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Sugar Free Pecan Sandies

Sugar Free Pecan Sandies have all the familiar pecan goodness of the original. But you’ll love them even more because they have no added sugars. A handful of ingredients are all you need to make these melt in your mouth low carb cookies!

If you love nutty cookies, try these Sugar Free Peanut Butter cookies next. You’ll also love our Sugar Free Banana Bread recipe–with or without the pecans.

Pecan sandies stacked on a piece of parchment paper.

Why Make Sugar Free Cookies

When you start reducing your sugar intake (or omit it altogether), the cravings for sweet treats don’t go away.

With so many delicious ways to make sugar free cookies, you don’t need to deprive yourself of delicious desserts just because you’re steering clear of added sugars.

  • Making cookies sugar free means more of your friends and family can enjoy them!
  • They’re suitable for most diabetics, folks on Keto diets or anyone watching their carb intake.
  • Avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes without missing out on dessert.

If you’re new to sugar free cookie baking, this Pecan Sandies recipe is a great place to start. Crispy, buttery and nutty, they make a perfect party snack or homemade gift. Based off our favorite sugar free shortbread cookie recipe!

For more keto treats, be sure to try our Keto Pecan Cheesecake Bars too! Or give our sugar free chocolate chip cookies a try next.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed for gluten and sugar free pecan sandies.

Pecans. Make sure to chop them finely before adding to the recipe.

Unsalted butter. Using unsalted butter helps control the saltiness of the finished cookies. Let the butter soften at room temperature for a few minutes so it’s easier to work with.

Vanilla extract. Use pure vanilla extract, not imitation flavor, for richest flavor.

Almond flour. Double check your label to ensure you buy FLOUR and not almond MEAL. The labels look similar but the products are different.

Powdered monk fruit sweetener. This naturally occurring sugar free sweetener gives these cookies their sweetness, without the unpleasant aftertaste of so many artificial sugar substitutes. Powdered monk fruit looks and acts like powdered sugar in baking.

Easy Instructions

Step by step photos showing how to make pecan sandies.

First, get a cookie sheet ready by lining it with parchment paper.

Make the cookie dough:

Cream softened butter with powdered monk fruit sweetener. Add the almond flour, vanilla and salt. Use your hands to mix in the chopped pecans.

Bake the pecan sandies:

Scoop the crumbly dough into balls about 2 inches wide. Place evenly spaced on the lined baking sheet. Flatten slightly with your hand.

Bake for 11 -13 minutes until edges begin to brown. Remove and cool completely before enjoying.

Tips and Tricks

  • Flatten the cookies once again after baking to help shape them into disks.
  • This dough is very crumbly! Using your hands to incorporate the pecans helps the dough form into a ball.
  • Sprinkle cooled cookies with a little extra powdered monk fruit before serving, if desired.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy within 7 days.
  • Serve these cookies after a delicious dinner of Zucchini Rollups!
Pecan sandies served on a plate with a broken cookie to show texture.

Recipe FAQs

Why is my dough so crumbly?

It’s normal for the dough to be crumbly in this recipe! Be sure to measure your ingredients carefully. Too much almond flour or too little butter will turn the dough from slightly crumbly to too crumbly to hold together.

I only have salted butter. Can I use that instead?

Yes, salted butter can be used in this recipe if that’s what you have. Omit the added kosher salt from the recipe to compensate.

Are these cookies gluten free?

Yes, this pecan sandies recipe is naturally gluten free! It’s made with almond flour instead of wheat flour.

Can you freeze Pecan Sandies?

These sandies have a high fat content making them very freezer friendly. Store in an airtight freezer bag and they’ll keep well frozen for several months.

More Gluten Free Recipes

Large white plate with pecan sandies cookies stacked on top.

Sugar Free Pecan Sandies

Yield: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes

Sugar Free Pecan Sandies have all the familiar pecan goodness of the original. But you'll love them even more because they have no added sugars. A handful of ingredients are all you need to make these melt in your mouth low carb cookies!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered monk fruit sweetener
  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
    2. Cream butter and powdered monk fruit sweetener together in a large bowl. Add almond flour, salt and vanilla extract. It becomes very crumbly. Use your hands to mix in the chopped pecans, until it becomes a ball.
    3. Using a 2Tbsp cookie scoop, scoop dough and place on baking sheet with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart. Flatten the cookie slightly with the palm of your hand.
    4. Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes, just until lightly browned on edges. Remove from oven and flatten slightly. Cool completely.

Notes

  • Flatten the cookies once again after baking to help shape them into disks.
  • This dough is very crumbly! Using your hands to incorporate the pecans helps the dough form into a ball.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy within 7 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 141Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 18mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

The buttery crispy sweetness of these cookies makes Pecan Sandies a timeless favorite. Now you can enjoy them gluten free AND sugar free!

Sara

Wednesday 10th of May 2023

What brand of powdered monk fruit sweetner did you use? My powdered monk fruit looks different than what you have pictured and the taste is off after baking. Mine is more fine and not white in color more pale orange? Thank you!

Kristen

Thursday 4th of August 2022

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! New favorite!

Aimee

Friday 5th of August 2022

Awww so glad!

Ivette

Thursday 21st of July 2022

What can I do to not have too crumbly? Should I add some glutten free kings flour?

cheryl

Sunday 29th of October 2023

@Ivette, i read comments before and saw they were crumbly. I added a Tablespoon and half of egg white and they came out beautifully.

Raewyn

Tuesday 26th of April 2022

Can you use stevia if you can't get monk powder

Aimee

Thursday 28th of April 2022

Sure can!

Roberta J. Costisick

Sunday 28th of November 2021

These cookies are the best. Diabetic or not everyone loved them. Thank you for sharing.

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