Maple Pecan Shortbread

Posted By nutmegnanny on November 17, 2009

I have only recently started to like the flavor of pecans. I know it’s weird but I just have never been a fan of nuts. To this day I still dislike walnuts…yuck! Luckily since I now enjoy pecans I enjoyed these delicious cookies. They had a hint of maple flavor and the perfect cookie crunch. I froze a little bag of these cookies and they froze beautifully. My plan is to make them again and freeze them for my Christmas cookie trays.

The only thing I changed about this recipe was leaving out the maple flavoring. I did not have any in the house and was not about to run out and try and find some. I used a little more maple syrup instead and made sure to use Grade B. It has more maple flavor than Grade A…in my opinion Enjoy!

Maple Pecan Sandies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 C. all purpose flour
1/2 C. cake flour (not self-rising)
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup pecan halves - finally chopped
24 whole pecan halves
2 sticks unslated butter - room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup - Grade B
1 large egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon pure maple extract
1 large egg - light beaten
Turbinado sugar - for sprinkling

Source: Martha Stewart

Directions:

Into a medium bowl, sift flours and salt. Whisk in 1/2 cup chopped pecans, set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until smooth and light, about one minute. Add the maple syrup, egg yolk, and extract; beat on medium speed until well combined. On low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just combined. Dough should be smooth and pliable. Flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm, 1 1/2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out rounds using a two-inch cookie cutter; place one inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg; sprinkle centers with remaining 1/4 cup pecans. Sprinkle the entire surface with turbinado sugar.

Bake cookies, rotating baking sheet halfway through, until golden around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to four days.

51 comments »

51 Responses to “Maple Pecan Shortbread”

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1

CakeSpy — November 17, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Oh, these look crazy delicious!! One of my favorite flavor combinations!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
  
  Thanks! They are crazy delicious…
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2

girlichef — November 17, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Oh, they are pretty!! And I love nuts…and I would go nuts…over these. (forgive my stupidity, I like to amuse myself) I’m bookmarking with all the intentions of making them p.s…I received my winning today….so cool…thanks again!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
  
  Hahaha…I hope you make them and enjoy them as much as I did. I’m glad you liked your gift
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3

Faith — November 17, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I love pecan sandies and I think adding the flavor of maple is a great idea! And I completely agree with you about Grade A vs. Grade B maple syrup…for some reason, B’s so much more maple-y, and better in my book too!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
  
  The maple fit right in at home with the pecan sandies. Why I never did this before I don’t know.
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4

Nicole — November 17, 2009 at 10:15 pm
O.O

How pretty! They’ll look so perfect on your holiday cookie platter!… and I didn’t know that about grade a/grade b maple syrup.

You’ve got me trying to think of recipes that will sway your opinion on walnuts.
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
  
  Hahaha I don’t know about swaying my opinion on walnuts.
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5

donna — November 17, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Oh good grief, maple pecan shortbread, sounds like it could become my new favorite cookie, so delish!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
  
  Thanks! I hope you like them
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6

megan — November 17, 2009 at 11:40 pm
What a pretty little cookie. I love maple and this seems like a perfect cookie tray cookie. Wish I had a few right now!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
  
  Thanks:) I love the little nut on top. It makes it look so festive!
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7

jenn — November 17, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Sweet!!! Love this!!! Pecans are one of my favorite nuts. There’s just something to the taste that makes them so good. Bookmarked.
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
  
  I hope you like them! Pecans are starting to grow on me….
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8

Liz@HoosierHomemade — November 17, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Those look awesome! And what beautiful pictures!
~Liz
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
  
  Thanks for the comments about my pictures. I’m slowly learning how to take better pictures.
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9

Sue — November 18, 2009 at 12:25 am
These look so buttery and golden to perfection-YUM!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
  
  Thanks!
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10

Sophie — November 18, 2009 at 3:27 am
these treats look stunning!! MMMMMMM,….just pure indulgence!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
  
  Thanks for visiting my blog!
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11

Amanda — November 18, 2009 at 7:58 am
Those are beautiful! I love pecans, could munch on them all day
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
  
