Best 10 Easy Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable world of pecan shortbread cookies, a classic treat that combines the buttery richness of shortbread with the nutty crunch of pecans. These cookies are a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them a delightful addition to any cookie platter or dessert table. With their simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these pecan shortbread cookies are a joy to bake, whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out. Discover the secrets to creating these timeless cookies, along with variations that add unique twists to the traditional recipe.

This article presents a collection of pecan shortbread cookie recipes, each offering a slightly different take on this classic treat. From the classic pecan shortbread cookies, made with just a handful of simple ingredients, to variations that incorporate chocolate chips, maple syrup, or a hint of citrus, there's a recipe here to satisfy every craving. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning photos, this article is your ultimate guide to baking the perfect pecan shortbread cookies. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a delicious baking journey together.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SHORTBREAD PECAN COOKIES



Shortbread Pecan Cookies image

So easy to bake (no eggs involved) and delicious--I modified a basic shortbread recipe to jazz it up and it turned out a lot like a pecan sandie, but homemade.

Provided by Christa Hardin

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 ½ cups butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup white sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ pound pecan halves
¼ cup powdered sugar, or as needed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Combine butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add flour and mix until combined.
  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and set on ungreased baking sheets.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned on bottom, 10 to 13 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool, 8 to 10 minutes more. Place one pecan half on top of each cookie and dust lightly with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 calories, Carbohydrate 14.6 g, Cholesterol 32.6 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 87.7 mg, Sugar 4.6 g

PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Pecan Shortbread Cookies image

This is a great, lighter version of a pecan shortbread cookie.

Provided by BernaC

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 60

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup white sugar
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Cream butter, oil, white sugar, and confectioners' sugar together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir gradually into the butter mixture. Stir in pecans.
  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 12 to 14 minutes.
  • Remove from cookie sheets and cool completely on wire racks, 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 126.4 calories, Carbohydrate 12.1 g, Cholesterol 14.3 mg, Fat 8.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 62.7 mg, Sugar 5.5 g

PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Pecan Shortbread Cookies image

Rolled in coarse sugar, these sophisticated pecan shortbread cookies are long on buttery, nutty flavor.

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

¾ cup chopped pecans
10 tablespoons (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Scant ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with a knife, plus more for dusting
1 egg yolk, beaten
¼ cup demerara or turbinado sugar (Note: You'll use less than this, but you need extra to roll the dough in.)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
  • Place the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for around five minutes, until fragrant. Cool on the baking sheet. (The nuts can be toasted and stored at room temperature.)
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth and lightened a bit, two to three minutes. Scrape the bowl with a spatula. Add the flour and mix on low just until fully combined. Add the pecans and mix until evenly combined.
  • Turn the dough onto a clean countertop lightly dusted with flour. Dust the dough with a little flour. Shape and roll into a squared log between 1½ to 2 inches wide and 1½ to 2 inches high, dusting with more flour as necessary. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or parchment paper and chill for at least one hour or overnight, until the dough has gotten very firm.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and set two oven racks in the centermost positions. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Lightly beat the egg yolk and ½ teaspoon of water in a small bowl and set aside. Pour the demerara sugar into a rimmed baking sheet or shallow casserole pan. Slice the chilled log in half to make it more manageable. Working with one log at a time, brush all sides of the log with the egg yolk mixture, then roll in the demerara sugar, pressing as necessary, until fully coated. If there are any areas of the log that are bare, sprinkle with the demerara sugar to cover.
  • Use a serrated knife to slice each log into about 12 individual cookies, each about ½-inch thick. Place the cookie slices onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each. Bake, rotating from top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until lightly golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The cookies will keep in a covered container at room temperature for up to a week.
  • Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Let the cookies cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the cookies from the container and let them come to room temperature. If you'd like to freeze the dough before baking, shape it into a squared log, then wrap it securely in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil; freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove the log from the freezer, thaw it until pliable, and then proceed with recipe.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cookie, Calories 112, Fat 7g, Carbohydrate 10 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sugar 4 g, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 51 mg, Cholesterol 19 mg

PECAN SHORTBREAD



Pecan Shortbread image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 20 to 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups small diced pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter/sugar mixture. Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut into 2 1/2-inch squares with a plain or fluted cutter (or cut into any shape you like). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.

