3.6 from 1,092 votes
Butter Pecan Shortbread
Butter Pecan Shortbread is a classic buttery shortbread loaded up with crunchy pecans.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 336 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar.
- 1 Tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp butter extract, optional
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 5 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cup toasted pecans, rough chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- Lightly spray a 9x9 square baking dish. I like to line mine with parchment paper so I can easily lift the shortbread out for slicing, but this is optional.
- Whisk the melted butter with the sugar and molasses in a large mixing bowl. Make sure to work out any lumps in the sugar.
- Blend in the extracts, and then stir in the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir just until the dough starts to come together.
- Fold in the nuts so they are evenly distributed and there is no dry flour left.
- Crumble the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Pat the dough down with your hands, nudging it out so it fills the pan and is all even. You don't want a mound of dough in the middle, you want to flatten it out from side to side, evenly. I like to use an offset spatula to smooth the surface of the dough. If you like you can sink a few extra pecan halves into the top of the dough for a pretty look.
- Bake for about 25 minutes. The top will still look pale, but the dough will be just beginning to turn golden around the edges.
- Cool on a rack for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- To toast pecan halves, lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for about 10-15 minutes at 350F. Give the pan a shake once or twice during cooking. Let the nuts cool before chopping.
- Recipe was revised and updated in 2021.
Nutrition Information
Calories
336kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
31g
(10%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
41mg
(14%)
Sodium
6mg
(0%)
Potassium
106mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
478IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
26mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 336
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 336kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 6mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 106mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 478IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 26mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.