Pecan Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe

Quick & Tasty Pecan Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe for Bakers

Pecan chocolate delight cookies combine rich, nutty flavors with decadent sweetness that dance across your palate.

Sweet meets savory in this irresistible treat that promises pure indulgence.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a delightful textural contrast that makes these cookies memorable.

Roasted pecans add incredible depth and crunch to every delectable bite.

Melted chocolate weaves through the dough, creating pockets of rich, molten goodness that surprise and delight.

Perfectly balanced ingredients elevate simple baking into a culinary adventure You can want to experience.

Warm from the oven, these cookies beckon with an aroma that fills your kitchen with pure comfort.

Explore this recipe and let your taste buds celebrate a truly extraordinary dessert experience.

Pecan Chocolate Cookies You’ll Make on Repeat

  • Indulge in the perfect marriage of sweet chocolate chunks and toasty pecans, creating a multi-layered taste experience that dances across your palate with every single bite.
  • Enjoy the convenience of chilling the dough for 12 hours, which not only intensifies the cookie's flavors but also gives you flexibility in baking preparation, making these cookies perfect for busy home bakers.
  • Delight in the incredible contrast between crispy golden edges and soft, chewy centers, enhanced by the delightful crunch of chopped pecans and smooth chocolate chunks scattered throughout each cookie.
  • With simple mixing techniques and basic ingredients, you can transform ordinary cookie-baking into an impressive culinary moment that looks and tastes like something from a professional bakery.

What You’ll Need to Bake Pecan Chocolate Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base structure for the cookie, providing a soft and tender texture.
  • Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds moisture and helps create a rich, soft cookie with enhanced flavor.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking, creating a light texture.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create a creamy, sweet base with deep caramel undertones. Use softened, high-quality butter for best results.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor to complement the chocolate and pecans.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookies.
Mix-Ins:
  • Pecans, Chocolate Chunks: Add crunch, richness, and layers of flavor. Choose roasted pecans for extra depth and high-quality chocolate for best taste. Chop into varied sizes for textural interest.

Instructions for Chewy, Chocolatey, Nutty Cookies

Step 1: Create Your Dry Magic Blend

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. This magical mixture will be the secret foundation of your incredible cookies.

Step 2: Whip Up a Creamy Butter Sensation

Pull out your electric mixer and transform the softened butter into a fluffy cloud. Add both sugars and vanilla, then beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture looks light and dreamy. Scrape down the bowl’s sides to make sure nothing gets left behind.

Step 3: Dance with the Eggs

Crack eggs one by one into the creamy butter mixture. Let each egg become best friends with the batter before adding the next.

Step 4: Marry the Dry and Wet Worlds

Slowly introduce your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Start mixing at a low speed to prevent a flour explosion. Once everything is combined, kick the mixer into high gear for about a minute to create a perfect cookie dough.

Step 5: Sprinkle in the Good Stuff

Gently fold in the chopped pecans and chocolate chunks. Think of this as tucking delicious treasures into your cookie dough blanket.

Step 6: Chill Out

Cover your dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for 12 hours. This is like a flavor vacation for your cookies – they’ll come back more delicious than ever!

Step 7: Prepare the Baking Stage

Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect landing spot for your cookie mounds.

Step 8: Shape and Bake

Scoop out cookie dough using an ice cream scoop or tablespoons. Place mounds about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Slide into the oven and bake for 14-16 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden color.

Step 9: Cool and Conquer

Let the cookies hang out on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack where they can show off their beautiful texture and flavor.

  • Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the dough for 12 hours to allow ingredients to meld, creating deeper, more complex cookie taste.
  • Precise Mixing Matters: Beat butter and sugars for exactly 2-3 minutes to create a light, fluffy base that ensures tender cookies.
  • Gentle Ingredient Incorporation: Gradually add dry ingredients on low speed to prevent flour clouds and maintain a smooth, even dough texture.
  • Strategic Chocolate Distribution: Fold pecans and chocolate chunks by hand to ensure even spread, giving each bite a perfect balance of crunch and sweetness.
  • Baking Precision Pays Off: Watch cookies closely during the 14-16 minute bake time, removing when edges are just golden to maintain a soft, chewy center.

