Pecan Sandies are a delicious and simple cookie that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Made with a combination of butter, sugar, flour, and pecans, these cookies have a rich, buttery flavor and a crumbly texture.
The key to making perfect Pecan Sandies is using high-quality ingredients. Freshly ground pecans provide a nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture, while unsalted butter adds richness and a smooth texture to the dough. A good quality flour ensures the cookies bake up light and tender, while sugar sweetens the cookies and helps to give them their signature sandy texture. When combined, these ingredients create a cookie that is both tender and crispy, with a delicious nutty flavor that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
The following ingredients are needed to make Pecan Sandies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
These ingredients are all readily available in most grocery stores and can be easily found in the baking aisle. Unsalted butter is preferred as it allows you to control the saltiness of the cookies. Confectioners’ sugar is used to give the cookies a delicate sweetness and a crumbly texture.
All-purpose flour is a staple in most baking recipes and provides the structure and stability for the cookies. Salt enhances the overall flavor of the cookies and helps balance the sweetness. Vanilla extract adds a rich and aromatic flavor to the cookies.
Pecans are the star ingredient in Pecan Sandies, providing a delicious nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. They are finely chopped and evenly distributed throughout the dough, giving the cookies a delightful crunch in every bite. Make sure to use fresh pecans for the best taste and texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Pecan Sandies
Follow these simple steps to make delicious Pecan Sandies at home:
- Gather all the necessary ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of unsalted butter (softened), 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of chopped pecans, and a pinch of salt.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until all the dry ingredients are fully combined and the dough comes together.
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take the chilled dough out of the refrigerator and divide it into small portions. Roll each portion into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Using the palm of your hand, gently press down on each dough ball to flatten it slightly.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Enjoy these homemade Pecan Sandies as a tasty treat or share them with friends and family!
Tips from professional chefs for making Pecan Sandies
When making Pecan Sandies, professional chefs have a few tips to ensure the cookies turn out perfect every time. Firstly, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh pecans and real butter, as they will greatly enhance the flavor of the cookies. Additionally, using a mixture of both all-purpose flour and cornstarch will result in a tender and delicate texture.
Another tip from professional chefs is to chill the dough before baking. This not only helps to enhance the flavor, but also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Chilling the dough for at least an hour will also make it easier to handle and shape into the desired size and form.
Lastly, professional chefs recommend using a light touch when shaping the dough. Overworking the dough can result in tough cookies, so it is best to gently press and shape the dough into the desired thickness. Using a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon can help ensure equal sizes for each cookie.
Reviews
The Pecan Sandies are absolutely divine! As a baking enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for new recipes to try, and this one is definitely a winner. The cookies have a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, thanks to the addition of pecans. The texture is crumbly and buttery, just how I like it. They melt in your mouth and leave you craving for more.
What I love about these cookies is that they are incredibly easy to make. The recipe calls for simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. The dough comes together quickly, and the aroma of pecans fills the kitchen as they bake in the oven. The cookies come out golden brown and irresistibly tempting.
I’ve shared these Pecan Sandies with my family and friends, and they have all been amazed at how delicious they are. They make a perfect snack with a cup of tea or coffee, and they are also great for gifting. I love how versatile they are – they can be enjoyed on their own, or even crumbled over ice cream for an extra special treat.
I recently tried the Pecan Sandies and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. As someone who enjoys baking, I love trying out new recipes, and this one did not disappoint. The combination of the buttery shortbread and the crunchy pecans was simply delightful. The cookies had a perfect texture, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
What impressed me the most about these Pecan Sandies was how easy they were to make. The recipe itself was simple, requiring only a few basic ingredients that I already had in my pantry. The preparation was quick and hassle-free, and the result was a batch of delicious homemade cookies that tasted like they came from a gourmet bakery.
One of the things that stood out to me about the Pecan Sandies was their versatility. They were perfect as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee, but they also made a wonderful dessert when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The nutty flavor of the pecans added a nice touch to the overall taste, making these cookies truly irresistible.
The Pecan Sandies cookies are absolutely delicious! I recently tried making them at home and I was blown away by the rich, buttery flavor and the crunchy texture. The recipe was easy to follow and the result was a perfect batch of cookies that tasted just like the ones you can buy in the store.
What I loved most about these cookies is the balance of sweetness and nuttiness. The pecans add a wonderful depth of flavor and a satisfying crunch to each bite. The cookies are not overly sweet, which I appreciate, as it allows the natural flavors to shine through.
Another thing that stood out to me was the texture of the cookies. They were crisp on the edges and slightly soft in the center, creating a perfect combination. The cookies also had a nice buttery melt-in-your-mouth quality that made them absolutely irresistible.
I would highly recommend trying the Pecan Sandies cookies to anyone who enjoys a delicious, homemade treat. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a special celebration or a simple afternoon snack. These cookies will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more!
I recently came across a recipe for Pecan Sandies and decided to give it a try. Let me tell you, these cookies turned out to be absolutely delicious! The combination of buttery shortbread and crunchy pecans is simply irresistible.
The recipe was fairly simple and straightforward to follow. I started by creaming together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, I added in some vanilla extract for extra flavor. In a separate bowl, I combined flour, salt, and finely chopped pecans. I gradually added the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Once the dough was ready, I shaped it into small balls and placed them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I pressed each ball slightly with a fork to give them a classic crisscross pattern. After baking for about 10-12 minutes, the cookies came out golden brown and perfectly crisp.
The taste of these Pecan Sandies was absolutely amazing. The shortbread had a rich buttery flavor with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. And the addition of the pecans gave the cookies a delightful crunch and a nutty undertone. They were the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
I highly recommend trying out this recipe if you’re a fan of buttery and nutty cookies. They are great for any occasion – whether it’s a cozy evening at home or a special gathering with friends and family. These Pecan Sandies will definitely become a staple in my cookie repertoire!