Now, let’s turn our kitchen into a haven of delightful smells and delicious tastes.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. I like to think of this step as channeling my mom’s magic with a wooden spoon.
3. Add the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing well until everything is combined. The aroma at this point is simply divine!
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Fold in the chopped pecans, doing your best to spread them evenly throughout the dough.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This is a perfect step to involve the kids if they’re around!
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro tip: Slightly underbake them for a chewier texture, just like my kids prefer!