Pecan Sandies (Chocolate Dipped)

These Chocolate Dipped Pecan Sandies are buttery, nutty, and the perfect shortbread dressed up for the holidays! Soft, crisp shortbread cookies studded with toasted pecans can be dipped in chocolate or drizzled with a chocolate swirl for a festive touch, making them ideal for holiday cookie trays, or gift-giving.

Try my pecan meltaways , cranberry orange shortbread cookies, or buttery pecan snowball cookies next!

this recipe!

Chocolate Drizzled Pecan Shortbread – Classic Holiday Cookies

Sandies shortbread cookies were the biggest hit of our holiday Christmas cookie baking last year. The buttery flavor of shortbread cookies, dipped or drizzled in chocolate with the pecans is out of this world delicious!

These pecan sandies are buttery, crisp, and loaded with toasted pecans, perfect for Christmas baking. Whether you dip them in chocolate or add a festive chocolate drizzle, these classic Christmas cookies are a delicious and elegant treat for cookie trays, gifts, or holiday parties!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Easy classic pecan sandies cookie recipe
• Pecan sandies with simple ingredients
• 2 great make ahead options
• Chocolate sandies cookies variation look amazing on holiday cookie trays or for cookie exchanges

Ingredients

• Butter – use the best quality butter at room temperature, but cool and not overly softened.
• Powdered sugar
• Granulated sugar
• All Purpose Flour
• Shortening
• Chocolate Chips – semi sweet
• Salt
• Vanilla extract – I like to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Pecan – test for freshness before toating the pecans as they are a main ingredient and you want the tastiest, freshest pecans.

Step by step Instructions

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STEP ONE – Chop pecans and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I like to chop the pecans half chunky and half finely chopped for variety in each bite. You can do whichever you prefer. Bake in 350°F oven for 5 to 6 minutes, opening the oven door once to stir them a little. Set aside to cool while you prepare the cookie dough.

STEP TWO – In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, or bowl from stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, on medium speed, mix together butter (cut in cubes), granulated sugar and powdered sugar. This should take about two minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl often, then add in vanilla and mix just until combined.

STEP FIVE – Divide dough in half and on a piece of parchment paper, roll into a 7-inch log. You may need to press in the end to get the right size and re-roll it a little.

Repeat with second piece of dough. Wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place both logs in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

STEP SIX – Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.  

STEP SEVEN – Slice cookie dough logs into 1/2-inch thick slices.  We like them a little on the thicker side. You could cut them a little thinner if you like.

Place two inches apart and bake in 350°F oven for 12 minutes. If desired, press a pecan into the centre of some of the cookies.
Cool on cookie sheets for five minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Enjoy

Chocolate dipped option for pecan sandies

In a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips with shortening in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time. Stir until almost completely melted, then stir again until completely melted.

Dip one side of cooled cookie into melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to set. Alternatively, you can drizzle the chocolate over top of each cookie. If desired, sprinkle a few chopped pecans on the melted chocolate.

Variations

You can chop up the pecans in the dough as is traditional and just have them plain or add a pecan to the top of the cookie.

Sandra’s tips for making the best pecan sandies recipe

• I believe the secret to making the best pecan sandies ever for the holidays, lies within the toasting of the pecans and chopping them first seems to bring out the flavors even more
• Use good quality chocolate chips for dipping
• Do not over mix the shortbread dough
• Allow the pecan sandies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to the cooling rack

Can you make pecan sandies recipe ahead of time?

Yes you can! When you have divided the dough and made your pecan sandies logs to chill in the fridge for 1 hour, simply place the logs in an airtight container to store in the fridge for 7 days before baking.

Option number 2 is to freeze the pecan sandies logs to make ahead for a longer period of time. Simply take your pecan sandies plastic wrapped logs and pace them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Thaw the sandies cookie dough logs in the fridge overnight and then slice decorate and bake when ready to serve.

We prefer the fridge method to make ahead for up to 7 days for the best results.

Storage

Store using an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Use parchment paper in between layers so they do not stick together.

Freeze sandies cookies in a freezer-safe container separating any layers with parchment paper for 1 to 2 months for best results. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.