Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (2024)

Thick homemade buttery pecan sandies cookies that have the texture of shortbread with an added crispy nutty flavor. These cookies are one of our favorites made from my grandma’s old fashioned recipe. This recipe makes 3 dozen cookies.

Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (1)

When I stumbled onto this recipe, I knew it would be a hit. In my family any kind of crispy cookie like almond jelly cookies, shortbread or biscotti becomes a favorite. Finding this pecan sandies cookies (similar flavor to the pecan cream cheese cookies) recipe looked like a great recipe to try right out of my grandma’s recipe box.

Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (2)

And it’s from a type writer! Anyone else just love an old fashioned homemade recipe like this? I like to envision my grandma at one of her church potlucks asking for the recipe and then getting this type written recipe in return with the lady’s name on it.

The only change I made to this recipe was an additional 1/4 cup of flour. Based on the age of this recipe and the fact that it said to “sift” the flour, my guess is that the flour originally used in this recipe was not a fine as our modern all purpose flour. Because of that, I made the cookies a second time with additional flour and they turned out thicker which is how I prefer them!

How to Make Pecan Sandies

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Cream the butter and shortening together. Add sugar and cream again on medium speed for about two minutes or until the batter is light and fluffy.

Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (4)

In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar until mixed in, scraping the bowl as you go.

Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (5)

Stir in the choped pecans.

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Chill the dough for at least 1/2 an hour or until you’re ready to make your cookies. Shape into balls using a heaping tablespoon.

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Place on un-greased cookie sheet. Flatten to about 1/3″ using a glass in dipped in white sugar. The first cookie will stick a bit, but the white sugar will stick to the bottom of the glass making the rest of the cookies easy to flatten.

Also, I recommend using a baking mat like these or parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking.

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Bake 12 – 15 minutes at 350˚F until the cookies are fully baked, but not a dark golden brown. (You’ve over-baked if the cookies are a dark golden color.) . I look for just the slightest little bit of golden brown around an edge, and then I take them out to cool.

After letting them cool, try not to eat too many in one sitting. (I’m telling myself this.) The buttery nutty flavor and crispy texture are a real treat with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. Enjoy!

Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (9)

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Pecan Sandies Cookies Tips and Notes

What size should the cookie balls be? I used a heaping teaspoon and also a heaping tablespoon. I liked the finished size of the heaping tablespoon better, but a heaping teaspoon works as well. It just depends on if you want bit size or a few bites per cookie. The cookies will spread just a little bit after flattening them.

How much does one batch of pecan sandies make? This recipe makes about 36 cookies if you’re making them with a tablespoon measuring spoon and more if using a heaping teaspoon.

How far apart should I space the dough balls before baking? These cookies will spread a bit so place them at least 2 inches apart before baking.

Can you freeze these cookies? Yes. I would suggest freezing them before baking. Fully roll the dough into balls and freeze. When ready to enjoy, let thaw and flatten with sugar. Then bake.

These cookies are not soft. Did I so something wrong? Nope! These are a crumbly, crispy cookie like a shortbread. They are not soft like a lemon cookie as they have a buttery crunch.

How should I store the cookies once baked? Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.

More Cookie Recipes

  • How To Make The Best Sugar Cookie
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Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (10)

Created by: Lynette Rice

Pecan Sandies


Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 36 cookies

36 cookies

Buttery and nutty homemade pecan sandies cookies recipe that makes the best crumbly cookie.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup salted butter softened
  • 1/2 Cup shortening
  • 1 Cup granulated sugar
  • 1 3/4 Cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 Cup pecans chopped

Instructions

  • Cream butter and shortening together. Gradually add sugar and cream on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

  • In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Gradually add to creamed sugar and butter mixture until fully incorporated. Stir in pecans.

  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1/2 an hour or up to 24 hours.

  • Remove from refrigerator once cooled and roll into balls with a heaping tablespoon as your measurement. Place on baking mat on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten to 1/3″ using a glass dipped in sugar.

  • Bake 12 to 15 minutes in a 350˚F oven.

Notes

If you want little bite size pecan sandies, use a heaping teaspoon to measure dough and lower your baking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my pecan sandies so crumbly? ›

Is Easy Pecan Sandies dough supposed to be so crumbly? Yes. These cookies are meant to have a crumbly texture, similar to shortbread. The dough will come together just enough to form into the ball cookie shapes.

