CHOCOLATE PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Pecan Shortbread Cookies made with rich cocoa powder, buttery shortbread dough, and crunchy chopped pecans. Finished with a silky drizzle of melted chocolate, these cookies deliver pure chocolate goodness in every crumb.

I’ve always loved shortbread cookies—there’s just something about that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crispness that feels absolutely divine. I recently created a chocolate twist on my favorite mint shortbread, and the results are incredible! They’re easy to make, full of rich flavor, and so pretty on a holiday cookie tray. Chocolate shortbread definitely deserves a spot on your Christmas cookie list!

Ingredients for Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Butter: 1 cup butter provides richness, tenderness, and that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Sugar: Use sugar to sweeten the dough perfectly.

Extract: Enhance the overall flavor and balance the cocoa’s bitterness with 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Cocoa Powder: ¼ cup cocoa powder gives the cookies their chocolate flavor.

Flour: When combined with butter, flour creates the tender, sandy crumb shortbread is known for.

Baking powder: 1 tsp baking powder helps the cookies puff up slightly as they bake.

Salt: Balance sweetness and enhance the chocolate flavor by adding ¼ tsp salt.

Add ins: Add crunch in every bit with ⅓ cup chopped pecans.

Chocolate: Top the cookies with melted chocolate chips.

Kitchen Tools for making Shortbread Cookies recipe

Here are two of my favorite kitchen items I use to make these shortbread cookies. I actually use these items in nearly every cookie recipe I make, as well as several other types of recipes, so they’re quite versatile.

• First, I line my cookie sheets with a piece of parchment paper. They’re sold in sizes that fit a 12×16 cookie sheet perfectly and enable to cookies to bake well without sticking- and no mess from spraying oil on the cookie sheets!
• The second item is a KitchenAid mixer. I love mine! I have a Bosch as well but I find I use my KitchenAid for cookies. There is a cookie paddle that comes with every mixer that you attach to the mixer. They’re easy to use and help you mix the ingredients uniformly. I also use the metal whisk attachment in this recipe to make the frosting. It whips it up super fast! Add this to your wish list because it’s one of my all-time used small appliances ever!

How long are chocolate covered shortbread cookies good for?

These cookies stay fresh for about 5–7 days when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, adding parchment between layers as the chocolate drizzle makes them prone to sticking.

If you’d like to store them longer, they freeze beautifully for up to 2–3 months—just freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Can I use a different nut instead of pecans?

Yes! Walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts work perfectly. You can also leave the nuts out entirely if you prefer a smoother shortbread.

Why is my shortbread dough crumbly?

Shortbread dough is naturally crumbly, but it should hold together when pressed. If it’s too dry to shape, mix in 1–2 teaspoons of milk or water until it comes together.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling isn’t always required, but it does help the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading. If the dough feels soft or warm, chill it for 20–30 minutes before baking.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely—shortbread is great for make-ahead baking! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Baked cookies also freeze very well.

Try more holiday cookies & shortbread cookies recipes here:

• Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are buttery shortbread treats rolled in crunchy pecans, baked to perfection, and filled with warm, gooey caramel. They’re an irresistible holiday favorite that always disappears first at cookie exchanges!
• These Mint Christmas Cookies are dipped in smooth chocolate and finished with festive holiday sprinkles. Their bright green color makes them perfect for cookie exchanges, gift plates, and adding a pop of cheer to any holiday spread!
• This recipe for Holiday Star Cookies are dipped in white chocolate and coated in festive sprinkles, they’re the sparkling holiday cookie everyone reaches for first!
• Frosted Rose Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies topped with a beautiful red and green swirled rosette that looks just like a blooming rose. With no chilling or rolling required, these elegant cookies are as easy as they are stunning—perfect for gifting or holiday dessert trays!
• Ginger Molasses Cookies packed with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and fresh ginger. Rolled in coarse turbinado sugar, they boast a rich molasses flavor with a delightfully crisp exterior—perfect for cozy holiday snacking!

Pecan Shortbread Cookies are buttery, chocolatey treats studded with crunchy chopped pecans. Topped with a silky drizzle of melted chocolate, they deliver rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodness in every bite.