Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies
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Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies are the ultimate shortcut treat. They are soft, chewy, and bursting with buttery pecan flavor. With just a few simple ingredients, a boxed cake mix and applesauce, you can whip up a batch in minutes. No complicated steps, no long ingredient list, just cozy, melt‑in‑your‑mouth cookies that taste like they’ve been baking all afternoon.
If you want more short cut cookie recipes, try my Lemon Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies and my Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies. Just because they are quick and easy does not mean they are not delicious. In fact they are amazing.
Why this Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies Recipe Works
There’s so many amazing ways to use cake mixes for unique desserts. There is nothing better than easy desserts you can whip up without stressing or spending the whole day in the kitchen. These warm butter cookies are soft and delicious.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container for up to five days.
- Delicious Cookies: Homemade cookies in just minutes with only a few easy ingredients.
- Simple Ingredients: A box of butter pecan cake mix and applesauce for these delicious cookies.
- Family Friendly: Your kids are going to love the flavor of these buttery cookies and that they don’t take much time to make!
- Adaptable: Can make it low-calorie, or add fun chips such as toffee bits or butterscotch chips to these delicious cake mix cookies. Add pecans and toffee bits for more butter pecan flavor.
Why Are My Butter Pecan Cookie Dough Too Sticky/Loose?
Cake mix cookie dough is often softer than traditional cookie dough. If it’s too sticky to roll, try chilling it for 30 minutes to an hour. Adding a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch can also help absorb excess moisture and can make a crispier cookie.
Pro Tip for Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies
Applesauce adds moisture but removes fat, which can make cake‑mix cookies puffier, cakier, and more prone to sticking. To keep the texture soft but still cookie‑like, add: 1–2 tablespoons of all‑purpose flour to the dough
Ingredient Notes for Butter Pecan Cookies from Cake Mix
You will love the vintage taste of these buttery toffee cookies without a lot of ingredients or too much effort. Bake the cookies and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Dry Cake Mix: 1 box (about 15.25 oz) Butter Pecan Cake Mix is needed for the recipe.
- Eggs: 2 large Eggs. Ensure they are at room temperature for better blending.
Variations and Substitutions to Love this Recipe
- Fat: You can replace the applesauce with melted butter or vegetable oil.
- Flavor: Try adding butter extract or vanilla extract to the batter.
- Mix-ins: Add 1 cup Pecan Halves, divided. Toasting them lightly enhances the flavor. Or try a1/2 cup Toffee Bits (like Heath BITS ‘O BRICKLE)Adds sweetness, crunch, and a delicious caramel/butter flavor. Chocolate chips or white chocolate chips can also be added.
Special Equipment Needed for Butter Toffee Cookies
- Cookie Scoop (2-tablespoon size): Essential for uniform sizing, which ensures even baking.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Highly recommended to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Wire Rack to Cool Completely: For allowing the cookies to cool completely and prevent soggy bottoms.
How to Make Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies
You’ll love this Butter Pecan Cookies with Cake Mix recipe because it delivers all the cozy, homemade flavor you crave with almost no effort. Just two simple ingredients come together to create cookies that are golden, buttery, and filled with that irresistible pecan sweetness. They bake up in minutes, making them perfect for last‑minute gatherings, after‑school treats, or whenever you want a warm bite of comfort without the fuss.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep: First, preheat oven to 350. Then, in a large bowl, mix ingredients together until combined. Do not overmix. Roll into 1.5 inch balls. Then place onto a parchment lined ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 7-9 minutes or until there are cracks on the top of cookies and they are golden brown. Let cool on baking tray for 10 minutes.
- Glaze: Meanwhile make the glaze. Finally, dip cookies in icing. Allow to dry on a wire rack.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Easy Butter Pecan Cookies
You can prepare your chopped pecans if you are going to add them to your cookies. Also:
- Make and Chill the Dough: Prepare the dough, scoop it into balls, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Chilled dough also tends to spread less when baked.
- Freeze the Dough: Scoop the dough into balls, flash freeze, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake them straight from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Alternate Cooking Methods
- Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F–325°F (150°C–160°C). Place the dough balls in the basket (work in batches, ensuring they don’t touch) and cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Pan Cookies/Bar: Press the entire dough batch into a greased 8×8 or 9×13 baking pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storage (Baked)Airtight container at room temperature.Will keep fresh for 4-5 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help keep them soft.
- Freezing (Baked)Airtight container or freezer bag.Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Use Leftovers: Cookie Crumbles or Ice Cream ToppingCrumble stale cookies over ice cream, mix them into a milkshake, or use them as the crust for a no-bake cheesecake.
Common Questions About This Easy Cake Mix Recipe
Flatten the dough before baking. Press cookie dough balls down with a fork or the bottom of a glass. Thinner cookies bake up crispier. Bake a little longer Pull cookies out when the edges are golden brown. Slightly overbaking (without burning) dries them out for crunch.
The edges should be lightly set and slightly golden brown, but the centers may still look a little soft. They will finish setting up as they cool on the baking sheet. Avoid overbaking if you want that classic soft, chewy center.
Expert Tips to Love Cake Mix Cookies
You can add texture with pecans and toffee to these delicious butter pecan cookies.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry cake mix to the wet ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cookies tough.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature, as they emulsify better with the fat (oil/butter), leading to a smoother, more uniform dough.
- Toasting Pecans: For an even deeper, nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the dough.
- Pressing the Tops: Gently press a pecan half or a sprinkle of coarse sugar onto the top of each dough ball before baking for a beautiful visual touch and extra crunch.
- Serve this recipe with: Serve with my Sweet Cream Cold Brew and Cheesecake Cookies.
More Recipes You Might Like
Butter Pecan Cookies with Cake Mix
Equipment
- 9×13 Inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
Cookies
- 15.25 ounces Butter Pecan Cake Mix
- ⅓ cup Applesauce, unsweetened
- 2 Large Eggs
Glaze
- ½ cup Powdered icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon Milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix ingredients together until combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll into 1.5 inch balls.
- Place onto a parchment lined baking tray.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes or until there are cracks on the top of cookies.
- Let cool on baking tray for 10 minutes.
- Dip cookies in icing.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Chips: Toffee chips, chocolate chips or candies can be a wonderful addition.
- Nuts: Feel free to add more pecans to these tasty cookies.
- Variation tip: Maple extract can be added to the glaze for even more flavor.
- Top: Place a candied pecan or fun sprinkles on top of the cookies.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Bake these cookies in the air fryer. Cook at 300 for around 8 minutes.
- Dietary consideration tip: Sugar free cake mix or sugar alternatives can also be great in this recipe.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
Oh wow these were really tasty and so easy to make!
Sa tasty!!
Love that there’s only four ingredients in these! So good and so easy!
Butter Pecan is one of our favorite flavors. The whole family enjoyed these simple cookies!
Love these pecan cookies, I love how versatile cake mixes are!!
I loved these cookies!
Are you sure about 2 cups of applesauces? I honestly don’t think I can roll out cookies with this batter. I used a lots of other cake mix cookie recipes and this just seems off
This recipe calls for the batter to be rolled into balls, not flat.
Good Luck!!
what can I use instead of applesauce?