Who made the original pecan sandies? ›

The name 'sandies” was registered by the Keebler Company in 1955 for their line of flavored shortbread cookies, including the pecan sandy.

What is another name for pecan sandies? ›

According to Pastry & Baking Arts Chef-Instructor Norma Arellano-Salazar, these popular cookies are also called snowballs or pecan sandies on the East Coast of the United States, as they resemble snow or sand thanks to their powdered-sugar dusting. Some even refer to them as Russian tea cookies.

What are sandies cookies made of? ›

The sandie is a type of sugar cookie or shortbread cookie prepared using standard sugar cookie ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. The Keebler Sandie uses soya bean oil and palm oil as a butter substitute. Sandies are sometimes dusted with powdered sugar after cooking.

How do you make crumbly cookie dough better? ›

Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

What makes cookies less crumbly? ›

There are a few things you can do to add liquid to your cookie dough if it is too dry and crumbly. One option is to add milk, water, or another liquid until the dough is the right consistency. You can also try adding melted butter or shortening. If your dough is still too dry, you may need to add more flour.

What's the difference between sandies and shortbread? ›

Most shortbread, however, is baked in one pan and then cut into pieces. Sandies are individually-formed cookies. Like other drop cookies, Sandies are shaped by “dropping” or pushing spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet. During baking, the mounds of dough flatten and spread.

Why are they called pecan sandies? ›

The sandy is a type of sugar or shortbread cookie plus crunchy pecans. These cookies are named after their crumbly texture. They have a sandy or breadcrumb-like texture when the flour and butter are mixed together. Pecan Sandies are also a sandy color, which makes the name very fitting.

Why are pecan sandies called sandies? ›

That's because pecan sandies are a type of shortbread cookie. They get their name from their sandy texture—in French, similar cookies are known as sablé which means sand. Sandies are more soft and crumbly than a sugar cookie.

How do you store sandies cookies? ›

Store the pecan sandies for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature. You can freeze them for up to three months.

How does powdered sugar affect cookies? ›

Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners' sugar) contains cornstarch. The cornstarch absorbs moisture from the rest of the ingredients, making an extra tender and chewy cookie.

What do pecan sandies taste like? ›

The brown sugar contributes a faint butterscotch note that is characteristic of a Pecan Sandie (much like the effect it has on the flavor of Butter Pecan Ice Cream). The powdered sugar makes for a tender and slightly crumbly texture.

What is Snoop Dogg cookies? ›

Snoop Dogg's peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe - His original cookie features creamy peanut butter and semisweet chocolate morsels, making it the perfect indulgence this holiday season. #

What are Elvis cookies? ›

The Elvis: Peanut Butter, Banana and Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Where did pecan sandies originate? ›

Pecan Sandies are shortbread cookies loaded with toasted pecans. They're a bit sweeter and chewier than ordinary shortbread. Though they may have an Arabic origin, in the US these cookies were made famous by the Keebler Company which has been selling their “Sandies Pecan Shortbread Cookies” for decades.

Why is my shortbread crumbling? ›

Why is my shortbread crumbly after baking? If your butter and flour ratio is off, your shortbread may have the wrong texture. Butter is key, it contains a large percentage of water, and that water develops the gluten structure which gives strength and crunch to the biscuit.

What if my shortbread is too crumbly? ›

But in a quick fix that saves both fear and butter, Garten suggests simply adding more water if the batter is more crumble than dough. "If the shortbread dough feels dry, I add a teaspoon or two of water until it's easier to work with," Garten explained. Score one for the Wonder Woman of the kitchen!

Why are my sugar cookies so crumbly? ›

Overworking = tough, misshapen, and crumbly cookies

Overmixing your dough usually makes cookies tough and shrink into weird shapes, but it can also make them crumbly. Generally you only want to mix just until the flour disappears, and then stop mixing!

Should shortbread be crumbly? ›

The signature texture of a shortbread cookie is buttery and crumbly. The cookie will feel as though it's melting in your mouth. A perfect shortbread should be tender, not crunchy, with less sugar than other types of cookies.

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