Gourmet Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

Experience the sublime combination of nutty and sweet with our Gourmet Brown Butter Pecan Cookies. These cookies feature the deep, rich flavor of brown butter and the delightful crunch of buttered pecans. Each bite is a warm embrace of comforting flavors and the perfect pairing of texture and taste, finished with a dusting of sugar for a little extra joy.

Ingredients for Buttered Pecans:

• 1 and 1/4 cup finely chopped pecan halves
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Ingredients for Cookies:

• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 16 pecan halves, for decoration
• Additional granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions for Buttered Pecans:

1. Toast the Pecans: Melt butter in a skillet, add chopped pecans, and toast until fragrant, then set aside to cool.

Instructions for Cookies:

1. Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda; set aside.
2. Brown the Butter: Melt butter until browned with a nutty aroma, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
3. Wet Ingredients: Whisk sugars into the brown butter, add vanilla, then eggs and yolk one at a time.
4. Combine: Gently fold in the dry ingredients and buttered pecans until just combined.
5. Chill: Refrigerate dough for at least 4 hours for flavors to meld.

To Bake:

1. Preheat: Oven to 375°F (F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Shape: Form dough into balls, press a pecan half on top, and space them out on baking sheets.
3. Bake: One sheet at a time for 10-11 minutes until edges are golden.
4. Finish: Sprinkle warm cookies with sugar, then cool on pan before transferring to a rack.

Serving Suggestion: Serve these Brown Butter Pecan Cookies as a sophisticated treat alongside coffee or tea. The cookies are perfect for sharing at gatherings or savoring during a quiet moment of indulgence.