Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

If you’re a fan of cookies that boast a rich, gooey center with that classic pecan pie flavor we all adore, then you’re in for a treat with this Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies combine a tender, buttery base with a luscious pecan pie filling that’s just sweet enough without being overpowering. When I first tried making them at home, I was hooked by how easy they are to whip up and how impressive they look on a cookie platter. Let me walk you through the whole process so you can enjoy these delightful morsels anytime you want.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Balance of Flavors: The buttery cookie base pairs beautifully with the sweet, nutty pecan pie filling.
  • Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these pantry staples around already, making it easy to bake anytime.
  • Impressive Yet Easy: These cookies look fancy enough for guests but come together quickly.
  • Versatile Treat: Great for holidays, dessert tables, or cozy weekend baking sessions with family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient works in harmony here to create the perfect texture and flavor—whether it’s the combination of butter and oil for moisturizing the dough, or the spices that bump up the filling’s depth. Let’s break down why each is key.

  • Butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and tenderness you’ll taste in every bite.
  • Vegetable or canola oil: Helps keep the cookies moist and soft, preventing them from drying out.
  • Granulated sugar and powdered sugar: A combo that sweetens and contributes to a delicate crumb.
  • Egg (room temperature): Binds everything together and adds richness; room temp ensures better mixing.
  • Vanilla extract: It lifts all the flavors—don’t skip it!
  • Flour: Provides structure; make sure it’s well incorporated for even texture.
  • Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors.
  • Baking powder: Gives those cookies a gentle lift while baking.
  • Brown sugar: Key for the filling—adds moisture and caramel notes.
  • Chopped pecans: The star nut, toasted in butter and sugar for max crunch and flavor.
  • Heavy cream: Adds creaminess to the filling, making it irresistible.
  • Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt: Warm spices that elevate the pecan pie vibe perfectly.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe is—once you master the base, you can play around a bit to suit your personal taste or dietary preferences. Here are some ways I’ve tweaked this cookie over time.

  • Nut-Free Version: I sometimes swap pecans for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to accommodate nut allergies, and it’s surprisingly delicious!
  • Spice It Up: Adding a splash of bourbon or a little extra cinnamon really kicked up the cozy vibes for me during the holidays.
  • Mini Cookies: I’ve made smaller cookie sizes for bite-size treats—just remember to decrease baking time by a minute or two.
  • Vegan Swap: You can replace butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg instead, though the filling gets a bit different; still tasty though!

How to Make Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Preheat

First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Getting your station ready upfront saves you from scrambling later, trust me.

Step 2: Cream the Butter, Oil, and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat together softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. This mix creates the perfect base for a tender cookie—don’t rush it, about 2-3 minutes does the trick.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla for Flavor and Structure

Beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. I always make sure the egg is at room temp because it blends better and helps your cookie dough have a great texture.

Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything comes together. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour streaks.

Step 5: Shape and Bake the Cookie Bases

Scoop out about 9 evenly sized balls of dough; I like using a large cookie scooper for consistency. Place them on your prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each to about 1 inch thick. Then, press down the center of each cookie lightly with a 1/4 cup measuring cup (or anything similar) to create a little well for our filling.

Bake for 8-9 minutes, just until the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft. They will firm up as they cool. This little trick ensures your cookie base stays tender under that delicious pecan pie filling.

Step 6: Make the Pecan Pie Filling

While the cookies bake, combine butter, brown sugar, and pecans in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally so the mixture bubbles and coats all the pecans evenly—about 1-2 minutes is perfect.

Then add cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until the filling is smooth and luscious. Set aside—you’ll use this to top each cookie.

Step 7: Assemble and Cool

Once the cookie bases have cooled slightly on the sheet, spoon generous amounts of your pecan pie filling right into those little wells you pressed earlier. It’s okay if some filling overflows—it only adds to the yum!

Let the cookies cool completely for 20-30 minutes so the filling sets just right, making these cookies easy to handle and absolutely addicting to eat.

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Pro Tips for Making Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

  • Don’t Overmix Your Dough: Stopping once combined keeps your cookies tender instead of dense or tough.
  • Room Temperature Egg is Key: It blends effortlessly, preventing curdling or uneven texture.
  • Use Fresh Spices: I once used old cinnamon and could tell immediately—the flavor just wasn’t the same.
  • Press Filling When Cookies are Warm: If too hot, the filling melts off; too cold and it won’t stick—timing is everything.

