Pecan Sandies
Pecan sandies are one of those recipes that seem to flitter off to the back of my mind. So simple, so easy, so rich and flavorful, that it’s a wonder I’m not whipping them up once a week! These cookies have the consistency of a shortbread, albeit a bit softer and sweeter thanks to the addition of brown sugar. Packed full of pecans, the contrasting salty crunch with the sweet chewiness of the cookies is a perfect combination for when you need to satisfy a sweet or a salty craving. If I had to choose the best thing about these cookies, it would be that there is no egg in the batter, making for guilt-free dough indulgences! With a low difficulty level and no foods that could cause contamination, this is a perfect recipe to make with kids as well. Instead of chopping the nuts, let them crush the pecans in their hands. Fun for them, and lots of big chunks in the cookies, yum!
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Note: This recipe will be featured on Can I Get the Recipe? in the next couple of weeks. It’s a great site with lots of wonderful meal ideas (grocery lists included!), so be sure to check it out!
One year ago: Three Cheese Beer Bread
Two years ago: Vanilla & Chocolate Hazelnut Birthday Cake
Three years ago: Pepperoni Bread
Pecan Sandies
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature, (4 ounces )
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (99 g) pecans, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- 2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and salt until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, beating just until combined. Fold in the pecans.
- 3. Roll the dough into 1½-inch balls (I used a medium-size cookie scoop) and place on baking sheet 2 inches apart. With the dampened bottom of a glass, lightly flatten each ball.
- 4. Bake until cookies are golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack and cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I made these cookies this past weekend and they are the EASIEST cookie to make. My 2 year old loved helping and with just a few steps, it kept her interest the entire time. She doesn’t really care for nuts all that much, but she even loved these cookies. They were so good, I had to give them away because they needed to be out of my house! haha Just be sure you use really good butter and vanilla so you get the rich moutfeel.
Thanks so much for posting this recipe. My husband loves pecan sandies, but he has only ever had the store bought kind. I love making things from scratch, so these will be a big surprise!
I was looking for a cookie recipe for chocolate chip cookies and having had such fond memories of pecan sandies decided to use your recipe. I finely chopped the pecans and added 1 cup of chocolate chips. I also made another batch of the cookies substituting the pecans and chocolate chips with 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup dried cranberries. Everyone who tried the cookies at work requested
the recipe (except my boss-he just said I made good cookies). Thank you for a fast and simple recipe that tastes great!
These look great! Do these cookies freeze well?
I’m obsessed with pecan nuts (all kind of nuts actually), so I guess this is just the recipe for me. I have never heard of Sandies before but we have kind of a similar cookie in Sweden called Dream cookies, the name seems suitable for these cookies as well ;)
I’ve never made nor had a pecan sandie. I always imagined they would be…sandy. Like grainy and hard and brittle. You’ve convinced me I must try these!
These look so flavorful! I love the flavors of the pecans and brown sugar mixed together.
My first batch were a little smaller than yours and I reduced the baking time but they were still overdone. The second batch were much better. Thanks for the recipe. I have to wait until tomorrow to try them. They smell wonderful. I am now baking chocolate chip cookies for my husband who is allergic to nuts. :(
You know, now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever had a homemade pecan sandie! I think I’ve only ever had a store bought one. That sounds like it’s a tragedy that needs to be fixed!!
These look so good! There’s nothing better than homemade cookies.. thanks for sharing!
Oh these look yummy! I’ve never had a “sandie” before. I imagine I could sub chocolate chunks, caramel, pistachios, or anything for the nuts? (Nut allergy in the family – boo!) I’m always up for a new recipe!
Hi Jen, You can definitely sub any of those for the pecans. They all sound yummy!
Enjoy the cookies :)
I love pecan sandies….these look great!!
I love pecan sandies! Thanks for the reminder…and the recipe!
Oh great,I just put Pumpkin Bread in the oven.[I know pumpkin -fall, but I’ve been craving it, so had to bake some!] Looks like Pecan Sandies later this week! Thanks for sharing another great recipe.
By far my favorite cookie! These look so yumy, lovin’ the big pieces of pecans!
I love using pecans when baking. These sandies look great!
They look so great. I love the big chuck of nuts when I bite on them! Thanks for sharing!
-Tanantha
I love pecan sandies, though have never made them. These look wonderful and are on my list to bake! Thx for sharing =)
Those look so delicious!! I’ve never eaten pecan sandies and I have a whole bag of pecans leftover from making pies at Easter!
pecan sandies are a SERIOUS favorite of mine…and i’m just talking about the pre-packaged kind! i can’t imagine what would happen if i made them from scratch… :)
I love the chunky pecans in these cookies!
These look so good, way better than the store bought kind!! I will be making these…thanks for sharing!!
LOVE Pecan Sandies! Great looking recipe :)
Pecan Sandies are the perfect afternoon snack with a cup of tea!
Yum! These look delicious!
Yummy! I have never seen a recipe for these. I have only had the Keebler version..LOL..which happen to be my all time fave cookie. Thanks for sharing. I am sure homemade will be way better.
“Lady”,it seems your mind works ahead,and comes up with a special recipe,that is just ahead of others thinking,and is just what catches the eye!! I have always loved “Pecan Sandies”.I will have to try these,since I live in the south,every year,I get plenty of pecans.Love the site,and may God Bless!!
Oooo.why did you do this? I also forgot about pecan sandies, but now I am going to have to make my own…delicious!
These look so delicious! You’re right, I always forget about these cookies until I eat one and then I become obsessed again :)
I love the look of these! I am also in the market for a simple recipe, so these will be perfect!