Baking with Olivia and Caroline

I chose this recipe as it is the “30 under 30ish” issue. It was suggested that it be a recipe that had a nostalgic feel to it, and these fit the bill. My grandmother and then mother made these pecan sandies quite often when I was a kid, especially around the holidays. Traveling from miles away, they would arrive in a round Christmas tin full of other goodies like molasses sugar cookies. Some were powdered and some were dipped in chocolate. They didn’t last long in a house of five sweet tooths. 

We have always received and made them in an oval/finger shape. Not sure where that originated or why we’ve never changed it, but you can make them any shape you like. We’ll stick to what we all grew up with and love. 

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp water
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup chopped pecans (optionally toasted for more nuttiness)

Makes about 36 cookies

 Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Cream the butter and sugar. Add vanilla and water; mix well. Add 2 cups of sifted flour and combine. Stir in the chopped pecans. Shape the dough into “fingers” about the size of your thumb. Place about 1-2” apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. 

Bake cookies for 20 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove and cool on a cookie rack. Once cool, dust with confectioners’ sugar or dip the ends in melted chocolate. 

We are officially in the cozy season, and these are a perfect cozy cookie. They don’t have the warm spices or molasses that sugar cookies do, but they pair perfectly with a nice hot cup of tea. Lucky for us we have Harney & Sons Tea right down the street! I like to pair these buttery cookies with a milky English breakfast or the tried and true favorite, Paris. If you’re lucky enough to have a wood stove or a fireplace, these make the perfect tea accompaniment to sit and eat in front of the fire. If you don’t have a wood stove, grab a cozy blanket and put on your favorite show. Be careful though, they’re called sandies for a reason. They can be crumbly!

As always, enjoy! •

Olivia and Caroline are enthusiastic foodies and bakers who are constantly in the kitchen, as well as explorers who create their own adventures in our area – and did we mention they are mother and daughter? Follow Olivia on Instagram to see her many creations at @oliviawvalentine.