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Toffee Almond Sandies (Cookie Contest Winner)
Buttery, sweet almond sandies studded with toffee bits and crunchy almonds— humble in appearance but wonderfully good.
A huge thank you to all who participated in my Le Creuset Cookie Contest! I received hundreds of wonderful and cherished family recipes, and the ones I tried were all delicious. To pick a winner, I packed up the cookies and brought them to a dinner party of twelve close friends. For dessert, we did a cookie tasting, which—in addition to being great fun—seemed like the fairest way to pick a winner. These toffee almond sandies, submitted by Kelly from Virginia, were the favorite, which was surprising because the others looked far more interesting. But that’s what I love about these cookies: they look plain but when you bite into them, you discover a buttery and sweet shortbread studded with melted toffee bits and crunchy almonds—they’re just wonderfully good. They’re also incredibly easy to make and keep well, making them—in my mind, at least—the perfect holiday cookie. Congrats to Kelly and thanks, everyone, for sharing your wonderful recipes!
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Toffee Almond Sandies
Buttery, sweet almond sandies studded with toffee bits and crunchy almonds— humble in appearance but wonderfully good.
Ingredients
- 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling the cookies
- 1 cup Confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups chopped almonds
- 6 ounces (or 1 heaping cup) English toffee bits
Instructions
- Set racks in middle of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.
- In the bowl of a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter, granulated sugar and Confectioners’ sugar until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl with spatula, then add oil, eggs and almond extract; mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix slowly to combine. Stir in almonds and toffee bits.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar, then place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and flatten with a fork. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through cooking, for 14-17 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The Cookie Dough can be Frozen for up to 3 Months: Roll the dough into balls, let set on a baking sheet in the freezer, then place in a sealable bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer. (Allow 1 to 2 minutes longer in the oven.) To Freeze After Baking: Let the cookies cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the cookies from the container and let them come to room temperature.
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I followed this recipe exactly and baked them for 14 minutes, rotating once halfway through, and I put them in a airtight container right when they cooled. The cookies came out very hard and crunchy. A disappointment. I think, for some ovens, these need to be slightly under baked, perhaps taken out at 12 minutes. That might do the trick for soft cookies. The taste was pretty good–good enough for me to try again–but I didn’t think they were the yummiest cookies I’ve ever had, like some readers said. The oil is a bit confusing to me. Perhaps it’s needed for the texture but it doesn’t do anything for the flavor.
My daughter is a nurse working on the frontlines. I wanted to make some special treat for her and her coworkers. I made these amazing cookies and my daughter proudly shared them with these brave people. These cookies absolutely deserved the first place prize. So much flavor and the texture is so light and crisp. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe which made some special people happy.
💗 Please thank your daughter for everything she and her co-workers do!
Hi Jenn
I’m really looking forward to making this recipe. I was wondering how chopped the almond pieces need to be. Also, would reg score bar toffee bits work or is English toffee a must?
Thanks so much!
Hi Jennifer, do you want to chop the almonds pretty finely but not so much so that they are crumbs. And yes, Skor toffee bits will work just fine. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks Jenn! Just one more question. What type of whole wheat flour did you use? For bread or pastry? Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Hi Jennifer, I use this whole wheat flour. Happy holidays and hope you enjoy the cookies!
Is the metric for the chopped almonds correct? It comes to only one scant measuring cup of chopped almonds per my scale and the non- metric measure is for 2 cups?
No — you’re correct! It’s actually more like 240 g. I apologize for the confusion and appreciate you pointing it out!!
I love all of your recipes! My husband and I have a dairy allergy. Could I substitute unsalted stick margarine for the butter?
I haven’t tried this with margarine, so I can’t say from experience, but I think it should work. Please LMK how they turn out if you try it!
Made these today and they are delicious
Wondering if they can be mailed without breaking.
Glad you like them! They’re fairly sturdy, so as long as you pack them very carefully, I think you could get away with it. Hope your recipient enjoys!
I now have a new favorite cookie! Have had a positive experience with other recipes here but this is my favorite.
This is my all time favorite cookie recipe. I make it for special occassions, and when I want to wow the crowd.
I make my own almond roca and use that in place of purchased toffee… thanks for sharing this amazing cookie!!!
