Preparation:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make clean-up easier.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the natural peanut butter, egg, sugar-free sweetener, vanilla extract, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and a smooth dough forms. The mixture should be thick and easy to shape. Gently fold in the chopped pecans to evenly distribute them throughout the dough, adding a crunchy texture in every bite.

Step 3: Form the Cookies

Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball using your hands. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Press down gently on each cookie with a fork to create a crisscross pattern, flattening them slightly to ensure they bake evenly.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them, as these cookies can brown quickly due to the natural oils in the peanut butter. The centers may look slightly underdone, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking apart. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before enjoying. These cookies are best once they’ve cooled, as they’ll be firm yet deliciously chewy and crunchy.