Sweet Pecan Sandies get their name from their super crumbly texture… a delicious hint at just how buttery each of these little treats is! Smoky-sweet and loaded with nutty pecans both in the dough and right in the center of each cookie, Sweet Pecan Sandies are easy and delicious baked goods (or baked greats!) for those who love nuts in their desserts! You’ll go nuts for these!
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pecan halves, finely chopped, plus 24 whole pecan halves
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 3 –In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, light brown sugar, and the granulated sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Step 4 –Add the vanilla and the salt to the butter mixture and beat well to combine.
Step 5 –Add the flour to the butter mixture and mix it on low speed just until a dough forms.
Step 6 –Add 1 cup of the finely chopped pecans and mix on low until the pecan pieces are incorporated into the dough.
Step 7 –Shape the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls.
Step 8 –Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Step 9 –Using the bottom of a glass, press down gently on each dough ball until they are about 1/2-inch-thick.
Step 10 –Press 1 of the remaining pecan halves into the top of each of the cookies.
Step 11 –Bake the cookies until the bottom edges start to lightly brown, about 18 minutes.
Step 12 –Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 3 minutes.
Step 13 –Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 14 –Serve.