Going to freeze the dough for two weeks. So, when should I roll the balls in sugar ( before I freeze, when I take out of freezer)? And if after they are frozen, will the sugar stick to the frozen balls?
Thx!
Hi Kris, You can go either way, but I’d probably roll them in sugar before freezing them. Hope you enjoy!
Another winner! Toffee and almonds you can’t go wrong! It’s almost like a sweet shortbread cookie. Soooo delicious. I can see why it won!
Can I use vegetable oil instead of butter? PS – I really appreciate your quick responses to my questions.
Unfortunately that won’t work here – sorry!
These cookies are absolutely delicious! I could only find heath bits with chocolate so I used those and I also had some turbinado sugar so I rolled them balls in that instead of regular sugar. My entire family loves these cookies and they may now be #1 in the cookie list! Thank you!
Hi Jen,
I made these cookies last night and the batter was delicious, but the bottom of the cookies burned in the oven every time. I tried with and without parchment paper, I tried reducing the cook time to 12 minutes and I even tried reducing the oven temperature to 325, but they were still burning. Do you know what I did wrong?
Thanks,
Ellen
Hi Ellen, Are you by chance using very dark pans?
Did you use white whole wheat flour in this recipe?
Lovely and delicious. Deceptively simple…the flavor is layered and complex, but these are so easy to make! Instead of using a fork to press into them (such a peanut butter cookie signature, I wanted to distinguish these from those), I took out my mom’s vintage potato masher. It makes a waffle-shape indentation, unusual and pretty!
Great idea!
There are no words to describe how delicious these cookies are. I made them at Christmas for family, friends and business associates and needless to say they were a big hit. The recipe makes 9 dozen and I followed it exactly. I used a 1” scoop which worked out perfect and I was done in no time at all. This is my new go to cookie.
These cookies were the hit of my 2019 Christmas cookie tray, they were the first ones to go everywhere I took them! They are addictive!
Awesome recipe received with lots of “yums and oooohs”! Thank god the recipe makes a lot so now I have plenty of scooped balls in my freezer, ready to bake at a moments notice. I did, however, switch out the almonds for pecans and vanilla extract for the almond extract with excellent results( my bad for not checking my nut inventory before starting to bake….)As a former professional recipe developer/tester, I truly appreciate Jenn’s well- written and thorough recipes….I’ve yet to encounter a dud on her website!! Hurray for Jenn!!
Melt in your mouth wonderful! This is a keeper! So happy to find a good large-batch, easy, cookie recipe!
I made these yesterday for a cookie exchange, and they turned out great! Unlike a couple other reviews I read, I didn’t find them greasy or oily at all. Thank you for another great recipe, Jenn!
Delicious! This recipe will be part of my annual Christmas baking from now on.
I didn’t love this cookie despite really wanting to! I found it too greasy. The flavor was ok, but texture just a bit too “sandy” for my taste.
You think you could substitute macadamia nuts for almonds and vanilla flavoring instead of almond flavor? I’m not crazy about almonds and saw what I had here at the house!
Sure, Staci. I would use 2.5 teaspoons extract if using vanilla (almond extract is very strong).
I’ve made these cookies 3 times already this holiday season. Another reader suggested a 1/2 Tablespoon measure and that also worked for me. For this size, 14 min. in the oven was just right. Tried both turbinado and granulated sugar for rolling–preferred the granulated. The rolled balls freeze great. Unassuming in appearance but great texture and taste!
Hi, Jenn!
Are you using blanched almonds in these? Also, are you toasting them, and how finely are they chopped?
Hi Terri, Yes, I’m using blanched almonds and I don’t toast them for this recipe but you can if you’d like. (And I coarsely chop them.) Hope you enjoy!
I understand why this was a contest winner! They are a huge hit!
Very good cookies! Thank you for the recipe!
I made these cookies and used a tablespoon scoop; did not roll them into balls, but did sprinkle the top with demara sugar prior to pressing with the fork. I used silpat liners and was able to fit 9 on each sheet. Used a convection oven at 350 for 13 minutes. Ended up with 72 divine cookies! This is absolutely a keeper recipe!
Amazing recipe! Definitely the hit of my 2018 Xmas baking.
