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Gooey Pecan Pie Cookies: The Best Handheld Holiday Treat

Close-up of a delicious pecan pie cookie with a buttery base and sticky pecan topping.
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Make these Pecan Pie Cookies for a simple, handheld dessert that captures all the buttery, nutty flavor of a classic pecan pie. These cookies feature a soft base and a rich, caramelized topping.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (for filling)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (for filling)
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  5. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each mound. Gently press down slightly to form a base shape.
  6. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture just begins to bubble and the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat immediately.
  7. Stir the pecan halves into the warm caramel filling mixture.
  8. Spoon about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of the pecan filling mixture onto the center of each cookie dough base.
  9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie base are lightly golden and the filling is bubbly.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The filling will set as it cools.

Notes

  • For a copycat style, make sure your cookie base is thick before adding the filling.
  • You can toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the filling for deeper flavor.
  • These are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain the gooey texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/pecan-pie-cookies/