Pecan Nougats

30 cookies Prep: 15 m Cook: 10 m Total: 25 m Beginner
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Pecan Nougats
One of my favorite things ever, growing up! These buttery pecan cookies have a chewy, nougat-like texture with crispy edges. Made with ground pecans, brown sugar, and egg whites, they’re irresistible when cooled completely - the hardest part is waiting!

Ingredients

30 servings
  • 4 cups ground pecans
  • 1 stick butter (1/2 cup / 8 tbsp / 115 g)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 egg whites

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients well and shape into medium size balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and press down on ball with fork or spoon to flatten.
  3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F until edges are lightly golden.
  4. Cookies will appear to not be cooked but they MUST cool completely before you attempt to remove from the pan. This allows the texture to set properly.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why did my cookies fall apart when I tried to remove them?

A: You must let them cool completely on the pan before attempting to remove them. They appear underdone when hot but firm up as they cool. Wait at least 15-20 minutes.

Q: Can I use whole pecans instead of ground?

A: No, the ground pecans are essential to the texture. Use a food processor to grind them to a coarse meal consistency - not too fine like flour, but well broken down.

Q: Why are my cookies too soft or too hard?

A: Watch the baking time closely. 8-10 minutes should give you chewy centers with slightly crisp edges. Overbaking will make them hard and brittle.

Tips and Techniques

Grind the pecans in a food processor to a coarse meal - don’t over-process or they’ll turn into pecan butter. The cookies should look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven; they’ll firm up as they cool.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • butter: margarine
  • brown sugar: all white sugar
  • pecans: walnuts

Equipment Needed

  • food processor or nut grinder
  • cookie sheet
  • mixing bowl
  • fork or spoon for flattening

Historical Context

Pecan cookies and candies are deeply rooted in Louisiana’s culinary heritage, as pecan trees thrive in the Southern climate. These nougat-style cookies bridge the gap between traditional pralines and cookies.