Classic Pecan Sandies Recipe: Buttery, Nutty, and Perfectly Dipped Cookies
Indulge in the timeless delight of Pecan Sandies – a beloved cookie cherished for its tender, buttery texture and rich flavor. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of warm cinnamon, sweet vanilla, and an abundance of crunchy pecans. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re an experience, especially when elevated. For the ultimate treat, imagine these exquisite pecan cookies dipped in luxurious dark chocolate and then generously sprinkled with even more chopped pecans, creating a satisfying crunch and an unforgettable taste sensation.
There truly is no wrong moment to enjoy a freshly baked batch of old-fashioned Pecan Sandies. These iconic cookies have graced dessert tables for generations, maintaining their status as a popular classic through the years. The enduring appeal of homemade Pecan Sandies lies in their comforting familiarity and irresistible taste, making them a perfect sweet treat for virtually any occasion. From festive holiday gatherings to a quiet afternoon coffee break, these chewy and nutty cookies are always a huge hit, leaving everyone reaching for another.
What Exactly Are Pecan Sandies? The Story Behind the Classic Cookie
Pecan Sandies are a distinct type of shortbread-like cookie, renowned for their incredibly buttery, slightly crispy, and wonderfully nutty profile. The “sandy” in their name often refers to their delicate, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth, a characteristic achieved through a high butter-to-flour ratio. They are generously packed with delicious, crunchy pecans, offering a delightful contrast to the smooth cookie base. A subtle hint of cinnamon often complements the nutty flavor, creating a warm and inviting aroma. While utterly amazing when enjoyed plain, the true magic unfolds when you decide to take them to the next level. Dipping these beauties in rich, melted dark chocolate and garnishing them with additional chopped pecans transforms them into an extraordinary dessert, boasting the most satisfying crunch and a decadent finish. They are an excellent accompaniment to a warm cup of coffee or tea, and their classic charm makes them an ideal candidate for holiday cookie exchanges, spreading joy with every bite.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pecan Sandies Cookies
Crafting the perfect batch of Pecan Sandies begins with selecting quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that signature buttery, nutty, and tender cookie experience. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why:
- Butter: You will need ¾ cup of softened unsalted butter, which typically equates to 1 ½ sticks. Using softened butter is crucial for proper creaming with the sugar, which incorporates air and creates a light, tender crumb. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content in the recipe.
- Sugar: We use ½ cup of packed light brown sugar. Brown sugar contributes not only sweetness but also moisture, which helps keep these cookies delightfully chewy and adds a subtle caramel note to their flavor profile. Ensure it’s packed firmly for accurate measurement.
- Salt: A mere ¼ teaspoon of salt is added to the dough. While seemingly small, salt is a flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty notes of the pecans and the warmth of the cinnamon.
- Egg Yolk: Just 1 room temperature egg yolk is needed. The yolk provides richness and helps to bind the cookie dough, contributing to a more tender texture and a slightly richer, more golden hue. Using only the yolk (and not the white) helps maintain the shortbread-like crumbliness without making the cookies too firm.
- Pecans: Pecans are the star of the show! You’ll need ⅓ cup of ground pecans and 1 cup of chopped pecans. The ground pecans seamlessly blend into the dough, infusing every bite with nutty flavor, while the chopped pecans provide a wonderful textural contrast and satisfying crunch. For an even more intense, aromatic pecan flavor, we highly recommend lightly toasting your pecans in a dry pan or oven before incorporating them into the dough. This simple step unlocks their full potential.
- Vanilla: Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Vanilla is a classic complement to butter and pecans, enhancing the overall sweetness and complexity of the cookie’s flavor.
- Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon gives these cookies a wonderful warm spice, perfect for pairing with the pecans and brown sugar. It adds an inviting aroma and a comforting depth of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Flour: The structural base of this cookie dough is 1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour. Make sure to measure your flour correctly (spoon and level method) to avoid dense or dry cookies.
- Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: For rolling the cookies, you’ll prepare a spiced sugar mixture using 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This outer coating caramelizes slightly during baking, adding an extra layer of sweetness, spice, and a delicate crispness to the exterior of each cookie.
- Garnishes (Optional, but highly recommended!): To truly elevate these cookies, we suggest garnishing them. You’ll want 6 ounces of melted dark chocolate for dipping. Dark chocolate provides a beautiful bitterness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cookie. Along with the chocolate, have more chopped pecans ready to sprinkle for an irresistible visual appeal and an added crunch. While optional, these garnishes transform a delightful cookie into an extraordinary one.
