Fall Dessert Recipes

Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies

Millie Pham

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What You’ll Need

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans (toasted if you like)

Why I Love This Recipe

These cookies are rich, nutty, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet. I’ve made them over and over again because:

  • The brown butter adds deep, toasted flavor
  • Maple syrup gives them a cozy, natural sweetness
  • Pecans bring texture and crunch
  • They freeze well and still taste amazing
  • No mixer required!
Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies

Servings and Time

Makes: About 24 cookies
Total Time: 45 minutes (includes chilling)

Macros (Per Cookie – Approximate)

Calories: 185
Fat: 11g
Carbs: 21g
Protein: 2g
Sugar: 12g

Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

Brown butter goes through the Maillard reaction, creating nutty, rich flavor compounds.
An extra egg yolk gives the cookies chewiness and richness.
Maple syrup adds moisture and subtle flavor.
Chilling the dough helps the fat solidify, so the cookies spread less and bake up thick and chewy.

Common Mistakes

Skipping chill time — your cookies will spread too much
Not browning the butter enough — it should be golden and nutty, not just melted
Using hot brown butter — this can cook the eggs
Overmixing the dough — it can make the cookies tough

What to Serve With

Hot maple latte or strong coffee
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
Warm apple cider
Cold glass of milk

FAQ

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill it up to 48 hours in the fridge.

Can I freeze them?
Yep — freeze dough balls or baked cookies for up to 2 months.

Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Any chopped nut will work.

Tools You’ll Need

Medium saucepan
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Rubber spatula
Measuring cups & spoons
Cookie scoop (optional)
Baking sheet
Parchment paper

Substitutions and Variations

Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds
Add ½ cup chocolate chips
Use light brown sugar if needed
Sprinkle flaky salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty finish

Make Ahead Tips

Brown the butter the night before
Refrigerate dough up to 2 days
Freeze portioned dough balls and bake straight from the freezer

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Butter

Melt 1 cup unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly as it melts, foams, and turns golden with brown bits on the bottom (about 6–8 minutes). Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Let cool until just warm.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt.

Step 3: Mix Sugars, Eggs, Maple & Vanilla Into the Brown Butter

In a separate bowl, whisk the cooled brown butter with 1 cup packed dark brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar until smooth. Then whisk in 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, and 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract until creamy and well blended.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together gently until no dry streaks remain — don’t overmix.

Step 5: Stir in Pecans

Fold in 1 cup chopped pecans until evenly distributed in the dough.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 48 hours. This keeps the cookies from spreading and gives more flavor.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into 1.5 tbsp balls and space them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers just set.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool fully on a wire rack. Then serve with coffee, milk, or wrap them up as sweet little gifts.

Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies

Leftovers & Storage

Keep cookies in an airtight container for 4–5 days
Freeze baked cookies or raw dough balls up to 2 months
Reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel

Wrap-Up

These Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies are like a warm, buttery hug with a maple twist. They’re chewy, nutty, golden on the edges — everything a cookie should be. Try them out, then drop a comment to let me know how they turned out or if you have any questions. I’d love to hear from you!

Hi there! I'm Millie Pham, a devoted brewer and tea lover at heart. As the founder of Bean Leaf Cup, my mission is to share my tea and coffee expertise with you all. I firmly believe that creating a fantastic cup of tea or coffee should be easy for everyone. No matter if you're already a coffee or tea expert or just beginning your journey, I'm here to help you navigate the world of brewing. Welcome aboard!