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If there was a recipe that was tried and true to put a smile on your face, it is my Nana's sand tarts Cookie recipe. Every family has that one recipe that gets handed down from family member to family member and this is one of them for our family.
Sand Tarts Cookies Are Thin And Crisp
I grew up enjoying this recipe for sand tarts cookies. My Nana loved sweets like peanut butter fudge, but these were her favorite cookie to bake.
I started making these as a young baker. The recipe is simple, using only 5 ingredients, and to be honest, a little time-consuming.
Time-consuming in the fact that this recipe makes A LOT of cookies!
Sand Tarts are crisp, not too sweet and are divine to dunk in tea or coffee.
Related recipes: Brown Sugar Shortbread, Classic Sugar Cookies, 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies, Monster Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cast Iron Skillet Cookie, Homemade Thin Mints, Watermelon Slice Cookies, Crispy Sugar Cookie Hearts, St Patricks Day Sugar Cookies
Other PA Dutch Recipes: , Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
My favorite kitchen tools to have on hand make it so much easier to make these delicious Amish style sugar cookies.
- Rolling Pin– to make sure you can roll the dough as thin as possible.
- Cookie Cutters – These are my favorite cutters- Anne Clarke has so many options to choose from!
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Small Ramekin Dishes – these are super handy to separate sugar sprinkles & toppings.
- Spatula
- Cooling Rack– Every kitchen should have one of these!
- Cookie sheets
What is Best Topping for Nana's Sand Tarts Cookie
Unlike other sugar cookies that can have a glaze or flooded icing, these only require sugar.
You can use a mixture of cinnamon sugar
(my favorite) or colored sanding sugar
.
I would steer clear of the Jimmies
or sprinkles normally found on ice cream because they may melt, but, if they are your favorite cookie decoration, by all means, give it a try!
A Cookie to Enjoy All Year Long
Even though my Nana made these cookies every holiday, it doesn't mean they have to be just Christmas cookies!
I really like making them all year long! I've made these for July 4th, Halloween, Birthday parties, etc. In fact, if there is a cookie-cutter
shape you love, this is the recipe to use to put joy on a plate.
I have the dough ball chilling and will be ready to roll after this post!
How to Make PA Dutch Sand Tarts
Ingredients
- Flour
- Confectioner Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
My Nana always used 10x sugar
or more commonly known as confectioners sugar!
Be sure to have eggs on hand, not only for the dough itself but also for creating wash to brush over the tops of the cookies.
This is what helps the sugar sprinkles stick before baking and also create the crispiness.
My favorite baking flour
is King Arthur, but you can most certainly use your favorite. Just be sure you are using All-Purpose flour.
Land O' Lakes butter
is also what Nana used, but again, brand preference is up to you- and it has to be BUTTER- not margarine!
Directions
- Mix sugar and butter in a large bowl.
- Add your eggs & flour and mix to incorporate completely.
- Wrap dough in saran wrap and chill for 1 hour (makes it easier to roll).
and chill for 1 hour (makes it easier to roll).The secret to these Sand Tart cookies is to roll them very thin.
Cut with favorite cookie cutter
shape.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet
.
Brush lightly with egg wash and decorate with coloredsugar sprinkles
.
**I also make a cinnamon sugar topping
3 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon
Bake in your preheated oven & Store in an airtight container
.
**Note** Ah, here is where this recipe is challenging. You have to watch the cookies because if left in too long they will “burn” or come out dark brown. They are so thin that they cook very fast!
At least my Dad likes the burnt ones, so no cookie goes to waste!
Are you looking for a Cute holiday craft recipe you can do with the kids? Try making our fun Snowman Marshmallow Craft Pops or our Reindeer Marshmallow Stirrers for hot cocoa! They make great gifts too!
If you love THE best Nana's Sand Tarts Cookie recipe as much as my family does, please help me share the love by sharing on Facebook and Pinterest!
And be sure to tag us @eatpicks- #eatpicks if you share on Instagram!
Yield: 4 dozen
Nana's Sand Tarts cookies are a family favorite. They are made with only 5 simple ingredients and are crisp and delicious!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Additional Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 16 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 Box 10x sugar, or 3 3/4 C. confectioner sugar
- 4 eggs
- 4 Cups flour
- 1/2 lb. butter, 2 sticks, softened
- 1 egg for egg wash
Instructions
- Mix sugar and butter.
- Add eggs & flour.
- Wrap dough in saran wrap and chill for 1 hour (makes it easier to roll).
- On a floured surface, roll out a softball-size piece of dough with a rolling pin until very thin (thickness of CD or less).
- Cut with favorite cookie cutter shape.
- Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Brush lightly with egg wash and decorate with colored sugar sprinkles.
- **I also make a cinnamon sugar topping 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon**
- Bake in 350 oven until light golden color (about 6-8 minutes).*
Notes
Ah, here is were this recipe is challenging. You have to watch the cookies, because if left in too long they will "burn" or come out dark brown. They are so thin that they cook very fast! At least Dad likes the burnt ones, so no cookie goes to waste!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
30Serving Size:
2
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 187Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g
Original Post 12/2009
Updated Post 12/2019
Judy Arndt
Saturday 23rd of December 2023
I’m from Mt Joy and make these every year here in michigan. They’ve replaced sugar cookies in my kids families! !!!!
Kelly Pugliano
Thursday 28th of December 2023
Such a wonderful way to enjoy a taste of home!
Conetta Tyler
Friday 22nd of December 2023
Loved making these cookies . Very easy .
Kelly Pugliano
Thursday 28th of December 2023
Glad you liked them!! They are tasty!
Alice
Sunday 17th of December 2023
Can I use almond flour ?
Kelly Pugliano
Thursday 28th of December 2023
I have never used almond flour for a substitution so unsure how they would bake. If you are looking for gluten free option, maybe try a 1 for 1 flour like King Arthur.
Susan K.
Thursday 14th of December 2023
I grew up on my Grandmother’s Sand tarts. The only difference is, she would put grated orange peel in hers. The flavor of the orange zest just brought it up a notch. This is the one cookie my father request every Christmas along with her drop sugar cookie. Always brings back memories of me baking with my Gram!
Kelly Pugliano
Sunday 17th of December 2023
That sounds lovely! What great memories!
St Patrick's Day Sugar Cookies | Eat Picks
Friday 10th of March 2023
[…] love making my Nana's Sand Tarts cookies during the holidays and quickly learned this sugar cookie recipe is perfect for making fun treats […]
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