Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups pecan halves, finely chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted until browned

1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs, at room temperature

16 pecan halves, for decoration, optional

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INSTRUCTIONS

Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in chopped pecans and cook until lightly toasted, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Set aside.

Melt 2 sticks (8 ounces) butter in a skillet over medium heat; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

Remove pan from heat and pour butter into a large, heatproof mixing bowl. Add sugars and whisk well to combine. Stir in vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined.

Fold in the flour, stirring until just combined.

Fold in the toasted buttered pecans.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 375F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Scoop 3 tablespoon sized rounds of dough onto the prepared sheet, leaving 2 inches in between each cookie for spreading. Sprinkle warm cookies with a little granulated sugar, if desired.

Firmly press a pecan half on top of each ball of cookie dough, bake in preheated oven for 9 minutes, or until edges are set and the center is still a little soft.

Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.