Grandmom's Sand Tarts are a classic American cookie recipe that has been passed down through generations. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with simple ingredients and have a delicate, sandy texture that gives them their name. The recipe is easy to follow and yields a large batch of cookies, making them perfect for sharing. Enjoy these nostalgic treats with a cup of tea or as a special addition to your holiday cookie platter.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and confectioners' sugar.
- Add the softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix the ingredients until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove one chilled disc of dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes from the rolled dough. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 with the second disc of dough.
- Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be sure to rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking for even browning.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, dust them with additional confectioners' sugar if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Sand Tarts are a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert.
These cookies are called 'sand tarts' due to their sandy texture.
The recipe for Sand Tarts dates back to the 18th century.