The Ultimate Chewy Maple Syrup Fudge Pecan Cookies: Your Go-To Holiday Gift Recipe
Imagine a tender, chewy cookie, infused with the rich, warm flavors of maple, and studded with crunchy pecans. Now, elevate that dream with a surprise at its heart: a molten, decadent piece of your favorite holiday candy. Yes, please! These Chewy Maple Syrup Fudge Pecan Cookies are not just a dessert; they are a festive revelation, making them truly perfect gifts for the season and an unforgettable addition to any holiday table.
It might sound like a cliché, but one of the most profound joys I find in baking is the opportunity to share the delicious “fruits of my labor” with others. After all, who bakes an entire cake just for themselves? The act of creating something sweet and delectable is inherently about connection, about bringing smiles, and about showing appreciation. The holiday season, with its spirit of generosity and togetherness, provides the perfect excuse to dive headfirst into a baking frenzy. It’s a magical time when I can not only prepare an abundance of delightful desserts for countless festive dinners but also craft heartfelt edible gifts that carry a personal touch.
As someone who is always eager to embrace new baking challenges and expand my repertoire, this past year, I eagerly seized the opportunity to participate in “The Great Food Bloggers Cookie Swap.” This remarkable annual event brings together a vibrant community of food bloggers from across the globe, united by their shared passion for cookies and a common purpose. Each blogger who registers receives the addresses of three other participants, to whom they are tasked with sending a dozen homemade cookies. Beyond the fun of baking and sharing, the event carries a deeper significance: the registration fee is entirely donated to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. This national non-profit organization is tirelessly committed to funding innovative new therapies desperately needed in the fight against pediatric cancer, a devastating disease that tragically claims the lives of more children in the United States than any other. By joining the cookie swap, participants not only get to indulge in the pleasure of receiving and enjoying delicious, creative cookies but also contribute directly to a truly inspiring and impactful cause, making every bite a little sweeter.
For me, the act of sending carefully wrapped packages is genuinely one of my most cherished activities. In fact, I often find myself dreaming of a business model that would allow me to spend my days simply wrapping and shipping beautifully presented parcels! Every December, without fail, I delight in sending homemade cookies and candies to dear friends and valued clients. It’s my heartfelt way of expressing gratitude for a wonderful year, a small token of appreciation that carries a lot of warmth. Given this personal passion, it’s no surprise that The Great Food Bloggers Cookie Swap was an absolutely perfect holiday event for me, blending my love for baking, gifting, and supporting a meaningful cause.
The cookies I lovingly baked and shipped to my fellow bloggers—Sharana, Jane, and Amanda—are a harmonious blend of two of my absolute favorite indulgences: my go-to baking nut, the humble yet versatile pecan, and my ultimate holiday candy, the rich, buttery Maple Syrup Fudge. Yes, you read that right. Prepare for an extraordinary delight: each and every cookie contains a delectable, melt-in-your-mouth piece of maple syrup fudge right in its core! If that doesn’t sound like pure heaven encapsulated in cookie form, then I honestly don’t know what does. The combination creates an irresistible symphony of textures and flavors – the crisp edge, the soft, chewy interior, the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans, and then, that glorious, warm, gooey maple fudge center. It’s a truly transformative experience. I’ve found myself baking no fewer than five batches of these exquisite wonders over the past two weeks alone, and I fully intend to keep the production line going, simply because they are *that* good. While you do need to prepare the maple syrup fudge before you embark on the cookie-making adventure, there’s a delightful silver lining: you’ll likely have plenty of extra fudge leftover, perfect for snacking on as you meticulously shape and bake these delightful cookies. Furthermore, presenting these cookies alongside a few separate pieces of the luxurious maple fudge makes for the sweetest, most thoughtful gift imaginable—one that will undoubtedly earn you annual requests from now on, becoming a beloved holiday tradition for all who receive them.
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Pin Recipe
Chewy Maple Syrup Fudge and Pecan Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ¼ tsp (1 ml) baking soda
- Pinch of kosher salt
- ½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened (see Make it Dairy Free note below)
- ¾ cup (180 ml) brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup toasted pecans coarsely chopped, plus 20 toasted pecan halves, for topping
- 16 cubes ½ inch (1 cm) of prepared Maple Syrup Fudge
Instructions
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Position a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl, if you’re using a handheld mixer), cream the softened butter and packed brown sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Reduce the mixer speed to the lowest setting, or use a sturdy wooden spoon, and gradually stir in the dry ingredients just until they are combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the coarsely chopped pecans.
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Lightly dust your hands with flour to prevent sticking. Take approximately 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of cookie dough and gently shape it into a ball. Using a mini ice cream scoop can make this step much easier and ensures consistent sizing. Gently press a cube of the prepared maple syrup fudge into the center of the dough ball, then carefully mold the dough around it, ensuring the fudge is completely enclosed and sealed within the cookie dough.
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Place 10 shaped cookies on each prepared baking sheet, ensuring you leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of space around each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. Gently press one toasted pecan half onto the top of each cookie before baking, adding a beautiful finishing touch and extra nutty flavor.
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Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, for approximately 7 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color. The centers of the cookies will still appear very soft when you remove them from the oven; this is normal and contributes to their chewy texture. They will firm up as they cool. Carefully transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheet. This crucial step helps them set without breaking. Repeat the baking process for the second batch of cookies.
SERVING
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For the best flavor and texture, serve these delightful cookies at room temperature. If they have been refrigerated, allow them to return to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before enjoying them.
STORAGE
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Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Please note that these particular cookies do not freeze well due to the fudge filling.
MAKE IT DAIRY FREE
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To easily adapt this recipe to be dairy-free, simply substitute the unsalted butter with a high-quality dairy-free buttery shortening. I highly recommend using Earth Balance’s Vegan Buttery Sticks for excellent results.
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Recipe Credit: This recipe has been thoughtfully adapted from Ricardo Best Cookies: 72 Spectacular Recipes.
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These Chewy Maple Syrup Fudge Pecan Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re an experience, a blend of traditional holiday flavors with an unexpected, delightful twist. Whether you’re baking them for a cookie swap, as thoughtful homemade gifts, or simply to enjoy with your loved ones, they are guaranteed to bring warmth and joy. The combination of chewy cookie, crunchy pecans, and a luscious maple fudge center creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave everyone asking for the recipe. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the spirit of baking and sharing, and create some sweet memories this season. Happy baking!