Ingredients
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, especially when it comes to the maple syrup and pecans, which are the stars of the filling. I always opt for pure maple syrup over artificial syrups — it adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. Fresh, crunchy pecans are a must, and if you can find them raw, even better, so you can toast them lightly to bring out their natural oils. For the cookie dough, I use good-quality butter and brown sugar to keep everything tender and flavorful.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves, lightly toasted
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (to thicken the filling)
If you’re short on pecans, walnuts make a nice substitute, and you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend to make this recipe accessible for more diets.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of your leavening agent and seasoning.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy — about 3-4 minutes using a hand mixer. This step is crucial for a tender cookie.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies soft.
- In a separate bowl, combine the maple syrup, toasted pecans, and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps thicken the filling so it doesn’t ooze out during baking.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, take a portion of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Add about a teaspoon of the pecan filling in the center, then wrap the dough around it, sealing the edges carefully to enclose the filling.
- Place the stuffed cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Maple Pecan Pie Stuffed Cookies, recipe, cooking, food
