Home » Desserts » Pecan Sandies Cookie Recipe
posted by Liz Berg
on December 24, 2014 (updated 12/4/22)
Pecan Sandies are a popular shortbread cookie, made by the Keebler company. Homemade Pecan Sandies are a copycat of my childhood favorite! Knowing my sister ate 3 for breakfast makes me think I hit the mark!
These Pecan Cookies are buttery, delicious, and not too sweet. They’re perfect to eat with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Table of Contents hide
1 Why You Must Make
2 Expert Tips
3 Rave Reviews from my Sisters
4 Frequently Asked Questions
5 You May Also Like
6 Pecan Sandies
7 Pecan Sandies (First Version)
Why You Must Make
- If you have fond memories of eating Keebler’s Pecan Sandies, you’ll like my copycat version even more!
- Unlike most store-bought cookies, these have real butter as an ingredient. That makes them taste even better!
- Not overly sweet, they’re just perfect for your cookie cravings without making you feel like a glutton.
I remember those rare occasions when my mom would give in and buy some store-bought Keebler Pecan Sandies from our nearby Hy-Vee grocery store. They were rectangular, crumbly, and made my mouth water just by picking up the package. Of course, I used to eat cherry pie filling from the can and other not-so-gourmet treats, so I bet those sandies cookies from my past were not as noteworthy as I recalled.
Expert Tips
- Most pecan sandies recipes are made with all shortening, which does not provide one iota of flavor. I substituted half butter but left half shortening for the softer, more tender texture it provides. Butter-flavored shortening tastes way too artificial, so I prefer not to use it.
- Toast and cool your pecans before chopping. Toasting nuts brings out their natural oils which will accentuate their flavor. It also helps crisp up your pecans.
- PRO-Tip: Whether you toast your pecans in the oven or in a skillet, watch them carefully. It only takes an extra minute to go from toasted to burned!
- Chill your dough so it doesn’t spread too much.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to dish out your dough. You’ll want round mounds so that when you flatten them with your palm, they’re circular. Alternatively, just scoop out consistent-sized dough balls and roll them between your palms until they’re nice and round.
Rave Reviews from my Sisters
I packed up a box of caramels, truffles, and these nutty shortbread cookies to share with my three sisters who were gathering in Denver for a pre-Christmas visit with my parents. For the first time in ages, I had to sit on my suitcase to get it to zip.
Darn fashion sense, I just had to pack those cute boots. Thank goodness, no cookies or candies were hurt in the process. I figured the candies would disappear first, but Maddy, our hostess, and youngest sister popped a pecan sandies cookie in her mouth, then another. Then Mary joined in.
Katie, the clean eater of my siblings, was more into doing yoga adjustments on my sore back than munching on cookies, so she was forgiven for being fit and muscular and immune to sweets. I’d say these were a hit. If you’re a pecan lover, I hope you’ll give this homemade version a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Pecan Sandies?
Pecan Sandies are shortbread cookies loaded with toasted pecans. They’re a bit sweeter and chewier than ordinary shortbread. Though they may have an Arabic origin, in the US these cookies were made famous by the Keebler Company which has been selling their “Sandies Pecan Shortbread Cookies” for decades.
Can Pecan Sandies Be Frozen?
Yes, they freeze well. If you freeze them in an airtight container, they’ll be good for 3 months or even longer. They can also be kept at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Do you have a favorite treat from your childhood?
You May Also Like
- Caramel Nougat Pecan Rolls from The Food Charlatan
- Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
- Pecan Squares
- Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Bars
- More of the Best Cookie Recipes
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The Recipe:
Pecan Sandies
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Yield24 cookies
A homemade version of Keebler's pecan-packed cookies from my childhood.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cups pecans, toasted and chopped to pieces the size of rice grains
- Pecan halves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°. Line baking sheets with parchment
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, and sugar on medium speed.
- Add the egg and beat well.
- Slowly mix in the dry ingredients, then the water, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Finely chop the pecans until they're about the size of grains of rice. Mix them into the dough on low speed.
- Cover and chill the dough for at least an hour.
- Scoop out tablespoons of dough and place them on the baking sheets. Flatten them with the palm of your hand and top with a pecan half, if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are golden
- Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
Adapted from Top Secret Recipes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 cookie
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 195Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 3g
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
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The Recipe:
Pecan Sandies (First Version)
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- 12 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons water
- 1 ¼ cups pecans, toasted and coarsly chopped
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 325°.
- Whisk together the flour, salt, and soda. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, and water and mix until combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients, then when combined mix in the pecans.
- Chill dough if needed.
- Roll in 1-inch balls, flatten with the palm of your hand, and press a pecan half in the center.
Notes
One of my readers makes snowballs from this recipe except she omits the egg. She shapes the dough into 1-inch balls, bakes for about 20 minutes, cools them on a rack then rolls the cookies in powdered sugar. They are rolled in powdered sugar a second time before storing.
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
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Cookies Desserts Food Gifts Holidays
posted by Liz Berg on December 24, 2014
25 Comments // Leave a Comment »
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Linda Tanzini — Reply
I have a recipe for what I have writen as yours and have been using it for several years and converted it to snow balls because it han an egg in it, works great! But am confused because it’s an entirely different recipe. Am I mistaken or did you change it. Would love to know, thank you, Linda
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Liz Berg — Reply
Hi, Linda, I did change it, but I’m unable to access the old recipe in my archives, darn it (I can usually find them). If you ever get a chance, I’d love a copy of the old recipe so I can include it in the post. No hurry as it’s such a busy time of year. Thank you!
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Linda Tanzini — Reply
Thank you for your responce Liz. I looked up your recipe because I was also going to try regula sandies but didn’t think I had instructions but did find it. Any hoo I will give you your original for your archives. 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 baking soda, 12 T butter rm temp, 1/2c sugar, 1 egg rm temp, 1&1/ 2 tsp vanilla, 1&1/2tsp water, 1&1/4c pecans toasted and coarsly chopped, Usin this recipe I finely chopped toasted pecans. Beat buter and sugar til creamy and fluffy, add all wet and slowly add dry til combined then mix in pecans. Chill dough if needed.For snow balls i rolled into balls and baked 20 min, cooled on sheet several min and temoved to cool compleatly then tossed in powdered sugar and repeated before storing. For regular sandies you wrote to roll in 1″ balls, flatten with palm of hand and press a pecan in center bake about 20 min at 325 deg , cool on sheet a few minutes and remove. I hope I’ve explained clealy enough, seemes like I was rampling too much asI often do. I cherish your recipe. It works great, and wh the eg it’s still butery and flakey but doesn’t crunble as easily. One last note, I also only bake gluten free and have wonderful luck and everybody loves them. Thank you so much.such a long comment, hope you got it in full, let me know if not
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The Ninja Baker — Reply
I thought you were the fit one, Liz! =) And I’m soooo glad that even the gorgeous gourmet did things like eat cherry pie filling from the can…As for the childhood cookies…I’m quite certain your rendition has got to be very superior and stellar!
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Elizabeth — Reply
I’ve never heard of these before, but they are definitely on the list to try 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Liz xx
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Maureen | org*smic Chef — Reply
What fun to be with family at Christmas. I enjoyed my family through Skype but it’s just not the same. 🙂 I love your pecan sandies.
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Kayle (The Cooking Actress) — Reply
how sweet that you and your sisters got to enjoy these together!! (my brother is eating clean right now, *harumph*)
These cookies def. look worthy of being gobbled up super quickly!
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Cakelaw — Reply
These cookies look scrumptious – perfect as a Christmas treat. A favourite treat from my childhood is my mum’s rice pudding – which I still make.
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Hotly Spiced — Reply
How lovely to be getting together with your three sisters. I used to eat terrible things as a child and really loved them but these days I cringe at the thought of a pluto-dog or a chicko-roll or an iced doughnut filled with faux cream. Your sandies are gorgeous and it’s always lovely to receive homemade treats xx
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Kelly — Reply
Love these pecan sandies, I would have a hard time just eating one of these cookies too 🙂 Have a wonderful visit and hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! xoxo
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Angie@Angie's Recipes — Reply
Liz, Merry Christmas to you and your family!
These cookies look mouthwatering! -
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction — Reply
Lizzy,
These cookies look delicious. I haven’t had a good pecan sandie in years.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. xo
Annamaria -
Bam's Kitchen — Reply
How wonderful to have a little mini reunion with your sisters! I am sure these melt in your mouth Sandies were a super big hit. Happy holidays to you and your family
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Lady Lilith — Reply
Yum. This looks like a great holiday treat.
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Louise — Reply
I know exactly what Pecan Sandies you are thinking about Liz. The kind that melt in your mouth but slowly and pecanny at the same time, lol…I don’t recall where that recipe is but I’m pretty sure it came from one of those Culinary Arts Cookbooks. Or, one of the Metropolitan Life cookbooks. Either or:)
These sure do look yummy. Sounds like your sisters were glad to see you for various reasons, lol…
Thank you so much for sharing Liz:) A Very Merry Christmas to You and Yours!!!
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Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere — Reply
These are one of my childhood favorites! I have been wanting to find a recipe for a homemade version! Thanks for sharing!
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Evelyne@cheapethniceatz — Reply
Cookies are so special for this holiday (and for Santa) I don’t blame your sister for eating one after another. Merry Christmas to you and family!
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Pam — Reply
Love those pecan sandies! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom — Reply
haha, Liz, I had to pack an entire suitcase for my boots and shoes. . well, just a small one .. I always overpack . . hope you had a wonderful visit with your three sisters and parents! Happy Christmas!!
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Rosella — Reply
They look perfect. Merry Christmas Liz!!
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Eva Taylor — Reply
My Mom had a dear friend who would bake a variety of North American Christmas treats and these were one of my favourites. The shortbread cookie would simply melt in your mouth and the crunchy pecan would be a perfect crunch in the midst of it all. What a lovely memory you brought back to me, thank you.
I have a friend who puts corn starch into his shortbread to make it melt in your mouth. -
claudia — Reply
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family. These are one of my favs!
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Amy (Savory Moments) — Reply
I love treats like this that bring back holiday memories from childhood! I made my great-grandmother’s thumbprint cookies and they do the same for me. These cookies look tasty! I love pecans.
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Emily @ Life on Food — Reply
Hehe, I love hearing your sisters reaction to these cookies. A hit for sure. Merry Christmas!
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Lynn@Happier Than A Pig In Mud — Reply
Oh I’ve had more than my share of store bought pecan sandies! Your cookies look great, love the nice big pecan half! Merry Christmas Liz:@)
PS-Now that the Eagles are out of it… All I want for Christmas is a Packers Super Bowl!!!