How to Make Homemade Pecan Sandies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these classic pecan Sandies is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Follow these steps carefully for a batch of perfectly tender, nutty, and flavorful cookies:
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and packed light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This process usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Proper creaming is essential for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Next, add the single room temperature egg yolk and the vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue to mix for another minute until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, ground pecans, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl. Mix on low speed until all the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies.
- Fold in Chopped Pecans: Gently fold in the chopped pecans using a spatula. You want them evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl of dough tightly with plastic wrap and place it into the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours. This chilling step is crucial! It allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking, and it also allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a more robust pecan flavor.
- Prepare for Baking: Once the dough is adequately chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small, shallow bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon for your coating. Reserve 1 tablespoon of this mixture for the flattening step.
- Form the Cookies: Divide your chilled cookie dough into 18 same-sized pieces, aiming for approximately one ounce per piece. Roll each piece between your palms to form smooth, uniform balls. Then, roll each dough ball generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture you just prepared, ensuring they are well coated.
- Flatten the Cookies: This unique method helps achieve the classic Pecan Sandie shape and texture. Dampen a paper towel lightly and press the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass onto it. Then, dip the glass into the reserved 1 tablespoon of cinnamon sugar. Gently press the sugar-coated glass onto each cookie dough ball, flattening it to about ¼ inch thick. If the edges crack, gently reshape them with your fingers to maintain a round form.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the flattened, coated cookies onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes. For even baking, rotate the baking sheets halfway through the cooking time. Look for golden edges, but don’t overbake if you prefer a chewier cookie. For a crunchier cookie, you can bake them for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching them closely.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, transfer the cookies from the hot baking sheets to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack allows air circulation, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy and helping them firm up.
- Garnish (Optional): For that extra touch of decadence, once the cookies are fully cooled, dip about one-third of each cookie into the melted dark chocolate. Immediately transfer the dipped cookies back to the wire rack and sprinkle generously with additional chopped pecans. Allow the chocolate to set completely before stacking or serving. This can be done at room temperature or by placing them in the refrigerator for a quicker set. Enjoy your exquisite homemade Pecan Sandies!
PECAN SANDIES
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg yolk room temperature
- ⅓ cup ground pecans
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
Cinnamon sugar:
- 4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Garnish, if desired:
- 6 ounces dark chocolate melted
- Chopped pecans
Instructions
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In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 3-4 minutes, add the egg yolk and vanilla, beat one minute.
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Mix in flour, ground pecans, cinnamon, and salt until fully incorporated. Fold in chopped pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon; reserve 1 Tablespoon.
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Divide the dough into 18 pieces (1 ounce each), and roll each piece into a ball. Roll each dough ball into cinnamon sugar.
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Dampen a paper towel and press a glass onto the paper towel. Then dip the glass in the reserved cinnamon sugar. Gently flatten each cookie; reshape sides if necessary.
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Bake until golden around the edges, about 13-15 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through for even baking. Cool completely on a wire rack.
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For garnish: Dip one-third of the cookie into melted chocolate, then transfer to a wire rack, and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Nutrition
Storing Your Homemade Pecan Sandies for Lasting Freshness
Proper storage is key to maintaining the delicious flavor and tender texture of your homemade Pecan Sandies. Once your cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack, transfer them to an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, plain Pecan Sandies will remain fresh and delightful for up to three weeks. However, if you’ve decided to coat them in chocolate for that irresistible garnish, the shelf life is slightly shorter, typically about one week. The chocolate can soften or change texture over time, especially in warmer conditions.
Freezing Pecan Sandies: Tips for Extended Enjoyment
Yes, you can absolutely freeze Pecan Sandies, allowing you to enjoy these delightful treats for longer or to prepare them in advance for special occasions! To freeze, place your cooled, plain cookies (before any chocolate dipping) into an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature. If you plan to add the chocolate garnish, we highly recommend doing so *after* the cookies have thawed. Dipping them in chocolate before freezing can lead to the chocolate “sweating” as it thaws, which can result in a messy and less appealing appearance. For best results, thaw, then melt your chocolate and dip fresh for that perfect finish. You can also freeze the cookie dough! Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
Discover More Cookie Delights!
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These old-fashioned Pecan Sandies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a celebration of classic flavors and comforting textures, perfect for any occasion. The tender, chewy cookie, richly packed with toasted pecans and infused with warm cinnamon, brings the inviting essence of Fall and Winter into every single bite. Whether you serve them plain, or dressed up with dark chocolate and extra pecans, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Get ready to bake a batch that will evoke warmth, nostalgia, and pure cookie bliss!
