How to Make White Chocolate Pecan Cookies

Follow these easy steps to bake a batch of soft, chewy white chocolate pecan cookies at home.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Properly creamed butter and sugar help create a pleasant cookie texture.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these ingredients separately helps distribute the baking soda and salt throughout the dough.

Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies tougher.

Step 6: Fold in the White Chocolate and Pecans

Gently fold in the white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate and chopped pecans. Make sure the additions are evenly distributed so every cookie gets plenty of chocolate and nuts.

Step 7: Scoop the Cookie Dough

Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. If desired, gently press a whole pecan half onto the top of each cookie for a decorative finish.

Step 8: Bake Until Golden

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft. Baking times can vary depending on your oven and the size of your cookies.

Step 9: Cool Before Serving

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time allows the cookies to set without breaking.

The cookies may look slightly soft in the center when they first come out of the oven. That is normal; they will continue to firm up as they cool.