I love making super-simple, surprising, and yet healthy cookies, like my 3-Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies, 3-Ingredient Banana Cookies, or Christmas Wreath Cookies, but today I decided to experiment with pecan nuts. Pecan nuts are fantastic in brownies, so I thought, why not make cookies with them? These cookies turned out to be absolutely delicious! Here’s how you can make them with only 3 ingredients. In fact, you could also easily make this with just 2 ingredients if you omit the almond extract!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You only need 3 ingredients to make the recipe.
Pecan – Grinding your own pecans ensures the freshest flavor and ideal texture. Use a food processor with an S-blade, blending until you achieve a fine, crumbly texture. Be careful not to over-process, as pecans are high in fat and can quickly turn into nut butter. If you use store-bought pecan flour, reduce the amount to 1 1/4 cups for the right consistency. Keep some pecans whole for decoration. Maple Syrup – Provides natural sweetness and a lovely maple flavor. If you prefer, you can substitute it with other liquid sweeteners like agave syrup, coconut nectar, or date syrup. Almond Extract – Adds a subtle almond flavor to the cookies. Vanilla extract is a great alternative if preferred.
How to Make Maple Pecan Cookies
This is a really easy recipe to make, here’s how in pictures.
Expert Tips
Measure the Pecans Lightly – When measuring the ground pecans, avoid packing them down to prevent making the dough too dry. Lightly spoon the ground pecans into your measuring cup and level off the top. Handling the Sticky Dough – Oil your hands before rolling the dough to help prevent sticking, making it easier to shape each cookie ball. Top Each Cookie with a Pecan Half – Pressing a pecan half into the top of each cookie adds a decorative, rustic touch and a bit of extra crunch. Bake Until Just Golden – These cookies are ready when the edges turn golden brown, and the pecan on top is lightly roasted. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender and chewy. Cooling for Perfect Texture – Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. This allows them to firm up without crumbling.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies as a light dessert or holiday snack, and pair with a warm mug of coffee or tea. They also make a great addition to cookie platters.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. They can also be frozen for longer storage, allowing you to make a big batch in advance and enjoy them over time.
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