Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies


 Ingredients You'll Need
For the Cookie Dough
1½ cups unsalted butter
1½ cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons hot water
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
Equipment You'll Need

You don't need anything complicated to make these cookies. Have the following ready:

Microwave-safe bowl or container for melting the butter
Electric stand mixer
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
Medium cookie scoop
Baking sheets
Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
Plastic wrap
Wire cooling rack
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions

This recipe is written with a specific combination of chocolate and pecans, so the ingredients are best used as listed for the intended result.

That said, the recipe naturally lends itself to a few simple variations.

Chocolate

The combination of white chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate gives these cookies their distinctive flavor. If you're experimenting, you can adjust the chocolate combination to suit your taste.

Pecans

The chopped pecans provide the nutty crunch in these cookies. If you're making a batch for someone with a nut allergy, leaving them out would change the texture and flavor, so keep that in mind.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Step 1: Melt the Butter

Melt the unsalted butter in the microwave.

Pour the melted butter into the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Let it cool until it is no longer hot but remains fluid.

You don't want to add the sugars while the butter is piping hot.

Step 2: Mix the Sugars and Butter

Add the packed light brown sugar and granulated sugar to the melted butter.

Mix for 4 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Add the whole egg and mix well.

Then add the egg yolk and mix again until everything is fully incorporated.

Step 4: Add the Baking Soda Mixture

In a small bowl, stir the baking soda into the hot water until it dissolves.

Add the dissolved baking soda and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.

Step 5: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together:

All-purpose flour
Cake flour
Baking powder
Ground cinnamon
Salt

Whisk until the dry ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 6: Make the Cookie Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Mix only until the flour has been incorporated and no dry streaks remain.

Try not to overmix once the flour goes in.

Step 7: Add the Chocolate and Pecans

Fold in the white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chopped pecans.

Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula and gently fold until the ingredients are distributed throughout the dough.

And now comes the hard part: waiting!

Step 8: Portion and Chill the Dough

Use a medium cookie scoop to portion the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Cover the pan securely with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate the dough for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

This make-ahead step is perfect when you want to prepare the cookie dough in advance.

Step 9: Preheat the Oven

When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line additional baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 10: Bake the Cookies

Arrange the chilled dough portions on the prepared baking sheets, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cookie.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers still look slightly soft.

That's exactly what you're looking for!

Step 11: Cool

Let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet after removing them from the oven.

Then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Don't Rush the Chilling Time

The dough needs to chill for at least 3 hours. You can also refrigerate it overnight, which makes this a convenient make-ahead cookie recipe.

Watch the Centers

Don't wait for the entire cookie to look completely firm in the oven. The recipe specifically calls for the edges to be lightly golden while the centers remain slightly soft.

Give the Cookies Room

Leave approximately 2 inches between the dough portions on the baking sheet.

Don't Overmix the Dough

Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until the flour is incorporated and no dry streaks remain.

Let the Butter Cool

After melting the butter, allow it to cool until it is no longer hot but is still fluid before adding the sugars.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

These cookies are wonderful served on their own, especially while they're still slightly warm.

For a simple dessert spread, arrange them on a serving platter alongside:

A glass of cold milk
Coffee
Hot chocolate
Tea
Your favorite dessert drinks

They're also perfect for cookie trays, casual gatherings, bake sales, or simply keeping on hand when a chocolate craving strikes!

How to Store Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

The provided recipe includes instructions for preparing and chilling the uncooked cookie dough, but it does not specify storage instructions for baked cookies.

For that reason, a specific storage time for the finished cookies isn't provided here.

The recipe does confirm that the prepared dough can be refrigerated for at least 3 hours or up to overnight before baking.

General Recipe Information

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Prep: Prepare and chill the dough for at least 3 hours
Chill time: At least 3 hours, or overnight
Bake temperature: 350°F
Bake time: 10–12 minutes
Main flavors: Chocolate, butter, pecans, cinnamon

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes. The recipe specifically says the portioned dough can be refrigerated for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

How long should I chill the cookie dough?

Chill the dough for a minimum of 3 hours before baking. It can also be refrigerated overnight.

Why do the cookies need to be chilled?

Chilling is part of the recipe's preparation process and ensures you're baking the dough after it has been properly refrigerated. The recipe specifies this step before baking.

Can I use just one type of chocolate?

The recipe calls for both white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Changing the chocolate combination would create a variation from the original recipe.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should be lightly golden, while the centers should still look slightly soft.

How much space should I leave between the cookies?

Leave approximately 2 inches between the chilled dough portions on the baking sheets.

Can I refrigerate the dough overnight?

Absolutely! Overnight refrigeration is specifically included in the recipe instructions.

Why are both all-purpose flour and cake flour used?

The recipe uses a combination of all-purpose flour and cake flour, but it does not provide a specific explanation for the combination. Both are part of the original ingredient list and should be measured as written.

Final Thoughts

These Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies have everything I want in a homemade cookie: plenty of chocolate, buttery richness, crunchy pecans, and just a touch of cinnamon.

I especially love that the dough can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight. When you're ready to bake, simply arrange the chilled portions on your baking sheets and let the oven do the rest.

The edges turn lightly golden, the centers stay slightly soft, and the combination of white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, and pecans makes every bite feel extra special.

So grab that cookie scoop and get the dough chilling. A warm batch of Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies is definitely worth the wait!

More Cookie Recipes to Try

If you're building a collection of homemade cookie favorites, these Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies would make a delicious addition to the lineup. Try pairing them with other chocolate chip, pecan, or classic homemade cookie recipes for a varied dessert platter.

Did You Make These Cookies?

If you make these Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies, I'd love to hear how they turned out!

Leave a review and share your photos on Pinterest so other cookie lovers can see your delicious results. There's nothing better than seeing a recipe come to life in someone else's kitchen!

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information per serving was not provided with the recipe, so an accurate nutritional estimate cannot be included without calculating it from the ingredients and determining the serving size.