Gooey Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe

Ooey-Gooey Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe for Joy

Warm, freshly baked chocolate chip pecan cookies transport us straight to comfort food heaven with their irresistible aroma.

These delectable treats combine rich chocolate and crunchy pecans in a classic recipe that sings with homemade goodness.

Every bite promises a delightful dance of textures and flavors that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Sweet and buttery, these cookies carry the kind of nostalgic charm that whispers of childhood memories and lazy weekend afternoons.

The delicate balance of crisp edges and soft, gooey centers makes each cookie a small masterpiece of baking magic.

Chocolate lovers and pecan enthusiasts will find themselves unable to resist these mouthwatering morsels that are perfect for sharing or savoring in blissful solitude.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 25

For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy base that helps create soft, tender texture with deep flavor profile.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel undertones that contribute to chewy cookie consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Helps create crisp edges and enhances overall sweetness.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Elevates and deepens overall flavor complexity.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates fundamental structure and texture for cookie base.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking process.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavor notes.
For Mix-In Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips: Delivers bursts of rich, melty chocolate throughout cookie.
  • Pecans: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty warmth to complement sweet elements.

Tools That Make Baking Pecan Cookies Simple

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugars, and combining wet ingredients.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for beating butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Separate Mixing Bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
  • Baking Sheets: Two sheets lined with parchment paper for baking cookies.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for folding in chocolate chips and pecans.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
  • Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Ensures uniform cookie sizes.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  • Create a Butter Bliss

Whip softened butter with brown and white sugars until the mixture looks fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes of energetic mixing.

  • Introduce Egg

Drop in eggs one by one, blending thoroughly after each. Splash in vanilla for an extra flavor punch.

  • Blend Dry Ingredients

Gently mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly incorporate this powdery mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.

  • Welcome Chocolate and Pecan Friends

Tenderly fold chocolate chips and chopped pecans into the dough, creating delightful pockets of crunch and sweetness.

  • Shape and Bake Cookies

Scoop dough into golf ball-sized rounds, spacing them generously on baking sheets. Slide into the oven and bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden but centers remain slightly soft.

  • Cool and Devour

Let cookies rest briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to a cooling rack. Grab a cold glass of milk and enjoy these irresistible treats warm or at room temperature.

  • Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the dough for a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
  • Cookie dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 4 weeks, providing flexibility for spontaneous baking.
  • Replace all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Substitute butter with equal amounts of coconut oil or vegan butter to create a delicious dairy-free version without compromising texture.
  • Experiment with different cookie sizes – mini cookies bake faster and create cute bite-sized treats, while larger cookies provide a more indulgent experience with softer centers.

Serve Up Cookies Fresh from the Oven

  • Milk Pairing Perfection: Serve these warm, gooey cookies with a cold glass of whole milk or creamy almond milk for a classic, comforting treat that highlights the rich chocolate and nutty pecan flavors.
  • Dessert Platter Delight: Create a stunning cookie platter by arranging these chewy chocolate chip pecan cookies alongside other bite-sized treats like brownies or mini fruit tarts for a memorable dessert spread.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich: Transform these cookies into decadent ice cream sandwiches by gently pressing a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cooled cookies for an indulgent summer dessert.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack these cookies in cute mason jars or decorative tins with parchment paper, perfect for homemade gifts or sharing with friends and family during holidays or special occasions.

How to Store These Chewy Cookies the Smart Way

  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful chewy texture.
  • Wrap individual cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, freeze for 3 months, and bake directly from frozen state by adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
  • Place a slice of bread inside the storage container to help cookies stay soft and prevent them from becoming dry or crispy.
  • Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance, refrigerate in a sealed container, and bake when ready for maximum convenience and flavor preservation.

FAQs

  • Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and help cookies maintain their shape.

  • Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or macadamia nuts work great as substitutes. Each nut will bring a unique flavor and texture to your cookies.

  • How do I get a chewier texture in my cookies?

Use more brown sugar than white sugar. Brown sugar contains molasses, which helps retain moisture and creates a softer, chewier cookie. Also, slightly underbake the cookies so the centers remain soft.

  • What's the best way to measure flour for this recipe?

Always use the spoon and level method. Gently spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. This prevents packing too much flour, which can make cookies dry and tough.

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Gooey Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe

Gooey Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Irresistible Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies blend Southern comfort with classic sweetness. Rich pecans and premium chocolate create a memorable dessert experience for delighted bakers and cookie enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (340 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (120 grams) pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 1 cup (230 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Thermal Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
  2. Creaming Process: Whip softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
  3. Liquid Integration: Blend eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, ensuring complete incorporation and rich flavor development.
  4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt, then delicately fold into wet ingredients, mixing minimally to preserve tender cookie consistency.
  5. Mix-in Technique: Gently fold chocolate chips and pecans throughout the dough, distributing ingredients evenly for balanced flavor profile.
  6. Baking Execution: Shape dough into uniform rounds, strategically placed on prepared sheets, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain soft.
  7. Cooling Protocol: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize structure, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling, achieving the quintessential chewy texture.

Notes

Ensure Butter Softness: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to achieve optimal creaming consistency and smooth dough texture.

Prevent Overmixing: Stop mixing dry and wet ingredients the moment they combine to maintain tender, chewy cookie structure and prevent tough, dense results.

Control Pecan Crunch: Lightly toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a more intense, deeper taste profile in the final cookie.

Consistent Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform dough portions, ensuring even baking and consistent texture across all cookies.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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