There’s something irresistible about the combination of sweet and salty, and these Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies capture that magic perfectly. With gooey salted caramel chips, crunchy toasted pecans, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, each bite offers a symphony of flavors. This recipe has quickly become a favorite at Emma’s Cake Studio, where I often find myself making these cookies for family gatherings or as an indulgent treat for my weekend baking sessions.
The Story Behind These Cookies
The inspiration for these Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies came from a holiday tradition in my family. Every year, we would bake an assortment of cookies to share with friends and neighbors. One year, after experimenting with different flavors, I stumbled upon the idea of adding salted caramel to my usual pecan cookie recipe. The result was spectacular—chewy, rich, and balanced perfectly with the flaky sea salt topping. Since then, these cookies have become a staple in my home, and now I’m excited to share them with you!
Whenever I make these, I’m reminded of cozy evenings spent around the fireplace, the warmth of the oven filling the house, and the joy of sharing something homemade with loved ones. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply to enjoy at home, I hope these cookies bring the same warmth and happiness to your table.
What Makes These Cookies Special?
These cookies are a unique blend of textures and flavors that set them apart from your standard cookie recipe. The salted caramel chips melt into pockets of sweet caramel throughout, while the toasted pecans add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the cookie. The final touch of flaky sea salt adds a sophisticated twist, enhancing the caramel’s sweetness while cutting through the richness of the buttery dough.
Baking Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies
Getting the perfect cookie texture—soft on the inside with a slight crunch on the edges—requires a few expert tips. Follow these to make sure your cookies come out just right:
Underbake slightly: For that perfect gooey center, bake the cookies until the edges are golden brown, but the centers are still slightly soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Use cold butter: Unlike many cookie recipes that call for room-temperature butter, using cold, cubed butter in this recipe helps the cookies retain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much. It also results in a wonderfully flaky texture.
Don’t overmix the dough: Once you’ve combined the dry ingredients with the wet, be careful not to overmix. Doing so can result in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is fully incorporated.
Toast the pecans: Toasting the pecans before folding them into the dough enhances their flavor and adds a richer, nutty taste to the cookies.
How to Make Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies?
Course: Cake Ideas8
servings15
minutes10
minutes450
kcalIngredients
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup salted caramel chips
1 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
Flaky sea salt for topping
Steps
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the cold, cubed butter with both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. The butter should still be somewhat firm.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the Add-Ins: Gently fold in the salted caramel chips and toasted pecans until evenly distributed.
- Form the Cookies: Divide the dough into large balls, about 4 oz (quarter-pound) each. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each one. These cookies will spread slightly.
- Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center. Don’t overbake—these cookies should be gooey inside.
- Add Salt: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt while they are still warm.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can wait that long!).
Why Salted Caramel and Pecans?
There’s a reason why caramel and pecans are a classic combination—they complement each other beautifully. The rich, buttery caramel enhances the natural sweetness of the pecans, while the slight saltiness of both the caramel and the sea salt topping adds a depth of flavor that keeps you coming back for more. If you’re a fan of desserts with a balance of sweet and salty, these cookies will quickly become a favorite.
Customizing Your Cookies
While this recipe is pretty perfect as-is, there are a few ways you can customize it to suit your tastes or make it even more decadent:
- Add chocolate: For those who can’t resist chocolate, consider adding ½ cup of dark chocolate chunks or chips to the dough. The bitterness of the dark chocolate pairs wonderfully with the salted caramel and pecans.
- Switch up the nuts: Not a fan of pecans? Try substituting them with toasted walnuts or almonds for a different flavor profile.
- Add a cinnamon twist: If you love a hint of spice in your cookies, try adding 1 tsp of ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients. It adds warmth and complements the caramel beautifully.
Serving Information
- Servings: 8 servings (around 8 large cookies)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Calories: 450 kcal per serving
Serving Suggestions
These Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies are delicious on their own, but there are a few fun ways to elevate them:
- Serve warm with ice cream: Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla bean or caramel ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
- Drizzle with chocolate: For a fancier presentation, drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over the cooled cookies. It adds a luxurious touch and an extra layer of flavor.
- Coffee pairing: These cookies make an excellent afternoon treat with a hot cup of coffee or espresso. The richness of the caramel and pecans contrasts nicely with the bitterness of coffee, making for a delightful pairing.
Share Your Cookie Creations!
I hope you enjoy baking and devouring these Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies as much as I do. There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked cookies filling your kitchen, especially when they’re as rich and flavorful as these. If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how they turned out for you! Share your creations with me in the comments below. Let’s spread the cookie love!
