Butter Pecan Dessert Recipes to Sweeten Thanksgiving Dinner
These butter pecan dessert recipes are everything you need to bring warmth, crunch, and rich holiday magic to your table packed with nutty, buttery goodness and perfect for any Thanksgiving feast.
Ingredients
- Toasted pecans
- Butter preferably browned
- Brown sugar
- White chocolate or butterscotch chips
- Vanilla extract
- Boxed butter pecan cake mix optional for poke cake
- Cream cheese or dulce de leche depending on the dessert
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Sea salt
- Graham cracker crumbs for cheesecake
- Heavy cream or milk for frostings and fillings
Instructions
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet or oven for 5–7 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Use browned butter for depth in cookies, cakes, and frostings.
- For fudge or bark, melt your base (white chocolate or butterscotch), mix in toasted pecans, and let it chill before breaking into pieces.
- To make cupcakes or blondies, fold toasted pecans and white chocolate into your batter and bake until golden.
- Make the poke cake by baking the boxed mix, poking holes, and pouring over dulce de leche before chilling.
- For cheesecake, combine a graham crust with a creamy, pecan-studded filling and chill well before serving.
- Top desserts with sea salt, caramel drizzle, or whipped cream to enhance the richness.
- Store in airtight containers and refrigerate where needed; many taste even better the next day.
Notes
Make a double batch—you’ll thank yourself. Butter pecan desserts are ideal for make-ahead prep and gifting. Just don’t skip toasting the pecans—it’s a game-changer.