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The Best Toffee Pecan Cookies Recipe – Soft, Chewy & Caramel-Rich (No Alcohol)

These Toffee Pecan Cookies are soft, buttery, chewy, and bursting with sweet caramel flavor—everything a perfect cookie should be. They combine melty toffee chips, rich butter, crunchy pecans, and a hint of warm vanilla to create an irresistible treat that feels gourmet yet comforting. Thick and golden on the outside with gooey, chewy centers, these cookies offer an elevated flavor profile thanks to the creamy butter base and subtle tang from cream cheese. This recipe is a bourbon-free version, carefully adapted to stay true to your ingredient list while following your strict rule: no alcohol. Instead of bourbon, the cookies use a naturally flavored, alcohol-free caramel-bourbon essence that provides the same warm, sweet, smoky notes without any real alcohol. This keeps the cookies safe for everyone while preserving the deep flavor that makes this cookie style famous. Perfect for holidays, dessert boards, bake sales, cozy winter nights, or Pinterest-ready baking content, these cookies are stunning, delicious, and guaranteed to become a family favorite. Let’s bake the softest, chewiest, toffee-rich cookies ever!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 26 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

  • Your exact list, with a safe bourbon-free flavor substitute
Fresh Ingredients
  • 1 Large egg
Dry Ingredients
  • 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 ½ cups Granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
Flavoring
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon Non-alcoholic bourbon caramel flavoring
  • This replaces the bourbon while keeping the same flavor profile.
Dairy
  • 7 tablespoons Unsalted butter softened
  • 2 oz Cream cheese softened
Mix-ins
  • 8 oz Toffee chips
  • ½ cup Pecan pieces
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Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Baking trays
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
  1. In a large mixing bowl combine:
  2. Softened butter
  3. Softened cream cheese
  4. Granulated sugar
  5. Beat for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy, pale, and creamy.
  6. The cream cheese keeps the cookies soft and thick.
Step 2: Add Egg & Flavorings
  1. Mix in:
  2. Egg
  3. Vanilla extract
  4. Alcohol-free bourbon caramel essence
  5. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In another bowl whisk together:
  2. Flour
  3. Baking powder
  4. Baking soda
  5. Salt
  6. Whisk well to evenly distribute the leavening.
Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
  1. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
  2. Fold gently using a spatula until a soft, thick dough forms.
  3. Avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Add Toffee Chips & Pecans
  1. Fold in:
  2. Toffee chips
  3. Pecan pieces
  4. These add the perfect crunch + caramel flavor.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
  1. Refrigerate the dough for 45–60 minutes.
  2. This prevents spreading and makes the cookies thick and chewy.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking trays with parchment.
  3. Roll the dough into balls (1 ½ tablespoons each).
  4. Optionally press extra toffee chips on top.
Step 8: Bake
  1. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until:
  2. Edges are set
  3. Centers look slightly soft
  4. Tops appear crinkled and golden
  5. Soft centers = perfect chewy texture.
Step 9: Cool
  1. Let cookies rest on the tray 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer to a cooling rack.
  3. As they cool, the toffee melts into the dough, creating pockets of caramel richness.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container up to 6 days.
Fridge
Keeps up to 1 week.
Freezer
Freeze dough balls OR baked cookies for 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave for 6 seconds for warm, gooey toffee pockets.
🥄 Variations
1. Chocolate Toffee Pecan Cookies
Add chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
2. Maple Toffee Cookies
Replace bourbon flavor with maple extract.
3. White Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Add white chocolate chunks.
4. Toasted Pecan Toffee Cookies
Toast the pecans for deeper nuttiness.
5. Salted Caramel Toffee Cookies
Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.
6. Espresso Toffee Cookies
Add ½ teaspoon instant coffee for a bold twist.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What can I use instead of bourbon?
A non-alcoholic bourbon-flavored caramel essence (used in this recipe).
2. Why are my cookies flat?
Butter too soft or dough wasn’t chilled long enough.
3. Can I skip the cream cheese?
No — it helps keep the cookies thick and soft.
4. Can I make these nut-free?
Yes — omit pecans entirely.
5. Can I toast the pecans?
Yes — highly recommended for flavor.
6. Why is my dough crumbly?
Add 1–2 tablespoons milk if needed.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — perfect for holiday baking.
8. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze in scooped balls.
9. Why did my cookies overbake?
Remove when centers look slightly underdone.
10. Can I add cinnamon?
Yes — ½ teaspoon works beautifully.
🏁 Conclusion
These Toffee Pecan Cookies are incredibly soft, buttery, chewy, and loaded with crunchy pecans and melty caramel toffee bits. With cream cheese in the dough, warm vanilla, and alcohol-free bourbon caramel flavoring, these cookies offer a deep, gourmet sweetness with perfect texture in every bite.
They’re ideal for Christmas cookie boxes, fall and winter dessert boards, snack trays, bake sales, or cozy nights with a warm drink. Simple to make, beautiful to present, and absolutely irresistible, these cookies bring comfort and indulgence together in one delicious dessert.
Bake them once, and they’ll become a signature recipe you’ll love year-round.