This post is sponsored in conjunction with Christmas Cookies Week. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of unique and festive Christmas Cookies Week recipes. Our amazingly generous sponsor, Millican Pecan, recently gifted me with three bags of various pecans to create a unique and flavorful Christmas cookie recipe. All thoughts, ideas, recipes, pictures, and general silliness contained within this post are solely my own and not necessarily that of the sponsor. Now, let’s get baking.
Around the holidays, it only seems right to dig through the pantry or freezer to find that bag of pecans stashed away earlier in the year. After all, nuts just seem to scream Christmas. During the holiday season, they add that extra touch of something just a little bit special. I sincerely hope that these tender, flakey, and nutty cookies become a family favorite of yours because they certainly are a treasure to our family.
Today, I’m going to start this recipe post by explaining to y’all just who the heck Sadie was. Seeing as this recipe is named after her, I kinda feel like it’s important to clarify. Sadie was a kind and sweet elderly woman who lived at the end of my dirt road where I grew up in Spring Gap, MD. Most folks referred to her as Aunt Sadie but seeing as she wasn’t really my aunt, I never would have presumed to call her by that moniker. Long story short, Sadie was one of those ladies I can totally see myself becoming in my old age; living on my own in an old farm-style house, waving at the school bus loaded with children as it passes by each afternoon, and always, and I do mean always, having freshly baked cookies available for anyone who should happen to stop by.
It was always a pleasure to sit in Sadie’s back kitchen and visit for a spell. More often than not, my father and brother would be outside mowing her lawn, while I was lucky enough to just spend a little bit of time with her; precious time spent eating freshly baked cookies. Do I remember any of our conversations? Sadly, I do not. However, I certainly do remember her amazing cookies. And this particular recipe, based on one of hers, is one that I dearly treasure. Each time I make it, I add something new or tweak it in some little way, however, underneath, it’s always the same basic recipe; butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour. This time around, I added a touch of salt and two types of pecans. I hope you’ll enjoy this special recipe from my childhood. And, if you have a moment, please say a little prayer for Sadie. She truly was a wonderful lady.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/3 Cup Finely Ground Pecans or Pecan Meal
- Shelled Pecan Halves (Approximately 24)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and salt together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla; mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
- Add the flour, 1/2-cup at a time, and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
- Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Using your hands, shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball into the finely ground pecans or pecan meal to coat. Then place each pecan-coated ball onto a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Using your thumb, press an indentation into the center of each ball. Gently press a shelled pecan half into the indentation of each ball.
- Bake the cookies for 13 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool for at least 3 minutes before removing them to a baking rack to finish cooling completely.
Suggestions:
- Make sure to refrigerate your dough. This will ensure that the cookies do not spread out too much during baking. This cookie dough may be a little bit tough to roll. Just work it between the palms of your hands as you roll it into balls. The heat from your hands will help to shape it.
- You can purchase pecan meal and shelled pecan halves from Millican Pecan. I have been using their pecans for over two years and have yet to find any other brand that compares. If you aren’t able to find pecan meal at your local market, you can make it by processing shelled pecans in a food processor.
- This recipe will yield approximately 24 cookies.
Improvements:
- Sprinkle a little bit of sea salt onto each cookie before baking.
- Add 1/2-teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the cookie dough.
- Drizzle each butter cookie with melted milk, dark, or white chocolate.
- Don’t forget to check out all of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck’s past cookie recipes. CLICK HERE to see a complete list.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/3 Cup Finely Ground Pecans or Pecan Meal
- Shelled Pecan Halves (Approximately 24)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and salt together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla; mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
- Add the flour, 1/2-cup at a time, and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
- Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Using your hands, shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball into the finely ground pecans or pecan meal to coat. Then place each pecan-coated ball onto a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Using your thumb, press an indentation into the center of each ball. Gently press a shelled pecan half into the indentation of each ball.
- Bake the cookies for 13 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool for at least 3 minutes before removing them to a baking rack to finish cooling completely.
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MORE GREAT CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES
Cappuccino Swirl Butter Cookies
Dark Rum Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Old-Fashioned Jubilee Jumbles Cookies
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and delicious holiday cookies. From classic butter cookies to iced gingerbread cookies, this list of ultimate Christmas cookie recipes has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for festive colors, unique seasonal ingredients, or just a cookie that’s super easy to make, these Christmas cookie recipes will help you find the perfect cookie for the season. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES WEEK
Welcome to #ChristmasCookies Week, where more than 25 bloggers are sharing their own original and festive cookie recipes just perfect for your holiday celebrations. We invite you to not only check out our many festive Christmas cookie recipes but to also enter our amazing giveaway below as well. Make sure to follow along on Pinterest so that you don’t miss out on one single delicious holiday cookie recipe.
Don’t forget to check out all of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck’s past cookie recipes. CLICK HERE to see a complete list.
Thank you to Ellen from Family Around the Table, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures, and Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks for hosting #ChristmasCookies Week.
Check out today’s cookie recipes:
- Chocolate Bonbon Cookies by That Recipe
- Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Cookies by West Via Midwest
- Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cookies by Leftovers Then Breakfast
- Chocolate-Dipped Orange Logs by Eat Move Make
- Christmas Magic Bars by Devour Dinner
- Christmas Monster Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies by Blogghetti
- Frosted Eggnog Cookie Bars by Family Around the Table
- Grinch Heart Thumbprint Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
- Holiday Everything Cookies by Frugal & Fit
- Honey Walnut Cookies by Books n’ Cooks
- Kahlua Mudslide Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
- Lavender Snickerdoodles by Palatable Pastime
- Linzer Cookies by Lemon Blossoms
- Little Monster Cookie Bites by Jersey Girl Cooks
- Maple Sugar Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Mocha Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Making Miracles
- Mocha Sandies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pecan Pie Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies by Our Sutton Place
- Pinwheel Cookies by Simply Inspired Meals
- Poppy Seed Shortbread by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Small Batch Pecan Fingers by Art of Natural Living
- Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies by Sweet Beginnings
- Spiced Holiday Cutouts by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Toasted Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe by Swirls of Flavor
- White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Molasses Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks