Bursting with buttery richness, nutty crunch, and sweet, golden toffee bits, Toffee Almond Sandies are the kind of cookie that instantly upgrades any cookie tray. This delightful dessert combines melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture with caramelized almonds and irresistible toffee, creating a treat that’s both nostalgic and utterly crave-worthy. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, sharing with friends, or just treating yourself on a cozy afternoon, Toffee Almond Sandies are always a celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These cookies come together with a handful of pantry staples, each playing an important role in the final result. Every ingredient adds a layer of flavor, texture, or subtle aroma that makes Toffee Almond Sandies a standout treat.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives the cookies their iconic crumbly, tender texture and classic buttery flavor.
- Granulated sugar: A touch of sweet crunch and structure comes from this simple addition.
- Powdered sugar: This adds softness and a light melt-in-your-mouth feel to the dough.
- Large egg: The egg binds the dough and ensures the cookies stay tender, not crumbly.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon lifts all the flavors and infuses warmth into every bite.
- All-purpose flour: Makes up the sturdy backbone of the sandies, perfect for shaping and holding up the mix-ins.
- Baking powder: Adds just enough lift to keep things light, not dense.
- Salt: A pinch sharpens and balances the sweetness, highlighting the rich nuts and butter.
- Finely chopped toasted almonds: Bringing a nutty depth and crunch to every bite, toast your almonds for extra aroma.
- Toffee bits: These caramel gems melt into chewy pockets, giving these cookies that unmistakable toffee sweetness.
How to Make Toffee Almond Sandies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure perfectly even cookies. Taking a moment to prep your sheets makes clean up a breeze and helps the sandies bake to golden perfection.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, blend together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat until the mixture is fluffy and pale in color, which helps create that delicate, crisp texture we all love in Toffee Almond Sandies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined. This step ensures the dough comes together seamlessly, and the vanilla adds a lovely aromatic note to your cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick step guarantees even distribution—so every single cookie has that ideal texture and lift.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your butter mixture, mixing gently just until the dough comes together. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as everything is incorporated for the best results.
Step 6: Fold in Almonds and Toffee
Now it’s time for the star players! Gently fold in those finely chopped, toasted almonds and the toffee bits. Each scoop of dough will be full of nutty, caramel goodness—exactly what makes Toffee Almond Sandies unforgettable.
Step 7: Shape and Flatten
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls. Place these about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheets. Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each ball—this creates that signature sandie shape and helps them bake evenly.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The aroma filling your kitchen is a sign you’re close to cookie bliss!
How to Serve Toffee Almond Sandies
Garnishes
For a stunning finish, dust your Toffee Almond Sandies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving. You could even drizzle melted chocolate or caramel for a decadent touch if you’re feeling extra festive.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a piping hot cup of coffee. They also pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream for an impromptu cookie ice cream sandwich or alongside a fresh fruit platter at your next gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few Toffee Almond Sandies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon as a lovely homemade gift. Arrange them on a vintage cake stand for a nostalgic dessert table, or box them up in a pretty tin for a special holiday surprise—these cookies are irresistible however you share them!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep Toffee Almond Sandies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re best enjoyed within five days, but good luck making them last that long!
Freezing
If you’d like to bake ahead, the dough freezes beautifully. Shape the dough balls, lay them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, just add a minute or two to the baking time straight from the freezer.
Reheating
To refresh cookies that have lost a bit of their crunch, simply pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Let them cool before serving—they’ll be just as delightful and crisp as the day you baked them.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes! If you only have salted butter on hand, go ahead and use it—just reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to keep your Toffee Almond Sandies perfectly balanced.
What’s the best way to toast almonds?
Spread chopped almonds evenly on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and fragrant. Let them cool before adding to the dough for the crunchiest sandies.
Can I swap toffee bits with chocolate chips?
Absolutely! If you want a different twist, chocolate chips work well, though you’ll miss that distinctive caramel flavor that gives Toffee Almond Sandies their special charm.
How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help your sandies keep their shape and prevent excessive spreading, especially if your kitchen is warm or your butter was very soft.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
You can substitute a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour—just make sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you love cookies that blend comforting nostalgia with pure indulgence, you have to give Toffee Almond Sandies a spot in your baking line-up. Share them with friends, family, or keep a stash all to yourself—either way, these treats are guaranteed to bring smiles and plenty of sweet, golden joy.
Print
Toffee Almond Sandies Recipe
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with these Toffee Almond Sandies – nutty, buttery shortbread cookies loaded with toasted almonds and sweet toffee bits. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a homemade treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped toasted almonds
- 1 cup toffee bits
Instructions
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in almonds and toffee bits: Fold in the chopped toasted almonds and toffee bits.
- Shape and bake: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls, place on baking sheets, flatten slightly, and bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Notes:
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra crunch, roll dough balls in granulated sugar before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