Best Ways to Store Pecan Chocolate Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
  • Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, freshly-baked texture.

Drinks and Snacks to Serve with These Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve these rich, nutty cookies alongside a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream to balance the chocolate and pecan intensity.
  • Complement with Caramel Macchiato: The sweet, coffee-infused drink wonderfully enhances the deep chocolate and toasty pecan flavors in these cookies.
  • Match with Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices in chai create a delightful contrast with the sweet, buttery cookie texture, elevating the overall tasting experience.
  • Enjoy with Aged Port Wine: For an elegant dessert pairing, the rich, sweet notes of port wine beautifully complement the chocolate and nutty undertones of the cookies.

Ideas to Upgrade Pecan Chocolate Cookies

  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace chocolate chunks with caramel bits and add extra chopped pecans for a rich, sweet crunch that amplifies the cookie's texture.
  • Espresso Pecan Power: Mix in finely ground espresso powder to the dry ingredients and swap half the vanilla with coffee extract, creating a deep, robust flavor profile perfect for coffee lovers.
  • Maple Walnut Swap: Substitute pecans with toasted walnuts and drizzle maple syrup into the dough, adding a warm, woodsy undertone that complements the nutty base.
  • Sea Salt Chocolate Edition: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the cookies right after baking and use dark chocolate chunks instead of standard chocolate, intensifying the sweet-savory balance.
  • Why do I need to chill the cookie dough for 12 hours?

Chilling the dough helps develop deeper flavors and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flour to fully absorb the moisture, resulting in a more consistent and delicious texture.

  • Can I substitute pecans with another nut?

Absolutely! Walnuts work great as an alternative. If you have a nut allergy, you can skip nuts entirely or replace them with chocolate chips or dried fruit for added crunch and flavor.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for light golden edges and a slightly soft center. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, so don’t overbake them. They should look slightly underdone when you first remove them from the oven.

  • How long can I store these cookies?

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 weeks, making them a great make-ahead treat.

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Pecan Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe

Pecan Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet Southern charm meets chocolate indulgence in these irresistible pecan chocolate delight cookies. Crisp pecans and rich chocolate chips meld together, creating a blissful treat you’ll savor with pure pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups pecan halves, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups chocolate chunks
  • 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour

Sweeteners:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed

Baking and Flavoring Agents:

  • 1 3.4 ounces (96 grams) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Craft a harmonious base by whisking flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and lump-free.
  2. Utilize an electric mixer to transform softened butter, granulated and brown sugars, and vanilla into a velvety, pale cream. Vigorously beat for 2-3 minutes, periodically scraping bowl edges to ensure uniform texture.
  3. Introduce eggs individually into the creamed mixture, meticulously blending each before adding the next to maintain a smooth consistency.
  4. Gently incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture using low mixer speed, preventing flour from dispersing. Gradually increase speed and mix for approximately one minute to create a cohesive dough.
  5. Tenderly fold chopped pecans and chocolate chunks throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution for consistent flavor in every bite.
  6. Seal dough in an airtight container and refrigerate for 12 hours, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm for easier handling.
  7. Warm the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
  8. Scoop dough using a medium ice cream scoop, creating uniform mounds spaced two inches apart on prepared sheets.
  9. Bake 14-16 minutes until edges turn golden and centers appear slightly soft.
  10. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to stabilize and achieve perfect texture.

Notes

  • Dough requires a 12-hour chilling period to enhance flavor complexity and improve texture, so plan ahead and be patient with the preparation process.
  • Softening butter completely ensures smooth creaming and prevents lumpy cookie dough, which impacts the final cookie’s delicate structure.
  • Chopping pecans and chocolate chunks manually allows for more consistent sizing and even distribution throughout the cookie, creating balanced bites.
  • Scraping down mixer bowl sides during creaming prevents ingredient clumping and guarantees a uniform, well-mixed cookie base.
  • Using parchment paper or silicone mats prevents cookie sticking and facilitates easy removal, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies without breaking.
  • Allowing cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after baking helps them stabilize and prevents crumbling during transfer to the cooling rack.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 198
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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