Description
These Pecan Shortbread Cookies are a buttery, crumbly treat studded with rich, crunchy pecans. Perfectly simple yet flavorful, these cookies combine classic shortbread with the delightful texture and nutty taste of chopped pecans. Ideal for a holiday dessert platter or an everyday indulgence, they’re easy to prepare and bake into irresistible slices with a crisp edge and tender center.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix Butter, Sugar, and Vanilla: In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture and beat until everything is just combined, forming a dough.
- Mix in Pecans: Fold the chopped pecans into the dough thoroughly. The dough will be thick and slightly crumbly but sticky enough to hold together.
- Shape the Dough: Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap on a flat surface and place the dough onto it. Shape and roll the dough into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter and 10 inches long using the plastic wrap to help form it evenly.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 1 hour to firm up, or alternatively freeze it for 20 minutes to speed up the process.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and allow it to fully preheat while the dough chills.
- Slice the Cookies: Remove the dough log from the freezer or fridge, unwrap it, and slice into even ¼ to ⅓ inch thick rounds using a sharp knife.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Arrange the sliced cookies on an ungreased baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart to allow for baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 14 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the best dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough log makes slicing easier and helps maintain the cookie shape.
- You can substitute pecans with other nuts like walnuts or almonds if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- To maintain crunchiness, avoid storing cookies in humid environments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