How to Serve Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a soft, round cookie with a light beige color and a cracked, crumbly texture. On top of the cookie, there is a thick layer of sticky, caramelized pecans that are dark brown and shiny. A bite is taken out of the cookie, revealing its soft inside. Around the cookie, there are whole pecans and small bits of pecans scattered on a white marbled surface. In the background, another similar cookie is slightly out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a tiny bit of flaky sea salt on top of the finished cookies right before serving—it cuts through the sweetness beautifully. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a pretty touch if you’re serving these for a special occasion.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of strong coffee for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. For holiday gatherings, I often serve them alongside spiced cider or hot chocolate.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these cookies on a large rustic wooden board with clusters of fresh pecans and autumn leaves for a Thanksgiving dessert spread—guests kept commenting on how they looked almost too good to eat! For kids’ parties, placing them in mini cupcake liners adds a fun, bite-sized presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I’ve found these cookies keep best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I like layering parchment paper between them to avoid sticking, especially because that pecan pie filling can get sticky when piled up.

Freezing

These cookies freeze surprisingly well if you want to make ahead for a party. Just be sure to cool them completely, then layer with parchment in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature and gently warm for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to revive that gooey filling.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, I like reheating individual cookies in the microwave for a short burst—usually 10-15 seconds does the trick. This softens the filling and warmth helps the buttery flavors come alive again without drying out the cookie.

FAQs

  1. Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar in the pecan pie filling?

    Yes! Using light brown sugar will still give you a delicious filling, just a bit milder in molasses flavor than dark brown sugar. It won’t affect the overall texture much, so feel free to use what you have on hand.

  2. What if I don’t have heavy cream for the filling?

    If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, but the filling won’t be quite as rich and creamy. To keep that luscious texture, I recommend heavy cream whenever possible.

  3. How can I tell when the cookies are perfectly baked?

    Look for cookies with edges that are set and lightly golden but centers still a bit soft or slightly underbaked—this ensures a soft, tender cookie that firms up as it cools without drying out.

  4. Can I make the pecan pie filling ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can make the filling a day ahead and gently rewarm it before spooning onto the cookies. This actually helps the flavors meld even better. Just keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

  5. Is this recipe suitable for making cookies in advance for a party?

    Yes—I suggest baking the cookie bases ahead and storing them separately. Add the pecan pie filling on the day of the event for the freshest texture and appearance.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made this Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe countless times, and each batch brings that warm, cozy feeling I want when baking at home. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and indulgence, with just the right balance of crunchy pecans and melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with loved ones, I’m confident you’ll agree these cookies become a quick favorite. Give them a try—you’re going to be so glad you did!

Print
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Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Crumbl Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 53 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 9 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Crumbl pecan pie cookies combine a buttery, soft cookie base with a rich, gooey pecan pie filling center, delivering all the flavors of classic pecan pie in a delightful handheld treat. Perfectly balanced with warm spices and a sweet nutty filling, these cookies are ideal for dessert lovers looking for a festive and indulgent homemade treat.


Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Pecan Pie Filling

  • 5 tbsp butter
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 & 1/4 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt


Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring even distribution of fats and sugars for a tender cookie.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until fully combined and the batter is smooth, which will help bind the ingredients and add flavor.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir or mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. This will ensure your cookies remain soft and tender.
  5. Shape Cookies: Using a large cookie scoop, portion out 9 equal cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball to about 1 inch thick. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, press down the center of each cookie to create a well for the pecan pie filling.
  6. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet.
  7. Make Pecan Pie Filling: While the cookies bake, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and chopped pecans, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and mixture begins to bubble, about 1-2 minutes to coat the pecans thoroughly.
  8. Add Spices and Cream: To the saucepan, add cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Whisk the filling until combined and smooth. Remove from heat once incorporated.
  9. Top and Cool: Spoon the warm pecan pie filling into the wells of each cookie. Let the cookies cool at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to allow the filling to set before serving. Enjoy your decadent pecan pie cookies!

Notes

  • Freezing: These cookies freeze well for up to 2 months. Cool completely before stacking in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Thaw at room temperature and microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the gooey filling.
  • Bake Time: Oven temperatures can vary; cookies are done when edges are set and centers remain slightly soft, firming up as they cool.
  • Make Ahead: You can bake the cookies ahead of time and add the pecan pie filling just before serving for the best texture.
  • Cookie Size: For smaller cookies, reduce the baking time accordingly and adjust the filling size to fit.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg

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