Description
These easy no-bake pecan cranberry cookies combine buttery caramelized sweetness with crunchy pecans and chewy dried cranberries for a simple treat that sets beautifully at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
- Pecan halves, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper and set them aside near your stovetop work area.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and evaporated milk over medium heat.
- Stir constantly until the butter melts and the sugar fully dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Once it is boiling rapidly, set a timer for exactly 2 minutes and let it boil without stirring.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately.
- Carefully stir in the vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries until evenly combined.
- Continue stirring vigorously off the heat for about 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture begins to slightly thicken and loses its glossy shine.
- Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the warm mixture onto the prepared baking sheets.
- If desired, gently press a pecan half into the center of each cookie before they set.
- Let the cookies rest at room temperature until completely cool, set, and firm before serving or storing.
Notes
Set a timer for exactly 2 minutes once the sugar-butter mixture reaches a full rolling boil. Have the pecans, cranberries, and vanilla pre-measured before starting. In humid weather, allow an extra 10–15 minutes of cooling time or refrigerate the tray briefly for a quicker set.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg