How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (2024)

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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.

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (1)

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

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (2)

My favorite kitchen tools to have on hand make it so much easier to make these delicious Amish style sugar cookies.

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 sugarHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (11) (my favorite) or colored sanding sugarHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (12).

I would steer clear of the JimmiesHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (13) 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!

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (14)

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-cutterHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (15) 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 NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (16)

How to Make PA Dutch Sand Tarts

Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Confectioner Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Butter

My Nana always used 10x sugarHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (17) 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.

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (18)

This is what helps the sugar sprinkles stick before baking and also create the crispiness.

My favorite baking flourHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (19) is King Arthur, but you can most certainly use your favorite. Just be sure you are using All-Purpose flour.

Land O' Lakes butterHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (20) 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 wrapHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (21) and chill for 1 hour (makes it easier to roll).

The secret to these Sand Tart cookies is to roll them very thin.

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (22)

Cut with favorite cookie cutterHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (23) shape.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheetHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (24).

Brush lightly with egg wash and decorate with coloredsugar sprinklesHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (25).

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (26)

**I also make a cinnamon sugar topping

3 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon

Bake in your preheated oven & Store in an airtight containerHow to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (27).

**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!

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (28)

Yield: 4 dozen

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (29)

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

  1. Mix sugar and butter.
  2. Add eggs & flour.
  3. Wrap dough in saran wrap and chill for 1 hour (makes it easier to roll).
  4. On a floured surface, roll out a softball-size piece of dough with a rolling pin until very thin (thickness of CD or less).
  5. Cut with favorite cookie cutter shape.
  6. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  7. Brush lightly with egg wash and decorate with colored sugar sprinkles.
  8. **I also make a cinnamon sugar topping 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon**
  9. 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!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

2

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 187Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g

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How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (36)

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 […]

How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (39)

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How to Make NaNa's Sand Tarts Cookie {Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

How do you beat cookie batter? ›

Beating can be done by hand with a whisk or using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment (or an electric handheld mixer) on medium to high speed. Beating requires some liquid and can be used to mix liquid ingredients or a combination of dry and liquid ingredients.

How to jazz up sugar cookies? ›

Take plain sugar cookies up a notch with exciting mix-ins like chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, toasted chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit or M&M's. Add these after blending your butter and egg into the sugar cookie mix.

How to improve cookie mix cookies? ›

Substitute Ingredients
  1. Butter Instead of Margarine.
  2. Substitute margarine or shortening for butter using a 1:1 ratio.
  3. Coconut Oil Instead Of Other Fats.
  4. Substitute any fat or oil for coconut oil using a 1:1 ratio.
  5. Maple Syrup Instead Of Granulated Sugar.
  6. Vanilla Extract.
  7. Vanilla Essence Vs. Vanilla Extract.
  8. Almond Extract.

How do I know if my cookie dough is overmixed? ›

You may notice visible pockets of flour, streaks of butter, or uneven coloration. When overmixed, though, cookie dough will feel dense, greasy, heavy, and warm. It may be tough to roll out or work with, just like overmixed pie dough.

What happens if you beat cookie dough too long? ›

Overmixing the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough and dense cookies. It's essential to mix the ingredients just until they come together to avoid developing too much gluten.

What happens when you add extra sugar to cookies? ›

What happens if you increase the amount of sugar called for in cookies? Conversely, when you increase the sugar in cookies, you'll get cookies that spread more and have an ultra moist and chewy texture in addition to a sweeter flavor.

What happens when you put powdered sugar in cookies? ›

Powdered sugar can be used for several purposes in baked goods: Sweetener: provides a sweet flavor. Tenderizer: interferes with gluten formation, protein coagulation and starch gelatinization. Shelf life improvement: reduces the amount of water available for microbial deterioration.

How to make store bought sugar cookies taste homemade? ›

No one will even suspect they're store-bought (and we won't tell anyone!).
  1. Add brown sugar. ...
  2. Experiment with extracts. ...
  3. Mix in different candies and snacks. ...
  4. Add espresso or coffee grounds. ...
  5. Deepen the flavors by refrigerating the dough. ...
  6. Salt before baking the cookies. ...
  7. Reduce baking time for extra soft cookies.

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

What does extra flour do to a cookie? ›

Even if your cookies aren't turning out flat, however, more flour can still be beneficial. Per Food & Wine, the more flour you use, the denser the consistency will be. Instead of a cookie that is soft or bread-like, you'll end up with one that is firm yet tender and chewy, similar to that of a brownie.

Can you beat cookie dough? ›

Once dry ingredients have been added, don't beat vigorously or overmix. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.

How do you not overmix cookie batter? ›

Knead the dough into a cohesive ball outside the mixer to prevent overmixing (which makes a tough cookie) 》Add just enough flour so it doesn't stick to your counter.

What is the beating technique in baking? ›

Beating. This is the rigorous mixing of ingredients using a wooden spoon, electric whisk, food mixer or food processor. The purpose is to thoroughly combine ingredients and to incorporate air, making cakes light and fluffy.

How long does it take to beat cookie dough? ›

For a hand mixer, you will need to beat for 5 or 6 minutes. If you are using a stand mixer, it will be approximately 3 minutes on medium speed (tested on a KitchenAid, speed 4). If you have a Bosch mixer, use the dough hook and beat for 3 minutes on speed 3.

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