Easy Butter Pecan Cake Cookies for the Ultimate Cookie Swap 🎄

Some recipes exist because they’re impressive. Others exist because they’re practical. And then there are recipes like these Easy Butter Pecan Cake Cookies, which exist because December is exhausting and nobody has time for complicated nonsense. These cookies are simple, comforting, and perfectly suited for cookie swaps, holiday trays, and last-minute baking emergencies when you realize you promised to bring “something homemade.”

Butter pecan is one of those flavors that quietly feels like the holidays without screaming about it. It’s warm, nutty, and nostalgic in a way that reminds you of old recipe cards, tin cookie boxes, and kitchens that always smelled like sugar and butter this time of year. These cookies take that classic flavor and turn it into soft, cake-like bites with minimal effort and maximum payoff.

What makes this recipe especially perfect for cookie swaps is how forgiving it is. No chilling dough overnight. No rolling pins. No complicated steps that require silence and concentration. You mix everything in one bowl, scoop it, bake it, and suddenly you have a tray of cookies that look and taste like you tried much harder than you actually did.

They’re also great for bakers of all skill levels. If you’re confident in the kitchen, you’ll appreciate how fast they come together. If you’re new to baking or baking with kids, this recipe won’t punish you for small mistakes. The cake mix does most of the heavy lifting, which frankly is what it’s there for.

Add chopped pecans and Heath bar toffee bits, and you get layers of texture in every bite. Soft centers, lightly crisp edges, buttery flavor, and little bursts of caramel crunch. These are the cookies people reach for twice, then quietly wrap a few in a napkin “for later.”

Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or just because the calendar says December and your kitchen feels empty without cookies, these Butter Pecan Cake Cookies belong on your list.

Easy Butter Pecan Cake Cookies ( for the cookie swap 🎄)

Ingredients

Recipe: 1 box butter pecan cake mix, 2 eggs, 1 stick partially melted butter, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 bag Heath bar toffee bits

Instructions

Mix well, bake 1” balls at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes

Baking Tips and Easy Variations

Because this recipe is wonderfully simple, a few small tips can help you get consistently great results every time.

• Partially melted butter matters. You want it soft and mostly melted, not hot. Hot butter can make the dough too loose and cause excessive spreading.

• Don’t overbake. These cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them out. They’ll firm up as they cool and stay soft inside.

• Use a cookie scoop if you can. One-inch balls keep baking times even and make your cookies look uniform for swaps.

• Toast the pecans first if you want deeper flavor. A quick toast in a dry pan brings out their natural richness.

• Swap the add-ins if needed. White chocolate chips, chopped pralines, or caramel bits all work if Heath toffee bits are unavailable.

When and How to Serve Them

These cookies shine during the holiday season, but they’re not limited to December.

• Perfect for cookie swaps, bake sales, and office parties

• Great on dessert trays alongside chocolate-heavy cookies for balance

• Excellent with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate

• Ideal for gifting in tins or holiday bags

Their cake-like texture also makes them a favorite for people who prefer softer cookies over crunchy ones. They’re comforting, approachable, and not overly sweet, which makes them disappear faster than expected.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days

• Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking

• Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container

• Thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving

You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them straight from frozen. Just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.

FAQ

Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a cookie swap?
Yes. They hold up well for several days and stay soft, making them ideal for preparing in advance.

Do these cookies spread a lot?
They spread slightly but mostly keep their shape, especially when baked as 1-inch balls.

Can I use unsalted butter instead?
Yes. The cake mix already contains salt, so unsalted butter works just fine.

Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
They are soft, cake-like cookies with a tender crumb and bits of crunch from the pecans and toffee.