These Old Fashioned Pecan Cookies are a vintage recipe passed down from my grandmother. I hope you enjoy these sweet and buttery cookies as much as my family has.

There’s just something extra special about vintage recipes. These old fashioned pecan cookies are buttery, sweet, flavorful, and loaded with delicious pecan pieces. They are the perfect combination of soft and chewy. You will love every single bite!

If you need even more old fashioned recipes be sure to also check out these Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies, Homemade Vanilla Wafers, and Old Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe.
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โค๏ธ Why youโll love this recipe
- Taste: These cookies are sweet, buttery, and loaded with tons of pecans.
- Texture: These cookies are the perfect combination of soft and chewy.
- Easy to make: This is a very easy recipe to make and there’s no chill time needed for the dough.
๐ฅฃ Ingredients needed

The complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card further below in the post.
For this recipe, you will need:
- Pecan halves: Be sure to check your pecans for freshness before adding them to the cookie dough.
- All purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Agave syrup (or corn syrup): The original recipe calls for corn syrup, but I prefer to use agave syrup. You can use either (it is a 1:1 substitution).
โญ Variations
You can toast the pecans for a few minutes before making the cookies, if you prefer. I find that they toast enough while baking but everyone has their own preference.
๐ช Equipment needed
You will need a hand or stand mixer, baking sheets, and parchment paper (not wax paper).
โฒ๏ธ Recipe instructions (step by step guide)
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐ F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (not wax paper).
Next, either with a stand or hand mixer cream together the butter (softened to room temperature), light brown sugar, agave syrup, and vanilla extract.
Next add in the remaining ingredients except for the pecans. Mix until everything is combined.
Stir in the pecans with a large spoon.
Form dough balls and place on your baking sheet leaving enough room to spread. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until the edges are golden. Let the cookies rest for 10 minutes on the hot baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
I prefer to make larger sized cookies, if making smaller cookies you’ll need to adjust the baking time. You’ll know the cookies are done when the edges are golden.
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ณ Tips

- Be sure to check your pecans for freshness before adding them.
- Your butter should be softened to room temperature, not melted.
- Be sure to let the cookies rest on the baking sheet. This last step finishes them up outside of the oven.
๐ฅก How to store leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies will be good for up to four days after making.
More great cookie recipes:
- Amish Molasses Cookies
- Homemade Vanilla Wafers
- Amish Snickerdoodles
- Hobo Cookies
- Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cinnamon Animal Crackers
- Lemon Wafers
- Amish Oatmeal Cookies
If you tried these Old Fashioned Pecan Cookies Recipe or any other recipe on my site, please leave a โญ rating and let me know how it goes in the ๐ comments below. I would love to hear from you and Iโm always happy to try to answer any questions you may have!

Old Fashioned Pecan Cookies
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Hand or stand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 ยฝ cups all purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons agave syrup or corn syrup
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐ F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (not wax paper).
- Next, either with a stand or hand mixer cream together the butter (softened to room temperature), light brown sugar, agave syrup, and vanilla extract.ยฝ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons agave syrup
- Next add in the remaining ingredients except for the pecans. Mix until everything is combined.1 ยฝ cups all purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons, ยฝ teaspoon salt, ยฝ teaspoon baking soda, 1 large egg
- Stir in the pecans with a large spoon.1 cup pecan halves
- Form dough balls and place on your baking sheet leaving enough room to spread. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until the edges are golden. Let the cookies rest for 10 minutes on the hot baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
- I prefer to make larger sized cookies, if making smaller cookies you'll need to adjust the baking time. You'll know the cookies are done when the edges are golden.
Notes
- Be sure to check your pecans for freshness before adding them.
- Your butter should be softened to room temperature, not melted.
- Be sure to let the cookies rest on the baking sheet. This last step finishes them up outside of the oven.














Lora says
These old fashioned pecan cookies are rich, buttery, and timeless. Every bite feels nostalgic and special.
Ramona says
These pecan cookies look super delicious! I haven’t made cookies in a while and this recipe has definitely made me excited to make some. Thank you for sharing this recipe!