These Browned Butter Pecan Sandies are melt-in-your mouth buttery goodness. Shortbread, by it's very essence is a sweet buttery cookie. The browned butter adds a nuttiness in flavor to the dough that makes these cookies bold and mouthwateringly delicious. These pecan sandies are so good you'll want to savor each and every bite.
Browned Butter Pecan Sandies
These buttery cookies are rather addicting, if I say so myself. Especially for the shortbread lovers in your cookie circle. I am a huge fan of all things butter'esque starting with caramel. Shortbread fits into that category perfectly. Whether they're served at tea time, for bite-size desserts or cookie swaps during the holidays, these cookies are a special addition to the cookie menu.
Helpful Tips for Making Pecan Sandies
- After browning the butter it's necessary to allow it to cool. After it cools, use a hand mixer to whip it into a creamy luscious texture that's light beige in color.
- Once the dough is made immediately shape the dough into logs, wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper and chill.
- At this point, you can freeze one log for later, if you like. That's what I do each time unless I'm baking a large batch of cookies for a family gathering or entertaining.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the chilled dough into rounds. If it crumbles a bit, don't panic. Slice while cold and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- As the cookie dough warms to room temperature while the oven preheats, you can press any crumbles together easily.
How Do You Store Pecan Sandies?
Store baked cookies at room temperature in an air tight container. Enjoy alongside a cup of coffee or hot tea with friends. These cookies tend to disappear quickly at tea time or anytime we need a quick cookie sweet fix.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Browned Butter Pecan Sandies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups salted butter
- 1 ½ cup finely chopped pecans toasted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the chopped pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 6-8 minutes then set aside to cool completely.
- On the stove top in a heavy bottomed pot simmer the butter over medium for 6-8 minutes or until light amber in color. Pour into a mixing bowl and chill for 1 hour or until the butter begins to solidify.
- Using a hand mixer beat the browned butter until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and brown sugar gradually with the vanilla extract until creamy.
- Add the flour 1 cup at a time beating just until combined. The dough will be stiff.
- By hand mix in the toasted pecans. Divide in half and and roll into 2 logs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for several hours until firm or overnight.
- To bake preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the logs into 10 equal slices. As the dough softens gently press any crumbles together and shape into rounds, if needed. Place at least 1-inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a cooling rack.
- Store tightly covered at room temperature.
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Dante
Extraordinarily dry after everything is mixed. All measurements are accurate... What to do???
Melissa
Pecan sandies are a lot like shortbread in texture. That being said, if you followed the recipe, it should never be "extraordinarily dry." Something seems off, if that's the result. Use your hands to bring the dough together, form into a log and chill.
Krysclie
Hi Melissa, this recipe looks delicious and am in the midst of trying it. One question: do you measure the butter before or after you brown it? Since it reduces in mass when browned, I'm thinking it might make a difference? Thanks!!
Melissa
Measure the butter before you brown it.
Marjorie Cross
The flavor was fantastic but the texture was just much too dry! It was almost like eating a sand cookie do you think if you added and egg it would make the texture not so dry. I love Keeblers pecan sandies and your recipe the flavor is better using the browned butter just can't get over the dryness of the cookie.
Melissa
If these shortbread cookies were dry, they were over baked. There's no need to add an egg to shortbread.
Linda Burgess
PHENOMENAL!! The browned butter combined with the toasted pecans creates a wonderful flavor and texture. Also, the combination of brown sugar and powdered sugar is genius. THANKS so much! I will make these again and again.
Melissa
I'm so happy you loved these, thanks so much for letting me know!
Bonny Lee Persons
These sound amazing. I make a Crumbly Cranberry Bar with browned butter and they are to die for. I might suggest that you add the pecans to the flour, before adding to the cookie dough. That way they are incorporated quickly without further mixing by hand.
Julie
I noticed the recipe does not list egg in it's ingredients. That MUST be a oversight? Surely this recipe requires an egg?!
Melissa
It's not an oversight. No egg.
Marlene
No egg needed. That is why this is not a chewy cookie, just a crunchy crumble cookie.
Linda
Absolutely LOVE your recipes!!! Got your site bookmarked. Thanks for all you do!
Melissa
Hi Linda wonderful, I'm delighted you're finding some recipes to enjoy!