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Chewy Praline Cookies Recipe: How to Make Praline Cookies

Name: Chewy Praline Cookies Recipe: How to Make Praline Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 dozen cookies
Cuisine: Southern U.S.
Ingredients: ½ cup salted butter, softened to room temperature; ¾ cup light brown sugar or dark brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped; Turbinado sugar, for topping (optional); *__Note__: The total time does not include 1 hour and 5 minutes of inactive time.*

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Nov 15, 2022 • 2 min read

These nutty, brown sugar–infused pecan praline cookies replicate the flavors of a sweet Southern classic in a buttery handheld treat.

Learn From the Best

What Are Praline Cookies?

Praline cookies are shortbread-based treats featuring pralines, a Southern confection of candied pecans. The simple cookie dough for this recipe consists of brown sugar, egg, flour, chopped pecans, vanilla extract, and salted butter.

4 Tips for Making Praline Cookies

Follow these easy tips to make the best praline cookies possible.

1. Keep an eye on the cookies. Watch these tender cookies as they bake to prevent overcooking, which will result in an unpleasantly hard texture. Remove the cookies from the oven when they are just set and golden around the edges.
2. Experiment with additions. Customize these simple cookies with additions like dark chocolate chips, toffee bits, or a dash of cinnamon. Top the dessert with a powdered sugar glaze or a dark chocolate drizzle. Alternatively, dot the center of each cookie with a pecan half.
3. Make ahead and freeze. Make this cookie dough up to 3 months in advance and store it in the freezer for easy on-demand baking. Simply prepare the dough, roll it into tablespoon-sized balls, and store them in a zip-top bag in the freezer. When you’re ready to bake the cookies, defrost them in the refrigerator the night before preparation.
4. Store properly. Baked praline cookies will keep well in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. Let the cookies cool fully to room temperature before storing.

Chewy Praline Cookies Recipe

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makes

1 dozen cookies

prep time

10 min

total time

25 min

cook time

15 min

Ingredients

½ cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
¾ cup light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
Turbinado sugar, for topping (optional)

Note: The total time does not include 1 hour and 5 minutes of inactive time.

1
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until it is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Alternatively, cream the butter in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer.
2
Add the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter and beat together until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
3
With the mixer running on low, slowly add the flour to the creamed butter and mix until a dough just comes together.
4
Fold the chopped pecans into the dough.
5
Cover the mixing bowl containing the dough with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for a minimum of 1 hour.
6
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
7
Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop up a 1-tablespoon portion of the cookie dough, roll it into a ball, and place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining dough, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each dough ball.
8
Using your fingers, lightly press down each ball to slightly flatten the cookies.
9
Sprinkle turbinado sugar over the tops of the cookies.
10
Transfer the baking sheet with the cookies to the oven. Bake until they are golden brown around the edges and slightly underbaked in the center, about 10–13 minutes.
11
Remove the pan from the oven, and let the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool fully.

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