Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of light brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is light, smooth, and fluffy. This helps create a tender cookie base.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for flavor.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
Step 5: Fold in the Chopped Pecans
Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of chopped pecans. These pecans will add the perfect crunch and nutty flavor to your pecan pie cookies.
Step 6: Form and Bake the Cookies
Using a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool, so it’s important not to overbake them.
Step 7: Prepare the Caramel Topping
While the cookies are baking, warm 1 cup of caramel sauce and ¼ cup of maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth and combined. This gooey caramel topping is what makes these cookies so irresistible!
Step 8: Drizzle and Garnish
Once the cookies have cooled completely, drizzle each one with the warm caramel mixture. Top each cookie with a pecan half for a beautiful finishing touch.
