Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are rich, buttery, chewy cookies packed with melty chocolate chips and crunchy toasted pecans. They have crisp golden edges, soft centers, and a warm nutty flavor that makes them perfect for holidays, bake sales, family gatherings, or an everyday homemade treat.
These Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies use simple pantry ingredients and come together without complicated techniques. Toasting the pecans gives them deeper flavor, while brown sugar helps create a soft, chewy center. A short chilling time also helps the cookies hold their shape and develop a thicker bakery-style texture.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
Optional Finishing Touches
- Extra chocolate chips
- Extra chopped pecans
- Flaky sea salt
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies combine everything people love about classic chocolate chip cookies with the extra crunch and buttery flavor of pecans. The contrast between soft cookie centers and toasted nuts makes every bite more interesting.
Another reason to love Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies is how dependable they are. The dough can be prepared ahead, chilled, frozen, and baked whenever you want fresh cookies. They are easy to adjust with dark chocolate, walnuts, or sea salt.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Step 1: Toast the Pecans
Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C.
Spread the pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before chopping.
Toasting gives the cookies a deeper, richer nut flavor than using raw pecans.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Add softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to a large mixing bowl.
Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture looks lighter and fluffy.
This step adds air to the dough and helps create a tender texture.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula so everything is evenly combined.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Whisking the dry ingredients first helps distribute the leavening evenly throughout the dough.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two or three additions.
Mix on low speed just until no large streaks of flour remain.
Avoid overmixing because too much mixing can make Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies tougher instead of soft and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Pecans
Add the chocolate chips and chopped toasted pecans.
Use a spatula to fold them gently through the dough.
Make sure the chocolate and nuts are evenly distributed so every cookie gets a good mix.
Step 7: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
Chilling helps Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies spread less in the oven and creates a thicker, chewier center.
If you prefer an even thicker cookie, chill the dough for 1 to 2 hours.
Step 8: Prepare the Baking Sheets
Line large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop the chilled dough into portions of about 2 tablespoons each.
Roll lightly into balls and place them about 2 inches apart.
Press a few extra chocolate chips or pecan pieces onto the tops if desired.
Step 9: Bake Until Golden
Bake at 350°F or 175°C for 10 to 12 minutes.
The edges should look lightly golden, while the centers should still appear slightly soft.
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies continue to cook on the hot baking sheet after they come out of the oven, so avoid baking until the centers look completely firm.
Step 10: Add Sea Salt
If you enjoy a sweet-salty contrast, sprinkle a tiny amount of flaky sea salt over the warm cookies.
The salt enhances the chocolate and toasted pecan flavors.
Step 11: Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
Transfer them to a wire rack and cool for another 10 to 15 minutes.
This resting time allows Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies to set while keeping the centers soft.
Serving Suggestions
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are delicious warm, at room temperature, or slightly reheated.
Serve them with cold milk, coffee, hot chocolate, or tea for a classic snack.
For dessert, pair Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies with vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, or a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.
You can also pack them into lunchboxes or arrange them on a holiday cookie tray.
For another easy Mediterranean-style dinner, try our Dump and Bake Lemon Feta Chicken Orzo with tender chicken, creamy orzo, lemon, herbs, and feta.
Recipe Tips
Use softened butter for the best texture.
Measure flour carefully. Too much flour can make cookies dry and dense.
Toast the pecans before adding them to the dough.
Use a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate if you want deeper chocolate flavor.
For bakery-style results, scoop larger portions and chill them well before baking.
Do not overbake. Slightly soft centers will firm as the cookies cool.
Use parchment paper for even baking and easier cleanup.
Let baking sheets cool between batches so fresh dough does not begin melting before it enters the oven.
Easy Variations
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are easy to customize.
Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or chocolate chunks.
Replace pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for a warmer flavor.
A small amount of espresso powder can deepen the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste strongly like coffee.
For an extra indulgent version, add toffee bits or caramel pieces.
You can also turn them into holiday cookies by adding dried cranberries or orange zest.
You may also enjoy our Broccoli & Cheddar Savory Muffins for a cheesy, veggie-packed snack, breakfast, or side dish.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are excellent for make-ahead baking.
Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
You can also scoop the dough into individual balls and freeze them on a tray until firm.
Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 2 months.
Bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Storage and Freezing
Store baked Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers if stacking them.
For longer storage, freeze fully cooled cookies for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a softer texture.
You can also freeze the cookie dough and bake only the amount you need.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per cookie:
Calories: 245
Protein: 3 g
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the chocolate, pecans, butter, and exact cookie size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Yes. Walnuts work very well and give the cookies a slightly different nutty flavor.
Do I have to chill the dough?
Chilling is strongly recommended because it helps control spreading and gives Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies a thicker texture.
Can I use chocolate chunks instead of chips?
Yes. Chocolate chunks create larger pockets of melted chocolate and work beautifully in this recipe.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
The butter may have been too warm, the dough may not have been chilled long enough, or the baking sheet may have been hot.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Freeze scooped dough balls for up to 2 months and bake from frozen.
Can I make smaller cookies?
Yes. Use smaller portions and reduce the baking time by 1 to 2 minutes.
How do I keep the cookies soft?
Do not overbake them and store them in an airtight container once completely cool.
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are a simple homemade dessert with crisp edges, chewy centers, toasted pecans, and plenty of melted chocolate.
Because Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies can be made ahead, frozen, and customized with different chocolates or nuts, they are perfect for holidays, parties, bake sales, and everyday treats.
Keep this Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies recipe handy whenever you want a classic cookie with an extra buttery crunch from toasted pecans.
With rich brown sugar flavor, melty chocolate, crisp edges, and nutty pecans, Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are the kind of homemade treat that disappears quickly from the cookie jar.
