Indulge in the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat with these Pecan Sandies! Rich, buttery, and absolutely mouthwatering, this recipe boasts an amazing nutty flavor that’s impossible to resist. Whether dunking them in a morning coffee or just having an afternoon snack, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
Table of Contents
What Are Pecan Sandies Cookies?
Sandies Cookies are a type of buttery shortbread cookie made with the addition of roasted pecans. Similar to Mexican wedding cookies, they feature simple ingredients and a sweet, buttery taste with just a bit of crunch. A popular snack, they are also found in the cookie aisle at most grocery stores!
Who Made the Original Version?
Sandies cookies are based on French sablé cookies. Essentially, they’re the same thing. In French, sablé means “sandy” and is used to refer to the crumbly, sandy-like texture of the cookie. It can also be used to reference the tan, sand-like color of the cookies. The origins of sablé cookies can be traced all the way back to medieval France! However, the name Sandies Cookies as we know them in America today was registered by the Keebler company in 1955 when they began packaging and selling the cookies to American markets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping all the simple, delicious flavor you know and love, these homemade pecan Sandies come together with just a few ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter – This is key to creating a rich flavor and tender, flakey texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Use 100% pure vanilla extract.
- Powdered Sugar – This sweetens the pecan Sandies recipe, and contributes to their soft, melty consistency.
- All-Purpose Flour – If needed, swap it out for a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour instead.
- Pecans – Chop them very finely, or to save time, buy them pre-chopped.
- Sea Salt – A pinch helps enhance the rest of the ingredients.
Variations
While the simple flavor and minimal ingredients are part of what makes these pecan Sandies cookies so scrumptious, there are several variations you might want to try!
- Omit the nuts to make these cookies allergy-friendly.
- Fold in sprinkles for a bit of color or festive flair.
- Place a chunk of chocolate into the center of the cookies, or fold chocolate chips into the dough.
- For a special holiday recipe, fold crushed peppermint pieces into the dough.
How to Make This Pecan Sandies Recipe
From start to finish, this pecan Sandies recipe is ready in 25 minutes or less!
- Mix the Dry Ingredients. Add the flour, pecans, and salt to a large mixing bowl, and whisk to combine.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients. In a second large bowl, beat the butter, vanilla, and sugar with a hand mixer until they are smooth and creamy.
- Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour to the bowl of wet ingredients. Mix until the batter is just combined and smooth.
- Portion the Dough. Use a small cookie scoop to portion out 1-inch balls, and place them on a
parchment paper or an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. - Bake. Place the pecan Sandies cookies in the oven, and bake just until the bottom edges begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet until they can easily be handled, and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro-Tips for Baking
Soften the Butter. For easy mixing, you want to let your butter come to room temperature so that it is soft. However, you do not want it so soft that is basically melted and runs all over the place!
Space Out the Cookies. Pecan Sandies will spread out slightly as they bake. So, be sure to leave a 1-inch space all around each cookie on the baking sheet.
Keep an Eye on the Oven. These cookies bake FAST. So, be sure to keep a close watch on them as they bake, and remove them from the oven as soon as the bottoms begin to brown. They’ll continue to bake as they cool. So, we want to be extra careful not to let them burn!
Storage Options
This pecan Sandies recipe is great to make ahead of time and store in the fridge to bake later or give away as gifts. Either way, you’ll want to be sure to follow the steps below to keep your cookies fresh!
Room Temperature: Placed in an airtight container, these pecan Sanides will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 7-10 days, if you can get them to last that long!
Freezer: These cookies can be frozen either raw or baked. To freeze unbaked dough, roll it into a log, and transfer it to a sealable bag. It will stay fresh for 1-2 months. Then, just slice the dough, and bake it from frozen. Or, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and follow the instructions as normal. Meanwhile, baked pecan Sandies will stay fresh in a freezer-safe container or sealable bag for 2-3 months.
More Delicious Cookie Recipes
Want more sweet and simple cookie goodness? We’ve got your back with these easy-peasy recipes!
- Brown Butter Toffee Cookies
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Easy Pecan Sandies
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup pecans finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine flour, pecans, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Beat the butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar with a stand mixer until creamy.
- Turn the mixer on low, and add the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop, portion out 1-inch balls, and place them on the prepared baking sheet leaving a 1-inch space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the bottom edges of the cookies are lightly browned. Be careful not to burn!
- Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store at room temperature for 7-10 days.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi! Love this recipe. Can you freeze these cookies?
Thank you! Yes! These cookies can be frozen either raw or baked. To freeze unbaked dough, roll it into a log, and transfer it to a sealable bag. It will stay fresh for 1-2 months. Then, just slice the dough, and bake it from frozen. Or, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and follow the instructions as normal. Baked pecan Sandies will stay fresh in a freezer-safe container or sealable bag for 2-3 months. Hope this helps!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa