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Bourbon Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Makes 20 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup (38 grams) chopped pecans
  • 11/3 cups (167 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (32 grams) cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon (2.25 grams) kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (55 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg (50 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons (10 grams) bourbon
  • Bourbon Pecan Filling (recipe follows)
  • Garnish: pecan halves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In the work bowl of a food processor, pulse chopped pecans until finely ground. Transfer to a medium bowl; add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt, whisking to combine. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugars at medium speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add egg, oil, and bourbon, beating well. With mixer on low speed, gradually add pecan mixture to butter mixture, beating until combined.
  • Using a 11/2-tablespoon spring-loaded scoop, scoop dough into mounds (about 30 grams each). Using floured hands, roll each mound into a smooth ball, and place 2 inches apart on prepared pans. Using your thumb or the handle of a wooden spoon, gently make an indentation in center of each ball that is deep enough to hold filling.
  • Bake until edges are lightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks. Spoon about 1 teaspoon
  • (6 grams) warm Bourbon Pecan Filling into center of each cookie. Top with pecan halves, if desired.
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