Description
Indulgent pecan delight cookies bring Southern comfort to sweet cravings with their rich, buttery profile. Nutty pecans and creamy caramel notes create an irresistible treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks / 1 pound), room temperature
Sweeteners:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup confectioners sugar, sifted
Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 325F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to facilitate easy cookie removal.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and granulated sugar together using medium-speed mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture, approximately 3 minutes.
- Gradually introduce confectioners sugar into the creamed mixture, reducing mixer speed to prevent sugar plume.
- Elevate mixer speed to medium and incorporate cold water and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until ingredients harmonize completely.
- Switch mixer to low speed and gently integrate all-purpose flour into the creamy base, ensuring complete and smooth integration without overmixing.
- Pause the mixer and tenderly fold chopped pecans into the dough using a flexible spatula, acknowledging that a slightly crumbly texture is perfectly normal.
- Form the dough into a compact log and encase it securely in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to solidify and enhance flavor development.
- Extract the chilled dough and slice into uniform discs approximately 1/4 inch thick, strategically positioning them on the prepared baking sheet with generous spacing.
- Transfer cookies to the preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden-brown bottom with delicately pale edges.
- After baking, transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack and optionally dust with a light veil of confectioners sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least an hour to enhance flavor development and improve cookie texture.
- Use cold water to help maintain the butter’s consistency and create a tender, delicate cookie crumb.
- Chopped pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty richness that elevates these classic shortbread-style cookies.
- Watch closely during baking to prevent over-browning, as these delicate cookies can quickly turn from golden to burnt.
- Dust with powdered sugar after cooling for an elegant finishing touch that adds a sweet, delicate coating.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to preserve their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 107
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg