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Pecan Crescent Cookies

Pecan Crescent Cookies are a popular holiday treat and perfect to add to holiday cookie trays. These soft, buttery cookies are shaped like crescents, filled with chopped pecans, and dusted with powdered sugar.

A plate of baked crescent cookies rolled in powdered sugar.

You can gift these cookies or include them on your Christmas cookie platter. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are easy to make and a must-have for every holiday season!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Buttery with a nutty flavor and melt-in-your-mouth
  • Crunchy pecans in every bite
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Beautiful and festive for holiday trays
  • A classic Christmas treat everyone will love!
A plate of pecan crescents rolled in powdered sugar.

Ingredients in Pecan Crescent Cookies

This pecan crescent cookies recipe is easily made with simple ingredients. 

  • unsalted butter, softened
  • chopped pecans
  • vanilla extract
  • all-purpose flour
  • salt
  • confectioner's sugar (plus extra powdered sugar for rolling)
Ingredients to make Pecan Crescent Cookies.
Chopped pecans in a bowl with cookie dough to make pecan crescent cookies.

How to Make Crescent Cookies

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (170°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use ungreased cookie sheets.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. 
  3. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar on low speed until well combined.
  4. Stir in the chopped pecans and vanilla extract. 
  5. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until the dough comes together. It should be soft but not sticky.
  6. Take about a teaspoon of dough and shape dough into small crescent moons. Place each cookie on the prepared baking sheet, leaving two inches between them.
  7. ​Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
  8. Add additional powdered sugar to a medium bowl and set aside. 
  9. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then gently roll the baked cookies in additional confectioner's sugar while they're still warm. 
  10. Place cookies on a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
  11. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

TIP

 Toast your pecans for a nuttier flavor and add them to a food processor to chop them quickly and easily.

A crescent cookie broken in half sitting on a plate of cookies.

How to Store Pecan Crescent Cookies

You can store these pecan crescents in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

To store cookies for a longer period, freeze them between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. where they will last for up to three months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.

Our Favorite Holiday Cookies

In addition to these crescent-shaped cookies, these other cookies are some of our holiday favorites:

Mexican Wedding Cookies, also known as Snowball Cookies, are pecan cookies with delicious pecan flavor and sweet powdered sugar coating.

These Thin and Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies include brown sugar, molasses, and vanilla extract. The cookies have crisp edges and soft, chewy centers. 

Peanut Butter Spritz Cookies are a nutty cookie that's made using a cookie press.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 24 cookies

Pecan Crescent Cookies

Pecan Crescent Cookies featured image.

Pecan Crescent Cookies are a popular holiday treat and perfect to add to holiday cookie trays. These soft, buttery cookies are shaped like crescents, filled with chopped pecans, and dusted with powdered sugar.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup confectioners' sugar (plus extra for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (170°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use ungreased cookie sheets.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. 
  3. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar on low speed until well combined.
  4. Stir in the chopped pecans and vanilla extract. 
  5. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until the dough comes together. It should be soft but not sticky.
  6. Take about a teaspoon of dough and shape dough into small crescent moons. Place each cookie on the prepared baking sheet, leaving two inches between them.
  7. ​Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
  8. Add additional powdered sugar to a medium bowl and set aside. 
  9. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then gently roll the baked cookies in additional confectioner's sugar while they're still warm. 
  10. Place cookies on a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
  11. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

Swap out the pecans for your favorite nuts - make sure to chop them into small pieces.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 179Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g

Nutrition calculation is a rough estimate and can vary depending on the cooking technique and the exact ingredients used. For informational purposes only.

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