Pecan Shortbread Cookies
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Rolled in coarse sugar, these sophisticated pecan shortbread cookies are long on buttery, nutty flavor.
If you’re a fan of my classic shortbread cookies, these buttery, sugar-crusted pecan shortbread cookies are a must-try. The recipe comes from my friend Lisa Kolb Ruland, a self-described recovering lawyer turned CIA-trained pastry chef. Lisa has worked in some of New York City’s top bakeshops, and she is also the voice behind the lovely blog Unpeeled, where she shares trusted recipes. Lisa describes these cookies as “sweet but not cloying, hearty and nutty but still delicate…a standout.” I have to agree—they are one of the most delicious cookies I have ever made. If you’re looking for something sophisticated to nibble on with coffee or tea, a gift-worthy treat to share with friends or neighbors, or just a fun baking project, these cookies fit the bill.
“The best batch of shortbread I’ve ever made…thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It is perfect!”
What You’ll Need To Make Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Chopped Pecans: Add a nutty flavor and crunchy texture. Toasting them, as the recipe indicates, deepens their slightly sweet flavor.
- Butter: Provides richness and moisture to the cookies.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a tender dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies with its aromatic richness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the cookies. Measure it by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to ensure accuracy.
- Egg Yolk: Helps the sugar adhere to the dough and adds richness.
- Demerara or Turbinado Sugar: The large crystals create a sweet, crunchy coating on the cookies’ edges.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by toasting the pecans in a 350°F-oven for about five minutes to bring out their flavor. Let the pecans cool on the baking sheet while you prepare the cookie dough.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt.
Beat until smooth and lightened a bit, two to three minutes.
Scrape the bowl with a spatula and add the flour.
Mix on low speed until just combined.
Add the toasted pecans.
Mix on low speed until evenly incorporated.
Turn the dough onto a clean countertop lightly dusted with flour. Dust the dough with a little flour as well.
Shape and roll into a squared log between 1-1/2 to 2 inches wide and 1-1/2 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.
Once chilled, slice the chilled log into two halves. Brush the log with a beaten egg yolk.
Roll the logs in 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 1/2-inch thick. Place the cookie slices onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
Bake 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.
Make-Ahead, Freezing & Storage Instructions
The cookies will keep in a covered container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen. 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 the recipe.
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Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Rolled in coarse sugar, these sophisticated pecan shortbread cookies are long on buttery, nutty flavor.
Ingredients
- 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.)
Instructions
- 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 Information
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- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 112
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Sodium: 51 mg
- Cholesterol: 19 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I followed the recipe to a T except for one thing: I substituted Turbinado sugar for the Damarara sugar. They were terrific and simple to make. Use a wire cheese slicer to slice the dough into cookies; works like a charm.
These were excellent. Shortbread has been a seasonal treat for us ,usually St. Patrick’s day, but with these delicious cookies I believe they will be enjoyed the year around. Everyone in our family enjoyed them. I will have to make a double batch the next time.
The BEST! As usual for Jenn. I have become a devotee of Jenn’s website and cookbooks because they are literally no fail, 10/10 every time.
These cookies are a dream to make because you can freeze the dough in a log and simply slice and bake later. I like my cookies a little “caramelized”, so I slice mine thinner to get them a little golden brown and toast the pecans a little more. I know it’s not what you’re supposed to do with shortbread, but it’s how I like it! These are now my most requested cookie! Thanks for another winner, Jenn!
I made these cookies for Christmas and they were amazing. I added dried apricots. Definitely one of my favorites! A nice cookie to add to Christmas cookie trays.
Thanks for this. I wanted to add apricots or cranberries, then dip in chocolate instead of roll in sugar. 😍
I made these for the first time at Christmas this year, and they will be added to the permanent holiday bake. These were the first cookies to be eaten up and everyone loved them. I did not coat the outside of the log with the sugar and they were fine. The dough was a little dry to work with and form; I made a note to be sure the butter is thoroughly softened. Thank you, Jen for another terrific recipe!
These little bites of heaven are so perfect if you just want a little something – not too sweet, crunchy and nutty. I especially like the raw sugar edge… adds a great texture.
Best cookies ever and I was not a big shortbread cookie fan. These cookies converted me into one. Wish I wasn’t perpetually dieting; otherwise, I would have these around all the time. Delicious!
I have stayed away from making shortbread cookies because I thought they were hard to make. Well, no more. This recipe was easy, quick, and turned out great! The first time I made them, I covered the outside with white crystal cake decorating sugar, and they looked so festive. I did the brown sugar coating on the second batch, but I liked the decorating sugar better than the brown sugar coating. I will make this recipe again and again.
I’ve made these cookies several times and they always turn out great. Very popular with family and friends. My friends dad brings me pecans from Texas so I am always looking for new recipes to use them. I live in Colorado with a dry climate and we have our wood burning fireplace going all day this time of year. I did reduce the flour by a couple of ounces for the last couple of batches and they still turned out perfectly. I don’t even like cookies that much and I love them. My husband, the cookie monster loves all your cookie recipes. Also made your cheesecake recipe for Christmas dessert and he practically at the whole thing. I was able to save my father one slice. Goodness.
These are amazing! Made them for the first time for Christmas but a definite all year round recipe!