Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies – Soft, Chewy, and Loaded with Chocolate and Crunchy Pecans

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies are the perfect combination of two classic baking favorites. They bring together the rich, buttery flavor of traditional chocolate chip cookies with the warm, nutty crunch of toasted pecans. Every bite offers a delicious contrast of textures: slightly crisp edges, soft and chewy centers, melted chocolate chips, and plenty of crunchy pecan pieces.

These homemade cookies are easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients and require no complicated baking techniques. Whether you’re making a batch for a holiday gathering, preparing a sweet afternoon snack, or simply craving something homemade, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.

The secret to making them especially delicious is using a combination of brown and granulated sugar, softened butter, and freshly chopped pecans. Brown sugar gives the cookies a deeper caramel-like flavor while helping keep their centers soft. Meanwhile, the pecans add a wonderful toasted nuttiness that pairs beautifully with semi-sweet chocolate.

Let’s walk through everything you need to make a batch of these irresistible cookies.

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

There are plenty of reasons to add this recipe to your regular baking collection.

• Perfect texture: The cookies have lightly golden edges and soft, chewy centers.

• Rich chocolate flavor: Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide just the right amount of sweetness.

• Crunchy pecans: Chopped pecans add texture and a delicious buttery, nutty taste.

• Simple ingredients: Everything is easy to find at a regular grocery store.

• Easy preparation: You don’t need special equipment or advanced baking skills.

• Great for sharing: These cookies are wonderful for parties, holiday cookie trays, bake sales, or homemade gifts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is everything required to prepare approximately 24 cookies.

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar

• ½ cup granulated white sugar

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Add-Ins

• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup chopped pecans, preferably lightly toasted

Optional Topping

• A little flaky sea salt

• Extra chocolate chips for decorating

• A few additional chopped pecans

Kitchen Equipment

Before getting started, gather the following:

• Large mixing bowl

• Medium mixing bowl

• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Whisk

• Rubber spatula

• Baking sheets

• Parchment paper

• Cookie scoop or tablespoon

• Wire cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly.

If you have only one baking sheet, you can bake the cookies in separate batches. Allow the baking sheet to cool before placing another batch of dough on it.

Set the prepared baking sheets aside while you make the cookie dough.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Combining the dry ingredients separately helps prevent pockets of baking soda or salt from forming in the finished cookies.

Set the bowl aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, place the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.

Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed for approximately 2–3 minutes.

Continue mixing until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy.

This step is important because properly creaming the butter and sugars helps create a pleasant cookie texture.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if necessary to make sure everything is evenly combined.