Pecan Sandies Cookies Recipe (Easy Shortbread)

5 stars from 2 reviews

Pecan Sandies Cookies are soft, sweet shortbread with a nutty crunch! With a classic vanilla and almond flavor and delicate, crumbly texture

Servings: (2.5-inch) cookies

Prep Time20

Cook Time25

Chill Time30

Total Time1 15

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer and large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and both extracts on high speed, just until combined. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, incorporate the flour mixture into the bowl with the butter/sugar mixture, just until combined.
Do not over mix or your cookies will be too dry.
Add the chopped pecans and continue mixing on low speed until the dough starts to come together.
If dough is too crumbly, with the mixer running, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, until the dough comes together. If it is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.
Turn dough out onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill dough in the fridge for 30 minutes.
After chilling, transfer dough to a lightly floured surface.
Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough to ¼ to ½-inch thick. *See Notes
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Meanwhile, cut out cookies using a plain or fluted 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, or use any size/shape of cutter you desire. Gather unused dough and re-roll as necessary.
Transfer the unbaked shortbread cookies to an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
Remove pan from oven and allow cookies to sit on pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and allow them to cool to room temperature.

If you are new at rolling out cookie dough, it can be hard to judge the thickness. This is my tip:

Go to a craft store and purchase two dowel rods, one in ¼ -inch thickness and one in ½ -inch thickness.
Cut each dowel rod in half.
Using the thickness of your choice, lay one half on each side of your dough, rolling pin width apart. The rods will act as the perfect "frame" for you to roll the dough to your desired thickness!

This Pecan Sandies recipe creates 2 dozen (2 ½ inch) cookies, with 249 calories each. To reduce the calories, use a smaller sized cookie cutter.