This Easy Pecan Shortbread is a quick, easy, shortcut way to make buttery, delicious shortbread cookie bars!
Shortbread cookies. They’re one of my most favorite things. There’s something magical about the perfect blend of flour, butter, and sugar. But truth be told, they can be a little fussy.
Some recipes call for you to use cold butter and cut it into the flour. Other recipes call for you to roll the dough out and prick it with a fork. Some even call for you to use cookie cutters.
And while none of these tasks are especially difficult, it’s the holidays! Ain’t nobody got time for all that. Enter my EASY Pecan Shortbread…
Easy Pecan Shortbread – Easy as Pie!
Seriously, this is the easiest shortbread I’ve ever made. And does it taste as good as the other stuff? Heck yeah it does.
Now, there’ll be naysayers out there (they always show up) claiming this isn’t “true” shortbread. But I say, “Whatever.” It looks like it and tastes like it, but it’s a whole lot easier! And I like easy. And I know you do, too!
Recipe Card
Easy Pecan Shortbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature ((2 sticks) )
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ยฐF. With a mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Add the vanilla. Gradually add the flour and mix until combined. Add the pecans and mix briefly to combine.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a ungreased 13X9-inch baking dish. If the mixture it too sticky, cover with wax paper and use the wax paper to press flat.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and use a pizza cutter to cut into squares. Allow too cool in the pan before removing. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Eddie
LOL! I started making these and my wife said “No, Please make GA Cornbread. They look yummy I will try themnext time.
Stacey
Ha! They’re both delicious options!
Lisa
I felt in the mood to bake so had all the ingredients for this shortbread and loved how easy and it was in bar form. But, I only had almonds so instead of vanilla I used almond extract and chopped almonds. Very good!
Stacey
So glad you enjoyed this!
Alice
Stacy, I love your recipes besides being easy they are delicious.
Stacey
Thanks, Alice!
Sandy
Hi Stacey! Thank you for this easy recipe; it’s just what I’ve been looking for! I’m wondering if as a variation you’ve ever tried baking this in “cookie” form? I’m thinking of dropping spoonfuls on a cookie sheet and keeping a close eye on them as they bake so that I figure out the baking time!
Thank you for all the wonderful recipes you’ve shared and our southern family has thoroughly enjoyed! ๐
Stacey
Hey, Sandy! I worry a bit about them spreading too much, but can’t say for sure, as I’ve not tried it that way. If you do, please come back and let me know how they turned out!
Sue
Bless you, Stacey, for trying to teach others how to correctly measure flour. Many times I see television cooks scooping into the canister and sometimes even using liquid measuring cups. It makes a world of difference in the finished product. Let’s keep trying to get the word out. From an old home economics teacher
Stacey
You’re so welcome! It certainly can make a difference!
Debbie
Delicious! And if its got butter, powdered sugar and flour, tell the naysayers to take a hike because IT IS SHORTBREAD! This came together so much easier than some shortbread. The flavor, the crumb..it is so good!
Stacey
So glad this turned out great for you, Debbie! Thanks for letting me know.
Patt Brenden
Oven at 325?
Stacey
Yes, the oven should be at 325ยฐF.
Ellen Allen
Same recipe as the pecan cookies โฆ with less nuts โฆ interesting ๐ THANKS!!
Stacey
Sure! Enjoy!
Kari
Yum! I love that this is an easy recipe!
Kari
https://sweetteasweetie.com/birds-nest-breakfast-bowl/
Stacey
Thanks, Kari!
Cheryl
These look delish! Adding them to my list of need to make, lol!
Stacey
Hope you’ll enjoy!