  Hahaha I’m beginning to think I’m the only person who does not like nuts…:)
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12

Heavenly Housewife — November 18, 2009 at 9:25 am
I love pecan sandies. These look fantastic. If eating all these nut-based cookies becomes too much for you, i know of a housewife who can help you *kisses* HH
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
  
  Jump the pond and come eat nuts in America…or is that go nuts in America……….
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13

Reeni — November 18, 2009 at 11:11 am
These look like they would just melt in your mouth! How scrumptious! Haha walnuts are my favorite nut! I love them in baked goods.
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
  
  I know it’s so crazy to hate walnuts. I swear everyone I know loves them. My dad eats them like they are going out of style.
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14

Julia — November 18, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Best flavor combination! I am excited to make these!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
  
  Thanks! I hope you enjoy them
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15

Jen — November 18, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Homemade pecan sandies with maple – wow that sounds good!
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 18th, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
  
  They are…I promise
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16

sarah — November 18, 2009 at 6:46 pm

Came over from girli chef, I was intrigued by your comment. A pastry cef and a tattoo artist? It makes sense, pastry is definately an art form. I love your blog and will be back!
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17

Blond Duck — November 18, 2009 at 7:17 pm

Those look amazing. You’re such a good baker!
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18

southern hostess — November 18, 2009 at 11:38 pm

These look delicious, and I’ll take anything with pecans.
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Barbara — November 19, 2009 at 12:10 am

I’ve just recently started liking nuts and still don’t like walnuts too! These cookie look like something I would love too!
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natalia — November 19, 2009 at 3:27 am

Ciao ! Yours are works of art , so beautiful !!
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21

Velva — November 19, 2009 at 11:59 am

These cookies look absolutely lovely. The flavors and the textures…Just out of this world. Thanks for sharing.
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22

grace — November 19, 2009 at 1:17 pm

you know, i’m not particularly crazy about pecans either, but these little nibblies look extremely appetizing. nicely done!
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23

Debbie — November 19, 2009 at 1:18 pm

They are a beautiful looking cookie and a great pic! The flavor just sounds delicious!
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24

April — November 19, 2009 at 2:24 pm

Talking about looking good, I could eat a dozen of these!!
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25

Sandy — November 19, 2009 at 2:41 pm

I love anything with maple. Anything!!

Thank you for sharing. Great blog!
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26

Doreen Frost — November 19, 2009 at 3:50 pm

Hello. I stopped by as I saw your name “nutmeg nanny” on another blog and though..I LOVE that name…well, I LOVE your blog..what wonderful recipes you have here!!! I’ll be a regular visitor from now on.

Take care, Doreen
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27

Cakelaw — November 19, 2009 at 5:11 pm

What gorgeous cookies – perfect for the season!
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28

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction — November 19, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I absolutely love the picture… and the cookies look great! Question – do you freeze them before or after baking?
- nutmegnanny replied: — November 19th, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
  
  I froze them after I baked them but I don’t see why they would not turn out if you did it before baking. Since they were such a crunchy cookie I didn’t think it would really affect the texture by doing it after they were cooked.
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Natasha - 5 Star Foodie — November 19, 2009 at 9:09 pm

These sound scrumptious with maple flavor & pecans on top!
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30

Kitchen Butterfly — November 21, 2009 at 11:21 am

Oh my word….maple syrup, pecans, cookie…nothing left to say
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31

molly — November 23, 2009 at 3:41 pm

Um, maple and pecan are a match made in heaven. Thx for the reminder — will be going on my christmas cookie roster!
Molly
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32

Kevin — November 29, 2009 at 8:24 am

Maple shortbread is a great idea!
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lynn — December 2, 2009 at 9:10 pm

These look and sound fantastic. I have just discovered in the last year how much I love maple. It all started when I got a great spinach salad with maple vinaigrette recipe from another blogger. You just never know where blogging will lead! These cookies look like they’d be a great addition to a Christmas cookie tray
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34

Kocinera — August 12, 2010 at 11:31 pm

These look so yummy! I’d been looking for a great pecan cookie recipe and I think I’ve found it! Can’t wait to give these a try.

P.S. Your photos are great!