Easy Cake Mix Pecan Sandies

If you love that nutty goodness of a pecan sandie but you’re in a hurry, I’ve got a real treat for you! These yummy pecan sandie cookies come together in minutes and start with a simple box of white cake mix. 

What is a Pecan Sandie? 

A Pecan Sandie is a classic shortbread-style cookie loaded with buttery richness and crunchy pecans. I’ve been crazy about pecan-based cookies all of my life and love my homemade version. So I knew I would love these too. (Hint: I did!)

By the way, the name "Sandie" comes from the cookie's slightly sandy texture, a signature trait of shortbread-style treats. Traditionally, they usually rolled into round discs or logs (think slice-and-bake) and baked until golden brown. 

Pecan Sandies are beloved for their rich, melt-in-your-mouth consistency and have been a nostalgic favorite for generations, often enjoyed as a homemade treat or a store-bought classic.

What are we waiting for? Let’s make some Cake Mix Pecan Sandies! 

Pecan Sandie Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need to make these simple cookies. 

• 1 box (15.25 ounce) white cake mix
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 stick (half cup) room temperature butter (salted or unsalted, your choice)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Cake Mix Pecan Sandies

This is such a simple recipe! 

Cream butter in a large mixing bowl. Add all other ingredients except pecans. Beat until it all comes together. Add pecans, mixing only until incorporated. 

Split the dough into two logs and wrap in waxed paper. 

Twist the ends. 

Place logs in freezer for 30 minutes.

Now it’s time to slice and bake! 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

Slice the Cookes in any depth you like. I like to make mine about ½ inch. 

Place on parchment lined baking sheet and place in preheated oven. 

If you like, add a pecan half to each cookie.

Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until cookies are set. The amount of time you’ll need to bake depends on how thick you slice your cookies. 

Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. 

Serve and enjoy! 

Store at room temperature in an airtight container up to four days. 

You can freeze this dough for up to two months in a freezer bag. (Perfect for slice and bake with the kids later on.) 

What to Expect from this Recipe

These cookies have a slightly crumbly yet tender texture, thanks to their high butter content. They’re not quite as crisp as a traditional homemade pecan sandie, but they’re yummy, regardless. Unlike overly sweet cookies, these delicious Pecan Sandies have a mildly sweet, nutty flavor with a hint of vanilla, making them perfect for pairing with a hot beverage! And that’s what makes these so special. They’re dunk-able, perfect in hot tea! 

Other Pecan-Infused Favorites from Out of the Box Baking

• Caramel Pecan Banana Bread
• Puff Pastry Pecan Pie Bites
• Pecan Toffee Cookies with Salted Caramel
• Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies
• Quick and Easy Butter Pecan Loaf
• Fudgy Pecan Pie
• Simple Pecan Pie Bars

That’s it for this post, friends!

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you're at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

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About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 165 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.