If you have a soft spot for bakery-style cookies brimming with gooey chocolate and the perfect nutty crunch, get ready to fall head over heels for these Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies. Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie that’s soft in the center, golden at the edges, and studded with just enough toasty pecans to make every bite feel like a cozy celebration. This recipe is a personal favorite for good reason: it’s irresistibly easy, totally reliable, and delivers those crave-worthy results every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the beautifully simple ingredients that make Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies so special. Each one plays its part in creating cookies with just the right chewy texture, rich flavor, and golden color. Don’t skip or swap if you want that perfect blend of comfort and decadence!
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure—measure carefully for the ideal chewy texture.
- Baking soda: Gives just enough lift, helping the cookies spread and puff beautifully.
- Salt: Intensifies all the flavors, balancing out the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Brings richness and moisture—room temperature makes mixing a breeze.
- Packed light brown sugar: The secret to that deep, caramel-like chewiness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds classic sweetness and encourages those slightly crisp edges.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add extra tenderness to the cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Gives warmth and aroma—the background note every cookie craves.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The crowd-pleaser—melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Chopped pecans (toasted, optional): Add crunch and buttery flavor; toasting really amplifies their nuttiness.
How to Make Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures a consistent bake for every batch. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—trust me, it makes cleanup a dream and gives you perfectly golden bottoms every time.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This quick step evenly distributes your leavening and ensures every Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie has the right lift and tenderness.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Grab a large mixing bowl and beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks pale and creamy. This is where the magic happens for those chewy centers—don’t rush it!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract. You’ll see the dough get fluffy and slightly glossy—proof that you’re on your way to cookie greatness.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet, stirring just until everything comes together—no overmixing! This helps each Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie stay soft and tender, not tough.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Pecans
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans. If you toasted your pecans, pat yourself on the back—you just added a layer of depth most cookies can only dream of.
Step 7: Portion the Dough and Bake
Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and set them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. For that bakery-worthy look, press a few extra chocolate chips and pecan pieces on top. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers look slightly underbaked (this is the secret to that chewy magic).
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—they’ll firm up but stay deliciously soft in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely, if you can resist sneaking one straight away!
How to Serve Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking takes these Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies to the next level. For extra flair, drizzle a bit of melted chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish.
Side Dishes
Serve your cookies warm with a tall glass of ice-cold milk or a mug of hot coffee for classic comfort. They also pair nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, turning an everyday treat into a showstopper dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies and tie with a ribbon for gifting, or arrange them on a platter layered with fresh berries and nuts for a festive touch. For parties, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies and roll the edges in mini chocolate chips for the ultimate cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft and chewy for up to five days. Place a slice of bread in the container if you want them extra soft; it really works!
Freezing
To save cookies for later, let them cool completely and freeze in a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer with just a couple of extra minutes in the oven.
Reheating
Revive your cookies by popping them in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes—the chocolate gets melty, and the cookies taste freshly baked. A quick 10-second zap in the microwave also works wonders when you’re short on time.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds are fantastic alternatives if you want to switch things up, though pecans really bring out the classic flavor in Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies.
How do I make the cookies even chewier?
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading and amplifies the chewy texture you’re after. It’s worth the wait, I promise!
Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Yes! Dark chocolate adds a bolder, less sweet note to these Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies. Feel free to mix and match according to your chocolate preference.
What’s the best way to toast pecans?
Toast chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Cool before adding to your dough for maximum crunch and flavor.
Do these cookies work with gluten-free flour?
You can substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in this recipe. The results may be slightly different in chewiness, but you’ll still end up with delicious cookies!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so welcoming about a batch of homemade Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies wafting from the oven. Whether you’re sharing them at a gathering or hoarding them for yourself (no judgment here!), give this recipe a whirl and watch these cookies become your new favorite too.
Print
Chewy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of chewy chocolate chip pecan cookies. These homemade treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings with a nutty twist.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted for extra flavor, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Combine and Fold: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, then fold in chocolate chips and pecans.
- Scoop and Bake: Place rounded tablespoons of dough on baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill dough for 30 minutes for extra chewiness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Press extra chocolate chips and pecan pieces on top for a bakery-style touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
