Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Nutty for these chocolate pecan cookies.

This recipe for chocolate chip pecan cookies bakes up a batch of chewy cookies loaded with crunchy pecans and rich chocolate chips for an easy but oh-so special cookie. Get this recipe.

Meet this chocolate chip pecan cookie recipe

Nutty pecans and rich dark chocolate are one of baking’s all-time best flavor combinations.

Mixing chocolate and nuts with a soft vanilla cookie batter builds this easy recipe for chocolate chip pecan cookies into one of the best, most satisfying and delicious ways to enjoy cookies — thanks to the texture combination of soft cookie dough and chunky nuts and chips, plus all the good flavors.

For another wonderful dessert with the same nutty, chocolate flavors, get this fudgy Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie recipe.

These classic chocolate chip pecan cookies come together easily, and follow a standard creaming method. This means that:

• The softened butter and sugar are whisked until lightened, followed by adding the eggs, vanilla, and salt
• Then, the dry ingredients (the baking soda and flour mixture) are added
• Finally, the pecans and chocolate chips are folded into the cookie dough before the cookies are scooped, baked, and enjoyed.

In addition to the nutty, chocolate-y flavor complemented with a fragrant vanilla aroma — your kitchen will smell fantastic as these cookies bake — these cookies freeze well and stay fresh for several days in an airtight container.

Read on for some more details about making these pecan chocolate chip cookies.

You may also like: How to Make Homemade Chocolate-Covered Pretzels and Homemade Cookies + Cream Ice Cream

Choosing the right ingredients for these chocolate chip pecan cookies

Ingredient quality always matters when cooking and baking. For this classic drop cookie recipe, be sure to use large eggs, good butter that’s been softened to room temperature, pure vanilla extract, fresh pecans, and quality dark (semi-sweet) chocolate chips; I prefer Ghirardelli or Guittard brands.

Avoid milk chocolate chips, which will taste too bland in the finished cookies, and nuts that have been sitting around too long in your pantry, as these could become rancid. (Pro tip: store your nuts in the refrigerator.)

What makes cookies chewy instead of crispy?

Crisp cookies have their pros, of course, but I am a total sucker for a soft, chewy cookies. Knowing what makes cookies chewy instead of crispy is a question of ingredients and method.

The answer lies in a several factors, including the 1) ratio of liquifiers (fats, sugar) to dry ingredients; 2) the amount of baking time; and 3) the temperature at which the cookies are baked.

Baking temperature and cookie dough temperature.

Baking cookies at a slightly higher temperature (375 degrees Fahrenheit, instead of a more standard 350 degrees, for example) allows them to bake before the oven dries them out, and also helps keep the centers slightly under-baked relative to the exterior of the cookie.

Chilling the cookie dough once scooped can also help keep an extra soft center by delaying the baking time for the cookie dough balls’ centers.

Baking time.

As for time, the range here is 10 to 12 minutes. Ten minutes will give you a paler, slightly softer white chocolate chip cookie, just about, but not quite under-baked. That said, all ovens are different; make sure the tops look dry and the bottoms are slightly golden in color.

Ingredients: Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need for this classic chocolate chip pecan cookie recipe. Note that this recipe yields about two dozen cookies.

• 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces; 12 tbsp.) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal brand; Morton’s and table salt will be too salty)
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. baking soda (no baking powder needed!)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet chocolate chips)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Ingredient substitutions and notes

You can substitute walnuts for the pecans, and white or milk chocolate chocolate chips for the dark chocolate – or do a combination – if you’d like to riff on the cookie recipe ingredients.

I do not recommend using dark brown sugar here in place of light brown sugar. I find the flavor of dark brown sugar too robust. In a pinch, you could substitute up to half the light brown sugar for dark, but I caution against more.

If you’d like to gild the lily, a very light sprinkle of Maldon salt on top would not go amiss.

Instructions for This Cookie Recipe

1. In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat or whisk the wet ingredients — soft butter, sugar, light brown sugar, and salt — on medium to medium-high speed until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and continue to beat until fully mixed and lightened. Scrape the bowl.
2. Add the dry ingredients (the flour and baking soda), and stir on the stand mixer’s lowest speed until the flour mixture is mostly combined into the liquid ingredients. Add the chocolate chips and pecans, and continue to mix on low just until the cookie dough and mix-ins are evenly distributed. Do not over mix; just stir the dough by hand with a spatula at the end if necessary.
3. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop cookies onto parchment paper-lined or greased baking sheets. Chill the dough if you’d like less spread and chewier centers. Place in a preheated 375 degree F oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Let the cookies set up on the cookie sheet for a minute or two, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Store your cooled, baked cookies in an airtight container. They will keep for several days. You can also freeze them for up to three months.

How to Store These Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

You can enjoy these chocolate pecan cookies for several days stored at room temperature in an airtight container. They also freeze well. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer, and defrost at room temperature, never in the fridge.

Like these chocolate nut cookies? You’ll also like these favorite cookie recipes:

• Cowboy Cookie Bars
• Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
• White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Shortbread Butter Pecan Cookies