Description
Bien Cuit’s Masala Pecan Sandies are buttery, spiced shortbread cookies featuring toasted pecans and fragrant masala, delivering a unique twist on the classic pecan cookie. This recipe yields tender, golden-brown squares that are lightly crisp on the edges and melt in your mouth, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 150 grams (1 cup plus 3 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
- 90 grams (1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon) granulated sugar
- 90 grams (scant 1 cup) toasted, ground pecans
- 5 grams (1 teaspoon) masala spice blend
- 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 1/4 vanilla bean, scraped
Wet Ingredients
- 125 grams (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 25 grams (1 1/2) egg yolks
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients either by hand or using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Blend until the dough just starts to come together. Transfer it onto a work surface and shape into a rectangle. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or a reusable alternative.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the wrapped dough until it is chilled but still pliable enough to press a dent into with your finger. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it for up to a couple of days, then allow it to come to room temperature until soft enough to roll out.
- Roll and Cut: Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out to about ½-inch thickness using a rolling pin. Cut into 2×2-inch squares or smaller if preferred. Place the cookies evenly spaced by a couple of inches on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Firm Up the Cut Cookies: Refrigerate or freeze the cut dough squares until firm to ensure they maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the chilled cookies for 10 to 15 minutes or until they turn deeply golden brown all over.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets until they are firm. Optionally, dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving for a decorative and sweet finish.
Notes
- Toasting and grinding the pecans enhances their flavor and adds a lovely nutty depth to the cookies.
- Masala spice blend should be aromatic and balanced; typical ingredients include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and pepper.
- You can prepare the dough in advance by refrigerating it up to 2 days or freezing longer for convenience.
- Ensure dough is properly chilled before cutting and baking to prevent spreading and preserve the cookie shape.
- Use unsalted butter at room temperature for best texture and flavor control.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 28 grams)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 11 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 2 grams
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
