Pecan Crescent Cookies
I still remember the first time I filled the kitchen with the warm, nutty scent of pecans and butter — these Pecan Crescent Cookies became an instant family favorite. Delicate, crisp at the edges and melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, they’re the kind of cookie you make for holidays, a weekend tea, or when you want a nostalgic, simple treat. If you enjoy buttery, nut-forward cookies, this version is straightforward enough for beginners and satisfying for experienced bakers alike. For another take on buttery pecan cookies, see this related recipe I developed: my butter pecan cookies post.
Why you’ll love this dish
These little crescents are a brilliant balance of rich butter, toasted pecans and a light dusting of powdered sugar that gives them a festive look. They bake quickly and keep well, making them perfect for cookie swaps, holiday trays, or a last-minute dessert. The dough is forgiving — it won’t overproof or collapse — so you can shape them by hand without special equipment.
“Perfect for holiday trays: delicate, nutty and never too sweet. My whole family asks for the recipe every year.”
Because they’re essentially a shortbread with nuts, they’re also easy to portion and adapt. Looking for a similar buttery cookie with a slightly different crunch? Try this other butter-pecan variation I test-baked: butter pecan cookies recipe.
Step-by-step overview
This recipe is a classic—cream, fold, shape and bake. First you cream the butter and powdered sugar until light. Add vanilla, then gently stir in the flour and salt to form a tender dough. Fold in finely chopped pecans, shape the dough into small crescents, bake for 12–15 minutes, then dust with extra powdered sugar once slightly cooled. Total hands-on time is about 20 minutes; oven time is short, so plan to cool before serving.
What you’ll need
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature for easy creaming)
- 1 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar, plus more for dusting
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped (toast first for more flavor — see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Substitutions/notes:
- Swap up to half the pecans for walnuts if you prefer a milder nut flavor.
- For a vegan version, use a firm vegan butter and check your powdered sugar for bone char.
- If you like extra nuttiness, lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes until fragrant, then cool and chop.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use ungreased sheets.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with 1 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes 2–3 minutes with a hand mixer.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Add the flour and salt gradually. Mix just until a soft dough forms — avoid overworking it.
- Fold in the finely chopped pecans so they’re evenly distributed.
- Pinch or roll small portions of dough into little logs, then form into crescent shapes. Place them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden. The centers should stay pale.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the sheet. Carefully transfer to a wire rack.
- Once slightly cooled but not hot, dust generously with additional powdered sugar. Serve when fully cooled.
Best ways to enjoy it
These cookies are lovely on their own with coffee or tea. For holiday platters, arrange crescents on a tiered tray with sprigs of rosemary or holly for color. Serve alongside:
- A pot of black tea or Turkish coffee for contrast with the powdered sugar.
- A scoop of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream for a dessert plate.
- Fresh fruit like sliced pears or figs for a more elevated holiday spread.
How to store & freeze
Room temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Use parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Refrigeration: Not necessary unless your kitchen is very warm; chilling can firm them but may dry them out.
Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and re-dust with powdered sugar if needed.
Dough freezing: Form crescents, freeze on a sheet until firm, then store in a zip bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Food safety: Always cool cookies completely before sealing to avoid condensation and sogginess.
Pro chef tips
- Use room-temperature butter; it creams more easily and traps air for a lighter texture.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour — stop as soon as the dough comes together to keep cookies tender.
- Uniform portioning matters: use a small cookie scoop or weigh dough portions for even baking.
- If crescents spread too much, chill the shaped dough 15–20 minutes before baking.
- For extra visual contrast, sift powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve right before serving.
Creative twists
- Chocolate-dipped crescents: after cooling, dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate and let set.
- Citrus-kissed: add 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest to the dough for a bright note.
- Spiced pecans: toss chopped pecans with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg before folding them in.
- Gluten-free: substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — watch texture and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend lacks it. For more nut-cookie ideas and inspiration, take a look at another variation I wrote about: butter pecan cookie variations.
Common questions
Q: How long do these cookies take from start to finish?
A: Hands-on time is about 20 minutes. Baking is 12–15 minutes. With cooling and dusting, plan 40–50 minutes total.
Q: Can I replace pecans with other nuts or make them nut-free?
A: Yes. Walnuts or almonds work well. For nut-free cookies, substitute toasted sunflower seeds (finely chopped) or omit nuts and add 1/4 cup extra flour for structure.
Q: Will the powdered sugar melt if I dust while cookies are still warm?
A: If cookies are hot, powdered sugar will absorb and look wet. Wait until they’re warm to the touch — slightly cooled — then dust for a snowy finish.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. Refrigerate wrapped dough for up to 48 hours. Bring to room temperature before shaping, or shape and chill overnight.
Q: Is there a way to keep them from breaking during transfer?
A: Let them set on the baking sheet a few minutes, then use a thin spatula to move them. Cool completely on a rack before packing.
Conclusion
If you want a classic, crowd-pleasing cookie with effortless charm, these Pecan Crescent Cookies are a go-to recipe. For a time-tested reference with similar roots, check out this Pecan Crescents Recipe. For another modern take and presentation ideas, see this feature on PECAN CRESCENT COOKIES | Food & Table.
Pecan Crescent Cookies
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Room temperature for easy creaming
- 1 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar Plus more for dusting
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped Toast first for more flavor — see notes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use ungreased sheets.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with 1 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes with a hand mixer.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until a soft dough forms — avoid overworking it.
- Fold in the finely chopped pecans so they’re evenly distributed.
- Pinch or roll small portions of dough into little logs, then form into crescent shapes. Place them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
Baking
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden while the centers should stay pale.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Carefully transfer to a wire rack.
- Once slightly cooled but not hot, dust generously with additional powdered sugar. Serve when fully cooled.
