The Estate Bakery
Iced Thyme-Lemon Pecan Sandies
The Strategy:
These delicate pecan sandies are exceptionally tender, combining ground pecans, almond flour, and coconut oil with a touch of fresh thyme and lemon zest. Rolling the dough into a log and freezing it before slicing ensures the cookies maintain their shape and bake to a beautiful light golden-brown. Finished with a sweet, thyme-lemon glaze, they offer a sophisticated balance of sweet, nutty, and herbal notes.
Ingredients
- 1 (2-ounce) package pecan pieces, about 1/3 cup
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup natural cane sugar
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
- Zest of 1 medium lemon, about 2 teaspoons
- ¾ cups coconut oil
- 2 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- Zest of 1 medium lemon, about 2 teaspoons
- Juice of 1 medium lemon, about 3 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Place the pecans into the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse until finely ground.
- Add all-purpose flour, almond flour and salt and pulse to combine. Use your fingers to combine cane sugar, 2 tablespoons thyme and 2 teaspoons lemon zest together in a bowl to form moist clumps. Use an electric mixer to combine the thyme-sugar with the coconut oil until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until the dough just comes together.
- Pour the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 12-inch log.
- Roll the log in the plastic wrap twisting the ends to tighten.
- Chill in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Remove the cookie log from the freezer and take off the plastic wrap.
- Slice the log into ½-inch rounds placing each one onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake until the cookies are just beginning to turn golden, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Whisk confectioners' sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, lemon juice, cream, 1 teaspoon thyme and just a smidge of salt together in a small bowl until smooth. Just a bit of salt will actually highlight the sweetness of the sugar. The frosting should be spreadable and not too runny. If it is too thick add a touch more cream. If it is too thin, add a bit more confectioners' sugar.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon frosting over each cookie.
- Let the cookie sit on the rack until the frosting firms up, about 30 minutes. Store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. That is if there are any left to store!
Cook’s Tip
It wasn’t until I visited Italy that I discovered limoncello. It’s a sweet-tart, lemony drink often served after our meal. Certainly, you can buy a bottle at your local liquor store, but it’s even more FUN to make your own. First, choose wonderful lemons. I use Meyer lemons for my li moncello. These are the closest I find to the ones grown in the orchards I visited in Positano. Next, choose a vodka; almost anyone will do. Then infuse those lemons into the vodka and put your patience cap on. The longer you infuse the flavors, the better will be your limoncello. After (at least 4 days—and I waited 3 weeks), you add a simple syrup to give the drink it’s sweet component. You can bottle it up at this point. Drink limoncello chilled and straight up, on the rocks, or mix into your favorite cocktail. It’s delish!
The full recipe lives in the Vault
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The Heart of the Table
Placed on a dainty serving plate, these iced cookies bring a touch of garden-party elegance and refined sweetness to the table. The unexpected note of fresh thyme combined with bright lemon glaze sparks conversation and delights the palate with its subtle complexity. They are a delightful treat that pairs perfectly with afternoon coffee or tea, encouraging a slow, relaxing visit.
- unbleached, pre-cut parchment paper sheets for clean releases
- pure cotton kitchen twine for secure trussing and styling
- a heavy-duty die-cast aluminum lemon squeezer with an enamel finish
- a hand-cut glass mixing pitcher with a diamond-cut pattern
- a sleek, solid brass Japanese double jigger with inner measurement lines
- a seamless, high-heat resistant silicone spatula in a soft slate grey
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Arrange the glazed cookies in a single layer on a polished silver tray, garnished with a few fresh sprigs of thyme and lemon slices.
- THE POUR: A cup of hot, freshly brewed chamomile-lemon tea or a chilled glass of sweet limoncello to match the bright citrus notes.
- THE VIBE: Morning Sunroom: Soft sunlight filtering through leafy green plants sets a serene, peaceful tone for a quiet, relaxing morning visit.
