Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Crispy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies make it hard to keep your hand out of the cookie jar. Self-rising flour makes them easy.

Crispy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

The crispy texture makes Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies irresistible.

Reminiscent of the classic cookie, Pecan Sandies, but are made even better with mini chocolate chips and plenty of toasty, crunchy pecans, this cookie recipe can be made using self-rising flour for ease or with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Either way, I'll show you the way to cookie greatness.

Typically, I prefer chewy cookies with lots of dark chocolate chips. Give me soft and chewy Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies or the soft and novel Bacon Grease Chocolate Chip Cookies. But these little crispy gems are an exception to my chewy cookie rule.

As you can imagine, this farmhouse gets lots of desserts to sample as I'm always working on new cookie recipes. So when someone comes over, I'm always sending home a baggie or plate of food. I often wonder if the delivery people like coming here or think it's weird.

When I made Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies for the blog post, I sent a baggie of them home with a visitor. When Cowboy came home he got a few and then was searching all over for the rest.

He was not a happy camper when he found out I had shared them. He claims they are one of my best cookies. They are certainly on his favorite cookie list.

Crispy Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies will be a standout on a cookie tray this holiday season.

I'll let you be the judge. Let me know what you think.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

• I usually stir my cookie dough by hand with a wooden spoon so I have better control over the amount of stirring. If you must use an electric mixer, the amount of mixing should be minimal when adding the egg, flour, pecans, and chocolate chips.
• Ensure the baking sheets are cool when scooping dough onto them to prevent cookies from spreading out before they enter the oven. I find it helpful to rotate 2 cookie sheets, allowing 1 to cool while one bakes.
• Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack before storing to prevent them from sticking to each other.

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

• Unsalted Butter--room temperature butter is best for mixing. If it's soft enough you can easily stir in the sugar by hand.
• Shortening--adds to the crispy texture of this cookie
• White Sugar--can't have sweet cookies without sugar
• Light or Dark Brown Sugar--creates the classic chocolate chip cookie dough flavor
• Large Egg--make sure you use large eggs when baking
• Vanilla--always pure vanilla extract
• All-Purpose Flour--***If you use self-rising flour, eliminate the baking powder and salt
• Baking Powder--important to make your cookies rise
• Kosher Salt--off sets the sweetness and rounds out the flavors
• Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips--I like the dainty, mini chips for this smaller cookie. Use milk chocolate chips, if preferred.
• Pecans, finely chopped

How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and shortening together.
2. Add the sugars to the butter mixture and stir well.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla, just until combined.
4. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined. ***If using self-rising flour, eliminate the baking powder and salt.
5. Fold in mini chocolate chips and finely chopped pecans.
6. Using a small cookie scoop, drop onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake cookies at 375 degrees F for 9-11 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
7. Cool for 1-2 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing them to a wire cooling rack.

VARIATIONS

If you love a good sweet and salty treat, sprinkly flake sea salt on top of each cookie for Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies.

This cookie dough recipe is a gem for any variety of cookies you enjoy! Use it as a base and add in any stir-ins of your choice. Some you might consider:

• Craisins and dark chocolate chunks
• Butterscotch chips
• Vary your nuts--use walnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, etc.

STORAGE

Cookies store well in an airtight container for up to one week. But if you have cookies that last a whole week in your house, we are not cut from the same cloth.

Freezing Cookies

Prepare cookies for baking later by putting cookie dough balls on large baking sheets and placing the cookie sheet in the freezer. After the cookie balls are frozen, transfer the unbaked cookie dough balls to a freezer bag.

This allows you to bake only a few at a time whenever you want a fresh cookie. Bake as directed.

Hint: Write the baking temperature and cooking time on the freezer bag for reference when baking.

FAQ

My cookies are flat and crunchy, what did I do wrong?

Be sure to preheat your oven for 15 minutes or so before baking. You can check to be sure your oven is baking at the proper temperature by testing it with an oven thermometer.

Also, make sure your cookie sheets are completely cool before placing your balls of dough.

My cookies are dry and crumbly, what did I do wrong?

Make sure you carefully measure your flour. I never weigh my flour when cooking, but I am very careful to stir, scoop carefully, and never tap my flour.

My cookies didn't raise and are flat, what happened?

Make sure your baking soda is fresh. Each container has an expiration date on it, you better check yours.

If your baking soda is expired, use it for cleaning or to freshen your fridge, but do NOT use if for baking.

EQUIPMENT

Cookie Sheets are so handy to have around. You need at least 2 so you can alternate them and allow them to cool between batches.

Cooking Racks are important so your cookies cool without sticking together or to the plate/countertop.

Cookie Scoops make it easy to scoop your dough and keep all the cookies similar in size so they cook evenly. I used the small scoop for this cookie recipe.

RELATED RECIPES

I love a good dessert--especially a chocolate one (that's likely evident in our dessert category! Try out our Bacon Grease Chocolate Chip Cookies, Espresso Brownies, Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling, or Chocolate Chip Mug Cake.

DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?

Lastly, if you mad Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a 5 star rating and/or a comment.

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

• Wash hands before cooking
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• See more guidelines at USDA.gov