Made these gems with all purpose flour only (didn’t have any whole wheat)… also used an 1/8 cup of light brown sugar in place of 1/8 cup of the granulated sugar. Also dusted the tops with powdered sugar for a little texture differential…
These cookies were great!
For those complaining that they were too hard, I don’t think you understand what a SANDY is supposed to be like…. it’s supposed to be kinda brittle and have a “sandy” texture in your mouth.
Cookies are light and delicious! Next time I’ll add a little more toffee, as I really like toffee!
Stupid questioion. But where can one purchase toffee bits? I live near Trader Joes, Giant Supermarket, Shoprite, Acme and Whole Foods, if that helps. Thank you.
Hi Ulana, I am always able to find them at Giant around holiday time.
I purchase bagged Heath English Toffee Bits in the baking aisle at Publix grocery store. It is located near the chocolate chips and other baking items. The bag holds 8 oz. I use the entire bag and therefore cut back a little bit on the almonds to keep the balance. I love these cookies. They are a BIG hit!
I made these for Christmas gifts. The recipe makes a lot which is good because I ate half of them. They have a tender crumb and a great flavor. I didn’t change a thing. They are perfect!
I made these as written and thought they were good but not sure I would make them again as a favorite…
These are delicious. I do wish I would’ve taken note that the recipe makes 9 dozen! Although, maybe not…I now have this fantastic cookie dough in the freezer for future yumminess. Seriously, I loved this cookie. Thank you!
Hi,
I only have a hand mixer and was wondering if you have an alternative technique to the suggested paddle attachment of the electric mixer?
Thanks.
Hi Joel, A hand mixer is fine. Enjoy!
Hi Jenn. I love this recipe. I’ve made it before, but only put one baking sheet in at a time. I don’t quite understand what you mean by rotating baking sheets. Do I put one on the bottom shelf and middle shelf and then rotate them halfway through? I would like to try this if this is correct, as it would speed up the baking process. Thanks!
Hi Minnie, Yes, you’re correct that you would switch the baking sheets between the two racks. When you do that, I’d also recommend turning it 180 degrees so that the back side of the pans are now facing you. Hope that clarifies!
can dough be refrigerated overnight and then cookies baked the next morning? i love everything i have tried of yours. Seriously.. you are amazing. Thank you!
Glad you like the recipes! 🙂
Yes, you can refrigerate the cookie dough overnight. Enjoy!
Help! I’m not a baker. 1″ balls. What would that be in teaspoons? Thanks!
Every recipe, non treat, I have used from your website is 5 stars. Some of the best dishes to ever come out of my kitchen!
So glad you like the recipes, Renee! 🙂 I’d estimate that you’d need about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough to create 1 inch balls. Hope you enjoy the cookies!
Perfection! It’s a keeper recipe. Using the food processor to chop the slivered almonds I had purchased made it easy. I followed the recipe exactly as written. They were easy to make and will be a great addition to my Christmas cookie and candy trays I give this Christmas. What is there not to love with a combination of almonds, toffee and butter?
Do you need to use wheat flour? Could more white be substituted? What exactly does the wheat flour do? Flavor? Consistency?
Hi Ruby, the whole wheat flour impacts the consistency of the cookies a bit, but you can definitely use all all-purpose flour if you’d prefer. Hope you enjoy!
What advice would you give about freezing cookies that are baked? We just did a bake sale and 2 days of being on your feet 8am to midnight is just too hard on me anymore. Can all cookies be frozen? For how long?
Hi Barbara, while it really depends on the cookie recipe (as one size doesn’t fit all), here are some general guidelines: Cookie dough can often be frozen for up to 3 months: Roll the dough into balls, let set on a baking sheet in the freezer, then place in a sealable bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer. (Allow 1 to 2 minutes longer in the oven.) To freeze them after baking, let the cookies cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the cookies from the container and let them come to room temperature. Hope that helps!
Yum! Everyone thought they were pecan sandies at first but then loved the almond brittle twist. Another great recipe Jenn!
Delicious!!
Jenn- have you ever tried any of the variations mentioned in many of the reviews, ie: substituting pecans and vanilla extract, dipping in chocolate, rolling in nuts, etc.? Just trying to see if the original recipe was made even better for a cookie contest I’m attending next week.
I can’t say that I have, Beth – sorry! Good luck with the cookie contest. 🙂