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:For Cookie Dough Base:For Dry Ingredients:Equipment to Make Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies
Instructions for Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies
Pecan Pie Cookie Adventure
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.
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.
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.
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
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Decadent Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe
- 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
- 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
- Cornstarch Preparation: Craft a smooth, cloudy cornstarch slurry in a small bowl to ensure a perfectly thickened filling later.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together. Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, forming a cohesive dough.
- Dough Conditioning: Refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes to enhance flavor and improve handling capabilities.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cookie removal.
- 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.
- Filling and Baking: Carefully spoon cooled pecan mixture into each cookie’s indentation. Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden and crisp.
- 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
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
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.