Its a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty.

Believe it or not, sand tarts are not tarts.

So why the name?

Closeup view of a beige platter of sand tart cookies topped with a pecan halves resting on a green napkin

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Many old European cookies also include sand in the name.

Norway has sandbakelse, Germany has Heidesand, and France has sables.

My versionafter testing, tinkering, and tastingleans a little closer to theshortbreadend of the spectrum than sugar cookie.

Overhead view of a beige platter of sand tart cookies topped with a pecan halves resting on a green napkin

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

This also makes for a richer, crumblier cookie.

And I opt for powdered sugar over granulated sugar.

The dough can stick to the counter, the rolling pin, and your hands.

Closeup view of a pink plate with two sand tart cookies topped with a pecan halves and one cookie has a bite taken out of it

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Pulse a few times to combine.

Pulse several times until the butter has been cut into the flour and the mixture resembles coarse sand.

In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the yolk, cold water, and vanilla extract.

An overhead view of a food processor bowl with the dry ingredients for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

With the food processor running on low, slowly pour in the wet ingredients.

Stop the food processor as soon as the dough starts to come together.

Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter and transfer the dough onto the plastic wrap.

An overhead view of a food processor bowl with the butter and dry ingredients for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Shape the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick.

Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside until ready to use.

Cut 2 more large sheets of parchment paper about 16 inches long to roll out the cookies with.

An overhead view of a food processor bowl with the butter and dry ingredients after processing to resemble coarse sand for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Remove the dough from the fridge and cut it in half.

Roll out the dough between the two sheets of parchment paper to between 1/16 and 1/8-inch thick.

Take the dough out of the freezer and put it back on the counter.

Overhead view of a clear glass measuring cup with egg yolk, cold water and vanilla extract mixed for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Peel off the top sheet of parchment.

Simple Tip!

Beat the egg white in a small bowl with a whisk or a fork until frothy.

An overhead view of a food processor bowl with the wet and dry ingredients after processing for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

In another small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and the cinnamon.

Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg white.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and add a pecan half to the center of the cookie.

Overhead view of the dough wrapped in plastic wrap for chilling from Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Sand tarts can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week.

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Overhead view of half of the dough after chilling and covered in flour ready to roll from Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Overhead view of two hands rolling out the dough between sheets of parchment paper for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Overhead view of the rolled dough on parchment paper after starting to cut out the cookies with a cookie cutter and place on a baking sheet for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Overhead view of a metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper and with twelve cookies cut out with round cookie cutter for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Overhead view of three small glass bowls with pecans, cinnamon sugar mixture and egg whites ready for topping cookies from Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Closeup view of the cut out cookies brushed with egg white and topped with a pecan half and cinnamon sugar mixture for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Overhead view of twelve cookies on a baking sheet after baking for Sand Tarts recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm