Pecan Shortbread Cookies

4.8
(6)
4 Reviews
2 Photos

These pecan shortbread cookies have a nice crisp texture and are studded generously with pecans. Rolled in golden demerara sugar, these cookies are beautiful enough to give as a gift.

By
Kathryn Hendrix, RDN, LD
Kathryn Hendrix, RDN, LD
Kathryn Hendrix, RDN, LD
Kathryn Hendrix is a Registered Dietitian and Culinary School Graduate. She specializes in Whole Food Plant Based, Vegan, Gluten Free, and Nutrition. She has over 10 years culinary experience and has been cooking vegan her whole life.
Allrecipes' editorial guidelines
Updated on August 27, 2024
Tested by
Linda Brewer
Tested by Linda Brewer
Linda Brewer is an advocate for others to pursue their culinary interests through new cooking methods and experiencing culturally diverse foods. Her joy of hiking gives her a special interest in camp-friendly recipes for both her personal and professional cooking.
Meet the Allrecipes Test Kitchen
pecan shortbread cookies
2
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 35 mins
Servings:
40
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 40 servings

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

  • ⅔ cup white sugar

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 large egg yolk

  •  ⅔ cup demerara sugar or finely chopped pecans

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients to make pecan shortbread cookies gathered on a kitchen counter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Beat butter, white sugar, and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until combined.

    butter being creamed in a glass mixing bowl using a hand held electric mixer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Add flour, pecans, and salt. Beat on low with the electric mixer until dough comes together. 

    pecan shortbread cookie dough coming together in a glass mixing bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Line a work surface with a piece of plastic wrap about 12 inches long. Divide dough in 2 equal portions. Place a portion of dough on the plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap to assist you, shape and roll dough into a round log about 1 ½ inches wide and 10 inches long. If dough is a little crumbly, press it together firmly. Repeat with the remaining dough. 

    rolling pecan shortbread dough into a log.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. 

    pecan short bread dough rolled into two logs and wrapped with plastic wrap.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

  7. Whisk egg yolk and 1 teaspoon water together in a small bowl with a fork. Pour demerara sugar on a rimmed baking sheet or 13x9-inch baking pan. 

    sugar spread on a baking sheet next to a bowl of melted butter and a pastry brush.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Unwrap dough and brush with egg yolk mixture. Using the ends of the plastic wrap to hold the log, press all sides into demerara sugar. 

    rolling pecan shortbread log into coarse sugar.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Slice dough logs into 1/2-inch thick rounds with a sharp knife. Place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate between batches. 

    cookies being sliced and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned on the bottom, about 15 to 16 minutes. 

    lightly browned pecan shortbread cookies cooling on a baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Cool on the baking sheet briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    pecan shortbread cookies cooling on a wire rack.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Cook’s Note

You can use light brown sugar, turbinado, or muscovado sugar instead of demerara. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

115 Calories
7g Fat
13g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 40
Calories 115
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 56mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 6mg 0%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 24mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.