Praline Cookies

These Praline Cookies are soft, buttery brown sugar cookies topped with crunchy pecans and a sweet praline icing. A tried-and-true favorite from our catering days, these cookies are perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, or homemade gifts!

If you love the rich, buttery flavor of pecans and brown sugar, these Praline Cookies are going to be a new favorite! During our eight years in the catering business, these cookies were the most requested dessert of the Christmas Season.

They are soft, chewy, topped with crunchy pecans, and finished with a sweet praline icing that tastes like Southern pecan praline candy. They are easy enough for everyday baking but special enough for holiday cookie trays, parties, and homemade gifts.

If you like this easy cookie, be sure to try my Monster Cookies or Pecan Pie Cookies.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• A tried-and-true favorite: These cookies were the most requested holiday dessert during our catering years! They are a crowd-pleaser.
• Classic Southern Flavor: Brown sugar, butter, and pecans come together for that irresistible praline flavor!
• Easy to make ahead: Prepare the dough in advance and bake when you are ready for fresh cookies!

What are Christmas Pralines Cookies

• Christmas Praline Cookies combine everything we love about Southern praline candy in a soft, buttery cookie. The brown sugar cookie dough is topped with chopped pecans and finished with a sweet icing made with brown sugar and cream.
• Traditional pralines are a candy made with sugar and nuts. In the Southern version, pecans are the star, and that rich, caramel-like flavor is what makes these cookies so delicious.

Ingredients

For the Cookies

• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter helps create a rich cookie with a tender texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like flavor that makes praline desserts so yummy!
• Egg: A great binder for the cookies, and room temperature works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the brown sugar flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure; make sure to measure carefully!
• Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a little lift!
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Pecans: Finely chopped pecans add the signature nutty crunch!

For the Praline Icing

• Brown Sugar: Creates the rich praline flavor.
• Confectioner's Sugar: Helps create a smooth, sweet icing.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Brings the icing together into a creamy topping.

How to Make A Christmas Praline Cookie

Make the Cookie Dough

1. Cream the butter and Sugar. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

2. Add the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a dough forms.

3. Chill the dough. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until the dough is firm enough to handle. Chilling helps make the dough easier to shape.

Bake the Cookies

4. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 320°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.

5. Shape and bake. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers and sprinkle chopped pecans on top.

Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set. Let them cool on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Make the Praline Icing

6. Prepare the Icing. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the brown sugar, confectioner's sugar, and heavy whipping cream. Stir until the sugars dissolve and the mixture is smooth. Avoid letting the mixture boil.

7. Top the cookies. While the cookies are still slightly warm or have cooled enough to handle, drizzle a small amount of praline icing over each cookie. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing.

Expert Tips

• Cream the butter and sugar well. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This incorporates air into the dough and helps create a more even cookie.
• Use a cookie scoop: A cookie scoop helps portion the dough into uniform cookies so they bake evenly. It is also easier and less messy than rolling each cookie by hand. Plus, it helps you handle the dough less to keep it from getting too warm.
• Check your baking powder: If your cookies spread too much or turn out flat, make sure your baking powder hasn't expired. Old baking powder does not provide the lift your cookies need.
• Keep the dough cool: Warm dough can cause cookies to spread too much during baking. Chilling the dough for the full hour helps it firm up and makes it easier to handle.

Substitutions and Variations

• Pecans: Pecans give the classic praline flavor, but you can substitute chopped walnuts if that is what you have on hand.
• Vanilla extract: Swap the vanilla for a little maple extract for a different flavor that pairs nicely with the brown sugar and pecans.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt: Add a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the icing to balance the sweetness and give the cookies a bakery-style finish.

Storage

• Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them in a single layer when possible, or separate layers with parchment paper to protect the icing.
• You can freeze the cookies once the icing sets. Place in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

FAQs

More Cookie Recipes

• Monster Cookies
• Pecan Pie Cookies
• Chocolate Chipless Cookies
• Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies