Ina Garten’s Dreamy Pecan Sandies Recipe: Buttery Cookie Bliss

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies have a special place in every baker’s heart, and Ina Garten pecan sandies recipe captures that delightful essence perfectly.

These delicate shortbread-style treats promise a rich, nutty experience that will make your taste buds dance.

Pecans bring a warm, toasted depth to these classic cookies, creating a sophisticated sweet that feels both comforting and elegant.

The recipe blends simple ingredients into something extraordinary, turning an ordinary afternoon into a delectable moment of pure enjoyment.

Her touch ensures each bite is perfectly balanced with a delicate crunch and subtle sweetness.

You’ll love how these cookies complement your afternoon tea or coffee, offering a graceful indulgence that feels both nostalgic and refined.

Get ready to master a cookie that turns ordinary baking into an art form.

Step-by-Step: Ina Garten’s Pecan Sandies Method

• Pecan Preparation

Toast pecans in the oven until fragrant and golden. Let them cool completely before crushing.

• Flour Mixture

Blend crushed pecans with flour, creating a nutty base for the cookies. Combine dry ingredients smoothly.

• Butter Transformation

Whip butter and sugar until light and airy, creating a creamy foundation for the dough.

• Dough Development

Mix flour mixture into the butter blend, adding vanilla for rich flavor. Combine until soft dough forms.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll dough into small, uniform balls. Gently press a whole pecan into the center of each cookie.

• Baking Magic

Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until edges turn delicate golden brown, releasing a warm, nutty aroma throughout the kitchen.

• Cooling Moment

Remove cookies from oven and let them rest briefly. Transfer to a cooling rack, allowing them to become perfectly crisp and delicate.

Variations for Ina Garten Pecan Sandies

• Enhance the nutty flavor by carefully roasting pecans before grinding, which deepens their rich, aromatic profile and adds a delightful crunch to your cookies.
• Prepare the dough ahead of time by rolling into balls and freezing for up to 3 months, allowing you to bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes or unexpected guests arrive.
• Swap pecan halves with other nuts like almonds or walnuts, or add a drizzle of melted chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
• Experiment with the cookie's texture by adjusting the butter-to-flour ratio or chilling the dough before baking, which can create a more tender or crisp shortbread-like experience.
• Incorporate a hint of cinnamon, orange zest, or maple extract into the dough to elevate the classic pecan sandy flavor and surprise your taste buds with a unique twist.

How to Present Ina Garten’s Pecan Sandies Sweetly

• Serve with Cozy Companions: Pair these pecan sandies with a steaming mug of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat that warms both hands and heart.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for an elegant touch, creating a beautiful contrast against the golden-brown cookie surface.
• Perfect Party Platter: Arrange the sandies on a rustic wooden board with other cookies, creating an inviting dessert spread that will impress guests at gatherings or holiday parties.
• Gift with Love: Package these homemade pecan sandies in a cute mason jar or decorative tin, tied with a ribbon for a heartwarming homemade gift that shows personal care and culinary skill.

Keep Ina Garten Pecan Sandies Fresh Longer

• Maximize Freshness: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Freeze for Later: Pack sandies in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze up to 3 months for quick sweet treats anytime.
• Smart Portioning: Use a kitchen scale for consistent cookie sizes, ensuring even baking and uniform texture throughout your batch of pecan sandies.
• Prevent Crumbling: Let cookies cool completely before storing to maintain their delicate structure and prevent moisture buildup that could make them soggy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 182 kcal

Servings: 24

Pecan Sandies Ingredients from Ina Garten’s Recipe

• Pecan Halves: Brings rich, nutty depth and incredible crunch to the cookies, selecting fresh, plump pecans ensures maximum flavor intensity.

• All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Baking Powder: Creates tender, stable cookie structure with balanced seasoning and perfect rising potential.

• Granulated Sugar, Unsalted Butter, Vanilla Extract: Provides sweetness, richness, and aromatic undertones that make these cookies irresistibly smooth and fragrant, choosing high-quality butter enhances overall taste profile.

Helpful Equipment for Ina Garten’s Pecan Sandies

• Food Processor: Essential for finely crushing pecans with flour.
• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Needed to cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
• Sheet Pan: Used for toasting pecans and baking cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Medium Bowl: Helps mix dry ingredients like flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Small Ice Cream Scoop (optional): Helps create uniform cookie balls.
• Wire Rack: Perfect for cooling cookies after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping and mixing ingredients.

Irresistible Pecan Sandies Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pecan sandies deliver a classic shortbread cookie with nutty richness and delicate crumble. Buttery pecans and powdered sugar create an irresistible southern-style treat you will savor with afternoon tea or coffee.

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Ingredients

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• ½ pound (2 sticks / 227 grams) butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces / 113 grams) pecan halves
• ½ cup (100 grams) demerara or turbinado sugar
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 24 whole pecan halves

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Instructions

1. Pecan Preparation: Toast pecan halves on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, then cool completely.
2. Flour Mixture: Pulse cooled pecans with flour in a food processor until finely ground, then combine with remaining flour, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl.
3. Butter Creaming: Using an electric mixer, cream sugar and butter on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and pale, creating a fluffy base.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually blend flour mixture and vanilla extract into creamed butter, mixing on low speed until a soft, cohesive dough develops.
5. Cookie Shaping: Form dough into uniform 1-inch balls, placing them on parchment-lined baking sheets and gently pressing a whole pecan half into the center of each cookie.
6. Baking Process: Bake cookies for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden brown, then allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Toasting Pecans: Carefully toast pecans to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and prevent a raw, bitter taste. Watch closely to avoid burning.
• Grinding Technique: Pulse pecans with flour to create a fine, even powder that ensures smooth cookie texture and prevents clumping.
• Dough Consistency: Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy, which helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
• Shaping Precision: Use uniform-sized dough balls and gently press whole pecans into the center for consistent baking and professional-looking presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 182
• Sugar: 4.2 g
• Sodium: 37.5 mg
• Fat: 13.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 7.9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5.1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18.5 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g
• Protein: 2.1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg