Tuesday, November 20, 2012

French Sand Cookies

The French Sand Cookie is a classic French butter cookie.  It is also called a "Sables" which is French for sand and refers to the crumbly sand-like texture.  This recipe was adapted from The Budget Cook Book by Ida Bailey Allen dated 1935 (also a Depression-Era cookbook). 

1/2 cup of margarine
1 cup of granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon almond extract
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
  
 Cream together the margarine, sugar, egg yolks, well beaten, and the extract.  Sift together the dry ingredients and work them into the first mixture. Cover and chill the dough for a few hours.  Then transfer to a slightly floured board.  Roll to one-fourth inch in thickness and shape as desired with a cookie cutter, keeping the cookies small.  You can dust the cookies with plain or colored sugar crystals and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 11 minutes.  This makes about 2 dozen.


In doing a little research on this cookie I discovered it froze well.  I thought this was perfect for American cooks this week who are looking to make the holidays a little easier.  I thought it would be nice to bake a batch of these cookies this week and then pull them out in a few weeks and decorate them.  That way half of the work will already be done before the Christmas season.  I froze several and then pulled them out of the freezer to thaw and decorated mine with a white chocolate tinted red and some crumbled up peppermint.

How do they taste?  They taste like a mix between shortbread and a crisp sugar cookie with the almond flavor.  I love the almond flavor in a crisp sugar cookie with coffee or tea.  It is a great mix.  So have a little tea and enjoy!
Sherry
I will link this to: 
Home at Rose Chintz Cottage
Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm
On the Menu Monday at Stonegable 
Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
A Pinteresting Party  at Tutus & Tea Parties
The Teaist Tea Talk Link Up  
Your Great Idea Link Party  at Or so she says...

22 comments:

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

“ Happy Thanksgiving “ My dear friend to you and your family..Many Blessings..Hugs and love Gloria

Leslie said...

These cookies looks like morsels of Christmas goodness to me! I really like any buttery tasting cookie, and I find almond extact so delicious, too! Your pictures are beautiful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Leslie

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Delicious! And great photos. Thanks for sharing!

Deb said...

That's my kind of cookie. Gorgeous photos.

Katarina said...

Oh, I run out of almond extract! Maybe I could put vanilla? Or rum? Happy Thanksgiving, Sherry!

Anonymous said...

Another super recipe! I can't wait to try them when I start baking for Christmas. I love the way you iced and decorated them too.

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I love simple recipes. They look delicious. Especially with the peppermint.

Eclectically Vintage said...

I'm off to raid my fridge - these cookies have me drooling! My favorites are shortbread and sugar - the two combined would be pure perfection!
Kelly

Unknown said...

Hi Sherry,
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving..Enjoy the season..

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Sherry, These are going on my cookie list! You decorated them beautifully. I am all about making things ahead, especially this year... I have a big house full!

My Dream Canvas said...

These look delicious. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I would love for you to visit me and see the centerpiece at my Thanksgiving table I am visiting you from Savvy Southern Style!

bj said...

They are so pretty...bet they are delicious.

Cynthia said...

A beautiful setting I love the tea cup. These cookies are great! Happy Thanksgiving!

Cynthia

Snap said...

I love almond flavor and add the chocolate and peppermint and I bet these cookies are divine! Lovely! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Sherry,
Your Sand Cookies look very festive decorated in red and peppermint. Great ideas! They sound delicious and no doubt made quite a hit with your family. Thank you for sharing this at my HOME and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!

Blessings,
Sandi

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I'm wishing I had a couple of your sand cookies to have with my tea this afternoon, I like the half dipped effect.
Judith

Sew a Fine Seam said...

Yum - I want some right now!

Chenille Cottage said...

Yummmmmmmy! How I love peppermint and your sand cookies look scrumptious. I'm sure I have gained a few pounds just reading your delicious post!
Happy thanksgiving, my friend,
Carolynn

Unknown said...

Thanks LOTS for hosting...I hope you had a SUPER GREAT Thanksgiving! XO, Aimee

Marigene said...

These yummy looking cookies are going on my list...they will be perfect on a cookie tray for the upcoming holidays. Thanks for sharing.

Zinnia said...

The cakes look yummy out and also festive. Perfect for Christmas! I wish you a nice weekend! Zinnia

Rattlebridge Farm said...

Beautiful photos! The cookies look delicious. Thank you for participatig in Foodie Friday! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.