Welcome to a recipe that’s designed to bring you maximum deliciousness with minimum fuss! These Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies are your new go-to for a sweet, satisfying treat that tastes incredibly homemade, even when using a shortcut. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone around you with these impossibly simple yet wonderfully flavorful cookies.
Key Ingredients for Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or white cake mix for a lighter flavor)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips (optional, but highly recommended for extra flavor!)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional, for a finished look)
How to Make Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies
Prepare yourself for an incredibly easy baking experience that delivers big on buttery, nutty flavor. These cookies are a testament to how simple ingredients and a brilliant shortcut can result in a truly satisfying dessert. The preparation time is minimal, making them perfect for spontaneous cravings or last-minute dessert needs. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can go from pantry staples to warm, delicious cookies in about 25 minutes of active time plus baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Cream the Butter and Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and the two large eggs until well combined and smooth. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal here for effortless mixing, but a sturdy hand mixer or even a strong whisk will do the job perfectly.
- Add Vanilla and Cake Mix: Stir in the teaspoon of vanilla extract, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Then, gradually add the contents of the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Start mixing on low speed until well incorporated. The mixture will be thick and dough-like.
- Incorporate the Pecans and Butterscotch Chips: Gently fold in the lightly toasted chopped pecans and the butterscotch chips (if using). Be careful not to overmix at this stage; you want to distribute the add-ins evenly throughout the dough without breaking them down too much. To toast your pecans, spread them on a small baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until fragrant. Let them cool slightly before adding to the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can use a cookie scoop for uniform size, which helps with even baking. The dough will be somewhat sticky, which is perfectly normal for this type of recipe.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry cookies.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the cookies to firm up.
- Optional Dusting: For an extra touch of elegance and a hint of sweetness, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar. This step is purely aesthetic but adds a lovely finish.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies
These Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies are a dream come true for anyone seeking a no-fuss, incredibly delicious baked good. The star here is undoubtedly the irresistible combination of buttery shortbread-like dough infused with the warm, nutty crunch of toasted pecans and the sweet, caramel notes of butterscotch chips. Unlike a traditional butter pecan cookie that requires creaming butter and sugar for extended periods, this cake mix version offers a similar rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a fraction of the effort, making it a true weeknight dessert hero!
You’ll adore how these cookies deliver a bakery-quality taste without the bakery price tag or the lengthy preparation time. The simplicity of using a cake mix as your base means you can whip up a batch of these delightful treats whenever a sweet craving strikes, saving you money and time compared to buying cookies from a shop or making them from scratch. So, grab your cake mix, butter, and pecans, and get ready to bake a batch of these sensational cookies – your taste buds (and your wallet!) will thank you.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage is key to keeping your Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies fresh and delicious.
- Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and maintain their delightful texture for up to 3-4 days. Placing a piece of parchment paper between layers of cookies can help prevent them from sticking together.
- Refrigeration: While not typically necessary for this type of cookie, if your kitchen is very warm or you plan to store them for longer than 4 days, you can refrigerate them. Store them in an airtight container. They will remain fresh for up to a week, though the texture might become slightly firmer. They do not require reheating; simply let them come to room temperature before enjoying.
- Freezing: For longer shelf life, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, they can be kept in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To enjoy, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. They don’t need to be reheated, but if you prefer a slightly warm cookie, you can gently warm them in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F or 95°C) for a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies are the ultimate solution for a quick, delicious, and impressively homemade dessert. So go ahead, give them a try, and discover how simple baking can be!
Easy Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and the two large eggs until well combined and smooth.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 large eggs
- Stir in the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then, gradually add the contents of the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Start mixing on low speed until well incorporated. The mixture will be thick and dough-like.1 box yellow cake mix (or white cake mix for a lighter flavor), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gently fold in the lightly toasted chopped pecans and the butterscotch chips (if using). Be careful not to overmix.1 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For an extra touch of elegance and a hint of sweetness, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar.Powdered sugar