Ina Garten Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe

This Ina Garten pecan shortbread cookies recipe is buttery and crumbly, which uses chopped pecans and vanilla for classic flavor. It’s a foolproof dessert recipe, ready in about 55 minutes plus chilling time.

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Ina Garten Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe

1. Preheat the oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
3. Add dry ingredients: Gradually add flour and salt until just combined. Stir in chopped pecans evenly.
4. Shape the dough: Divide dough in half, roll each into a 2-inch log, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Slice and bake: Slice chilled logs into ½-inch thick rounds. Arrange on baking sheet and bake 15–18 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
6. Cool and dust: Cool cookies on the sheet 5 minutes, transfer to wire rack, and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use toasted pecans? Yes, toasting enhances flavor—toast pecans at 350°F for 5–7 minutes before chopping.
• How to prevent spreading? Chill dough thoroughly before slicing and baking.
• Can I freeze the dough? Yes, freeze the wrapped dough logs up to 2 months; slice and bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.
• How to make them extra buttery? Use high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Can I add other nuts? Walnuts or almonds can be substituted for pecans.

What To Serve With Pecan Shortbread Cookies

These cookies pair well with warm or cold beverages for dessert or snacking:

• Coffee or espresso
• Hot tea
• Hot chocolate
• Vanilla ice cream

How To Store Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.

Pecan Shortbread Cookies Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~180
• Fat: ~11g
• Carbohydrates: ~18g
• Protein: ~2g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without nuts?
Yes, omit the pecans for plain shortbread cookies.

Why is my dough too crumbly?
It may need a bit more butter or an extra minute of mixing to come together.

Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling helps prevent spreading and makes slicing easier.

Can I roll these into shapes instead of slicing?
Yes, roll and cut with cookie cutters if you prefer shaped cookies.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Blackberry Pie Recipe
• Ina Garten Tres Leches Cake Recipe
• Ina Garten Chocolate Flourless Cake Recipe