why are my cookies spreading too much or staying too thick?
Spreading can happen if the butter is too soft or the dough is overmixed. If cookies are too thick, try slightly flattening the dough balls before baking. Accurate flour measurement is also key—spoon and level your flour for best results.
How should I store these cookies to keep them fresh?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies or dough for 2–3 months. Avoid stacking without parchment to protect the nuts and any icing.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare and freeze the dough in advance or bake the cookies and store them for later. If using cream cheese icing, pipe it onto the cookies after they are fully cooled or after thawing from the freezer for best results.