EASY PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Easy Pecan Shortbread Cookies image

Today is the day to step away from store-bought versions and step up with the know-how to make pecan shortbread cookies from your own kitchen! Full of buttery flavor and toasted pecans, these butter pecan shortbread cookies are a family-favorite recipe that's hard to resist. Pair these pecan sandies with an afternoon cup of coffee or add them to a holiday cookie tray next to an array of classic treats. This recipe makes about 84 cookies so freeze them for later or share them with friends. Now, the next time you're craving pecan shortbread cookies you can head to your own kitchen, instead of the store.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h20m

Yield 84

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • To toast pecans, sprinkle in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown. Remove from heat; cool.
  • In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add flour, beating just until blended. Stir in toasted pecans and vanilla.
  • Divide dough in half; shape each portion into 2 (1 1/4-inch-thick) logs (about 12 inches long). Wrap in cooking parchment paper; refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
  • Heat oven to 325°F. Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. Unwrap dough; cut into 1/4-inch slices. On cookie sheets, place slices 1/2 inch apart.
  • Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 40, Carbohydrate 4 g, Fat 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 20 mg

PECAN SANDIES COOKIES



Pecan Sandies Cookies image

Whenever Mother made these cookies, there never seemed to be enough! Even now when I make them, they 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

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

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

Steps:

  • 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 118 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 16mg cholesterol, Sodium 49mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Pecan Shortbread Cookies image

These cookies were always the first thing to sell out at the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten's gourmet store in East Hampton, New York.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes about 1 1/2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
2 1/4 ounces pecan halves, toasted
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

Steps:

  • Cream together butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until mixture is light in color, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add flour, salt, pecans, and almond extract, and mix until combined and the pecans start to break up.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator at least 1 hour or overnight. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using 2 1/2-inch diameter fluted cookie cutters, cut cookies, and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Return to refrigerator 1 hour more.
  • Heat oven to 325 degrees. Sprinkle cookies with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool.

BUTTER PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies image

Shortbread cookies are a must to make for the holidays, and these pecan-filled, buttery biscuits are simply irresistible. Be sure to use real butter, not margarine, for best flavor. PLEASE, watch them as they bake. Reviewers are reporting baking times from 12 to 20 mins and I have changed the baking time from the original 30 mins to 15 mins.

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Dessert

Time 55m

Yield 2 1/2 dozen, 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup ground pecans
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pinch salt

Steps:

  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicon mat.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer or a food processor, beat together butter and brown sugar until creamy.
  • Add flour, ground pecans, vanilla and salt and beat just until it forms a smooth dough.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow it to firm up just enough to shape.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
  • By hand, roll dough into 1-inch balls.
  • Place them on the prepared cookie sheet and flatten very slightly (to about 1/2-inch thickness) with the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in flour to prevent the dough from sticking to the glass (If you have a cookie stamp, you can use it to flatten the cookies instead of the glass).
  • Place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes or until set and very lightly browned on the bottom.
  • Remove from pan and let cool on a rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.4, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 6.9, Cholesterol 27.1, Sodium 12, Carbohydrate 17.5, Fiber 1, Sugar 6.3, Protein 2.1

PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Pecan Shortbread Cookies image

Provided by Paul Grimes

Categories     Cookies     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Pecan     Gourmet     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 2/3 cups pecan halves (6 ounces)
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Toast pecans in oven, then cool. Leave oven on.
  • Pick out about 36 of the best-looking pecan halves for topping cookies and finely chop remainder.
  • Blend together butter, sugars, vanilla, and salt in a bowl with a fork until combined well. Stir in flour and chopped pecans until a soft dough forms (dough will be sticky).
  • Form 1-inch balls of dough and arrange 2 inches apart on 2 ungreased baking sheets. Flatten balls to 1/3 inch thick using bottom of a glass (flour it if necessary), then push a pecan half onto center of each cookie.
  • Bake, 1 sheet at a time, until edges are golden, about 20 minutes. Cool cookies on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.

PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES RECIPE



Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe image

Keep your holiday list short with just five ingredients in these pecan shortbread cookies. This Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe makes a delectable gift.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Baking Ingredients

Time 33m

Yield 30 servings, 2 cookies each

Number Of Ingredients 5

3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups (1 lb.) butter, softened
1-3/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350ºF.
  • Combine flour and cornstarch. Beat butter and 1 cup sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Add nuts; mix just until blended.
  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Flatten slightly with bottom of glass.
  • Bake 13 min. or until centers are set and tops are lightly browned; cool on baking sheets 5 min. Add warm cookies, 1 at a time, to remaining sugar; turn to evenly coat both sides of each. Cool completely on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 100 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 2 g

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality ingredients: Use unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and finely chopped pecans for the best flavor.
  • Chill the dough before baking: This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much and will give them a more tender texture.
  • Bake the cookies until the edges are just starting to brown: Overbaking will make the cookies dry and crumbly.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before serving: This will allow the flavors to develop and will make them easier to handle.

Conclusion:

These pecan shortbread cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are buttery, crumbly, and full of pecan flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy these delicious cookies in no time.

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