Decadent Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Sweet, buttery pecan pie cookies with a vegan twist offer a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth.

These delectable treats capture the classic Southern pie rich flavors in a perfectly portioned cookie format.

Crisp edges give way to a soft, chewy center packed with caramelized pecans and subtle sweetness.

Bakers seeking a plant-based alternative will love how simple these cookies are to create.

Each bite delivers a nostalgic comfort reminiscent of holiday gatherings and cozy afternoons.

The recipe transforms traditional ingredients into a cruelty-free delight that even non-vegan friends will adore.

You won’t believe how close these cookies come to the original pecan pie experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

For Pecan Pie Filling:
  • Water: Helps dissolve cornstarch and create smooth, silky texture for the filling.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the filling, ensuring a rich and stable consistency.
  • Vegan Butter: Provides creamy richness and helps bind the filling ingredients.
  • Pecans: Delivers nutty crunch and authentic pecan pie flavor profile.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and natural sweetness.
  • Maple Syrup: Introduces rich, woodsy sweetness with natural depth.
  • Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity and aroma.
For Cookie Dough Base:
  • Vegan Butter: Creates tender, flaky texture and rich flavor in cookies.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve golden-brown cookie exterior.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Contributes moisture and subtle caramel notes.
  • Flax Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds nutritional value as egg replacement.
  • Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract: Elevates cookie's aromatic profile.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural foundation of the cookie dough.
  • Ground Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice: Adds warm, comforting spice notes.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures light, soft cookie texture with gentle rise.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

Equipment to Make Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

  • Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining dry and wet ingredients.
  • Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar until fluffy.
  • Saucepan: Medium-sized pot for cooking pecan pie filling.
  • Whisk: For mixing dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
  • Baking Tray: Flat pan for baking cookies.
  • Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface for easy cookie removal.
  • Wire Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Small Bowl: For making cornstarch slurry.
  • Cookie Scoop or Spoon: For creating uniform cookie sizes.

Instructions for Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

Pecan Pie Cookie Adventure

  • Filling Foundation

Create a rich and gooey pecan mixture by melting vegan butter and combining it with sweet maple syrup, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Cook the blend slowly until it transforms into a glossy, thick sauce that will make taste buds dance.

  • Dough Magic

Blend soft vegan butter with sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add a flax egg for binding and vanilla for depth of flavor. Gently fold in flour, warming spices, and a pinch of salt to create a tender cookie base that will melt in your mouth.

  • Cookie Crafting

Shape small dough balls and roll them in sparkling sugar. Create a cozy little nest in each cookie’s center and generously fill with the luscious pecan mixture. Bake until the edges turn golden and crisp, releasing an irresistible aroma that will draw everyone to the kitchen.

  • Sweet Finishing

Let the cookies rest and cool completely, allowing the filling to set and the flavors to mingle. These treats are perfect for sharing with friends, enjoying with coffee, or savoring as a delightful afternoon pick-me-up.

Customizing Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

  • Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Pecan Power: Toast the pecans before chopping to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and add a deeper complexity to the filling. Simply spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
  • Spice Swap: Experiment with different warm spices like cardamom, ginger, or nutmeg in the cookie dough to create unique flavor profiles that complement the sweet pecan filling.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pecan pie filling and cookie dough a day in advance. Store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator and keep the dough wrapped in plastic wrap to save time on baking day.
  • Texture Twist: For extra crunch, mix some chopped pecans directly into the cookie dough or sprinkle additional toasted pecans on top of the cookies after baking.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities while maintaining the same delicious taste and texture.

Serving Suggestions for Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

  • Cozy Dessert Pairing: Serve these vegan pecan pie cookies alongside a warm mug of vanilla almond milk or spiced chai tea for a delightful comfort experience.
  • Festive Holiday Presentation: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden platter with a light dusting of powdered sugar, perfect for family gatherings or seasonal celebrations.
  • Gourmet Gift Idea: Package these cookies in a charming mason jar with a ribbon, creating a thoughtful homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and love for plant-based treats.
  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Drizzle a thin line of maple syrup or vegan caramel sauce on the plate, then place two cookies at an angle for a restaurant-style presentation that elevates the cookie's visual appeal.

Storing Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Efficiently

  • Quick Cooling Strategy: Let cookies cool completely before storing to maintain their crisp edges and prevent moisture buildup. Place them on a wire rack for even air circulation, which helps preserve their delightful texture.
  • Smart Storage Solution: Stack cookies between parchment paper layers in an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious without losing their crunchy cinnamon charm.
  • Freezing Fantastic Tip: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These treats can be frozen for 2-3 months, offering a delectable make-ahead dessert option for unexpected sweet cravings.
  • Serving Suggestion Hack: Warm refrigerated cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to restore their original softness and reawaken the aromatic pecan filling. Serve with a cold glass of almond milk for an extra indulgent experience.
Print
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Decadent Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Decadent Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delectable vegan pecan pie cookies bring classic Southern dessert flavors into compact, irresistible cookie form. Nutty pecans and sweet maple syrup create a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups + 3 tbsps (200 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113 g) vegan butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup + 2 tbsps (120 g) sugar (½ cup for dough, 2 tbsps for rolling)
  • ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsps water)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (75 g) chopped pecans
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) vegan butter
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
  • ½ tbsp (7.5 ml) cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Cornstarch Preparation: Craft a smooth, cloudy cornstarch slurry in a small bowl to ensure a perfectly thickened filling later.
  2. Pecan Caramelization: Gently heat vegan butter and introduce pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Allow ingredients to meld and caramelize for 1-2 minutes, creating a rich, aromatic base.
  3. Filling Development: Integrate the cornstarch mixture into the pecan blend, stirring consistently. Simmer on low heat until the filling achieves a glossy, luxurious consistency. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  4. Dough Foundation: Cream vegan butter with sugars using an electric mixer until light and airy. Incorporate flax egg and vanilla, blending thoroughly to create a uniform wet mixture.
  5. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together. Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, forming a cohesive dough.
  6. Dough Conditioning: Refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes to enhance flavor and improve handling capabilities.
  7. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cookie removal.
  8. Cookie Shaping: Craft 11 uniform dough balls, rolling each in reserved sugar to create a crystalline exterior. Position on the baking sheet, gently creating a central well for filling.
  9. Filling and Baking: Carefully spoon cooled pecan mixture into each cookie’s indentation. Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden and crisp.
  10. Cooling Process: Allow cookies to rest on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and final texture development.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to develop richer flavor and improve cookie texture, making the dough easier to handle.
  • Master Pecan Caramelization: Watch the pecan mixture closely while cooking, aiming for a glossy, thick consistency without burning the ingredients.
  • Create Perfect Indentations: Gently press cookie dough balls to form even wells, ensuring uniform filling distribution and attractive presentation.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring, preventing potential breakage and maintaining structural integrity.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 95 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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