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Pecan Sandies

Name: Pecan Sandies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 5 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 cups butter, softened; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons water; 4 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups chopped pecans; Additional confectioners' sugar

45 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min./batch + cooling

Makes

5 dozen

Updated: Oct. 12, 2022

Whenever Mother made this pecan sandies recipe, there never seemed to be enough! Even now when I make it, the cookies disappear quickly. These melt-in-your mouth treats are great with a cold glass of milk or a steaming mug of hot chocolate. —Debbie Carlson, San Diego, California

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Ingredients

2 cups butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons water
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped pecans
Additional confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 300°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add water and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour; fold in pecans.
Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets and flatten with fingers.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until bottom edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. When cool, dust with confectioners' sugar.

Pecan Sandies Tips

How can you make pecan sandies your own?

Although pecan sandies are delicious with their namesake nut, you can swap in other types such as almonds or walnuts if you prefer. Just make sure you chop them before adding to the dough. (Check out our guide on how to chop nuts for tips as you go.)

How should you store pecan sandies?

Store pecan sandies in an airtight container at room temperature. Letting them cool completely before packing them away is important; otherwise, the added moisture in the container can make the pecan sandies soggy. Here are more tips on how to store cookies.

Can you make pecan sandies ahead of time?

Pecan sandies are a great make-ahead cookie. You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Or prep and bake the cookies, then once they've cooled, keep them in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 6 months. If you liked this pecan sandies recipe, make sure to check out more of our best nutty desserts or, more specifically, other pecan dessert recipes.

—Lauren Pahmeier, Taste of Home Associate Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 118 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.