When I think of sandtarts, I think of Christmas. Traditionally, this is the only time of year we make them. I see my grandparents, parents, brothers, and me all gathered around the counter, making cookies. In this case, it’s “many hands make light the work” rather than “too many cooks spoil the broth.”
These cookies are thin, crisp, and simple, part of the rhythm of the holidays. They focus on the process as much as the result. You roll, cut, sprinkle, and sneak tastes along the way.
Great-Grandma’s Sandtart Cookies (A Classic Christmas Cookie Recipe)
Ingredients
Instructions
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Remove the dough from the refrigerator before rolling.
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If divided, allow about 1 hour.
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If kept whole, allow 2–4 hours. This makes it easier to roll without cracking or sticking.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F–375°F.
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Liberally flour the rolling surface, the top of the dough, and the rolling pin.
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Roll the dough to about ⅛ inch thick.
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Cut shapes with a cookie cutter and carefully transfer them to a lined or greased cookie sheet.
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Lightly rub the top of each cookie with egg white.
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Sprinkle each cookie with cinnamon and sugar.
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Bake for 7–9 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges.
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Cool completely on a wire rack.
Note
Quick tips
If the dough is too warm, it will stick to the rolling pin and rolling surface; if it’s too cold, it will be stiff. Slightly too cold is better than too warm. Use liberal amounts of flour as needed.
Mix ½ teaspoon of cinnamon with ¼ cup of sugar in a clean spice bottle with a shaker top for easy, even sprinkling.
Cookies are done when the edges are just starting to turn golden.
the dough keeps for more than a week in the refrigerator, so you can bake a few dozen at a time if needed.
Grocery List (By Department)
Dairy
⦁ 3 sticks of butter
⦁ 3 eggs
⦁ 1 egg (for the egg white)
Baking & Pantry
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
Note
These are the cookies that show up year after year — not because they’re trendy, but because they’re familiar. Sandtarts bring people into the kitchen during the holidays. You'll need some patience, but the reward is a pile of cookies that feel like home. If there’s room on your counter during the busy weeks of December, this is a good place to make space
