Irresistible Pecan Toffee Cookies: Easy Homemade Recipe

I grew up enjoying my grandmother’s homemade toffee. It was a holiday treat that I enjoyed every year. No matter what time of year it is when I make these browned butter pecan toffee cookies, I am immediately transported to Christmas at my grandmother’s. These cookies are loaded with buttery goodness, and the crunch of toffee bits and pecans.

How to Make Pecan Toffee Cookies

The secret to browned butter pecan toffee cookies is of course the browned butter. Browning the butter gives it a toffee flavor. These cookies also have toffee bits, but the browned butter gives extra toffee flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter browned and cooled
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 ½ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup toffee chips
• ⅓ cup chopped pecans
• Sea salt flakes optional

Step by Step Process

Step One: In a small saucepan, heat the butter over low heat and cook for 7-10 minutes. Stir frequently until the butter turns golden brown. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer to a small bowl to allow the butter to cool until it solidifies.

Step Two: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat some more. Scrape down the sides of the bowl before adding the vanilla. Mix to combine.

Step 3: Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

Step 4: Use a spatula, or spoon, to stir in the toffee chips and pecans.

Step 5: Chill the dough for at least an hour before baking. Letting the dough chill overnight is even better.

Step 6: When ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 7: Use a 1 ½” tablespoon cookie scoop to create evenly sized cookie balls. Place the cookie dough onto the baking sheets, leaving about 2-3” in between cookies.

Step 8: Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden. The center should still be soft and look under done. Remove and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to allow the cookies to set.

Step 9: Optional: Sprinkle the tops with a small amount of sea salt flakes.

Step 10: Place the cookies on a cooling rack to cool completely.

These cookies are best when eaten right away, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Tips for Success

Toast the pecans at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. Toasting nuts always enhances their flavor.

I know it may seem like an extra step to brown the butter, but truly the secret to browned butter pecan toffee cookies, is browning the butter. Don’t feel intimidated if you’ve never done it before. You just need to heat the butter over low heat until it turns a dark golden color. You’ll be able to smell when the butter is ready too.

Once the butter is a deep, golden color, transfer it to a bowl so that it can cool. The butter needs to cool in order to proceed with the rest of the recipe. You can use light brown sugar if that’s all you have on hand, but dark brown sugar gives the cookies extra flavor.

When the cookies are out of the oven and cooling on the baking sheet, add a sprinkle of sea salt. This is optional and you don’t have to do it, but sea salt flakes give the cookies another boost of flavor. You can see how all of these little things come together to make these pecan toffee cookies loaded with flavor.

I have no doubt that these browned butter pecan toffee cookies will become one of your favorite recipes. For me they have all of the flavors and textures that I want in a cookie. A soft, buttery cookie that has crispier edges but a soft center. Mixed with the toffee flavor of the cookie are crunchy pecans and toffee bits. It really is an explosion of flavor in every bite, and I think your friends and family will rave about these pecan toffee cookies. I hope you enjoy them!

More recipes to try:

Here are a few more cookie recipes you may like. 

​Chocolate Chunk Pecan Brownies

Caramel Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Frosted Rocky Road Brownies

PB Cup Brownies

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

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