15 Rich Pecan Dessert Recipes to Try This Week

Pecans are the ultimate way to add buttery crunch and depth to desserts. These recipes showcase the sweet, toasty richness of pecans in pies, cookies, cakes, and brownies that are anything but ordinary. From layered cheesecakes to soft-baked cookies and gooey bars, there’s a little something for everyone who loves nutty treats. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or craving something cozy, these ideas bring out the best in this Southern-favorite ingredient.

Double Chocolate Pecan Blondies

Stack of blondie bars with chocolate and white chocolate chips, surrounded by more bars and scattered chocolate chips on a white surface. — Double Chocolate Pecan Blondies. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

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These chewy bars bring together sweet vanilla blondie batter, cocoa, and toasted pecans. The pecans add a nutty crunch that balances the rich chocolate flavor. Each bite is dense and deeply satisfying. They’re quick to bake and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Pecan Blondies

Pecan Cobbler

Pecans bake into a buttery cake batter, forming a crisp topping over a gooey base. The pecans float to the top as the filling thickens. The result is part pie, part cake, and fully comforting. Spoon it warm with whipped cream.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Cobbler

Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

This pecan pie includes melty chocolate chunks in the sticky filling. The chocolate softens the sweetness and adds a fudgy note. The pecans stay crisp on top for texture. Slice and serve with a bit of cream.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies

Pecan cookies on a white plate, surrounded by pecan halves. — Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Using a cake mix gives these cookies a fluffy, soft texture. Toasted pecans add warmth and crunch to every bite. They’re easy to whip up in minutes. Perfect for lunchbox treats or potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

These classic cookies are buttery and rich with toasted pecans throughout. They bake up soft in the center with crisp edges. The pecans give them a nutty bite. Great to keep on hand for any snack moment.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pecan pie on a plate with a slice taken out. — Bourbon Pecan Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

A splash of bourbon deepens the flavor of the gooey pecan filling. The crust stays flaky while the top sets with toasted nuts. Each slice has warmth, crunch, and caramel richness. A Southern-style dessert with a twist.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pecan Sugar Cookies

Soft sugar cookies get a little extra flavor from chopped pecans. The dough holds its shape and bakes with golden edges. They’re sweet but balanced by the buttery pecans. A simple recipe with cozy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Sugar Cookies

Butter Pecan Meltaways

Three powdered sugar-covered cookies are on a plate, with one cookie cut in half to show its crumbly, nut-filled interior. — Butter Pecan Meltaways. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Powdered sugar coats these buttery, bite-sized cookies. Inside, you’ll find toasted pecans in a soft, crumbly dough. They practically dissolve on the tongue. Great for gifting or cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Meltaways

Chocolate Pecan Fudge

Creamy chocolate fudge gets a bit of crunch from toasted pecans. The nuts break up the richness for perfect balance. Slice into squares once set. A quick treat with old-fashioned charm.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Fudge

Pecan Pie Coffee Cake

This moist cake is layered with sweet pecan filling and a buttery crumb topping. It’s like breakfast and dessert in one. Serve with coffee or as a mid-morning snack. Stays fresh for days.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Coffee Cake

Butter Pecan Pound Cake

Toasted pecans mix into rich, dense pound cake batter. It bakes up golden with a tight crumb and buttery taste. A drizzle of glaze or caramel is optional. Slice thick and serve with tea.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Pound Cake

Pecan Pie Cake

This layer cake has pecan pie filling between moist vanilla cake layers. It’s sweet, sticky, and a bit decadent. The frosting can be simple to keep the filling in focus. Great for celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cake

Pecan Upside Down Cake

A slice of cake topped with chopped pecans on a white plate with a fork, in front of a larger dish of the same cake. — Pecan Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Caramel and pecans line the bottom of the pan, becoming the top once flipped. The pecans bake into a crunchy, candy-like layer. The cake underneath stays tender. Looks impressive, tastes even better.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Upside Down Cake

Pecan Pie Cookies

A thumbprint-style cookie with a soft base and gooey pecan center. The filling mimics classic pie flavor with chopped nuts and brown sugar. Each bite is chewy and nutty. Easier than baking a whole pie.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cookies

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

A hand uses a spoon to fill thumbprint cookies topped with chopped nuts with orange jam; a bowl of jam is in the background. — Pecan Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Thumbprint cookies filled with jam or caramel and rolled in crushed pecans. The pecans toast in the oven for extra flavor. Soft, chewy, and sweet. A great addition to your cookie collection.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Thumbprint Cookies