Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Sand Tarts (Amish Christmas Cookie Recipe)

Sand tarts are one of the most beloved Christmas cookies in Pennsylvania Dutch country, passed down through generations of Amish and Mennonite families. These delicate, buttery cookies have been gracing holiday tables since the 1700s, when German immigrants brought their baking traditions to Pennsylvania. And, true to Amish cooking and baking form, these cookies are simple. And if you are looking for a fat, gooey, chocoaltely type cookie (like I always am), this isn't for you. But it is still a super cookie.

What Are Sand Tarts?

Sand tarts get their name from their delicate, sandy texture that practically melts in your mouth (in a good way, not like sand you accidentally get in your mouth at the beach) Unlike modern cookies that are soft and chewy, these Pennsylvania Dutch cookies are thin, crisp, and incredibly buttery. They're often cut into festive shapes and decorated simply with cinnamon sugar or colored sugar crystals.

The Amish Christmas Cookie Tradition

In Amish households, Christmas cookie baking begins in earnest after Thanksgiving. Sand tarts hold a special place in the Christmas cookie lineup because they're elegant enough for special occasions but simple enough for even young children to help make. Amish cooks often make the dough a day or two ahead, letting it chill overnight before the family gathers to roll, cut, and bake together.

PRO TIP: Do make sure you chill the dough overnight, you will get a better cookie!

"The best sand tarts are rolled paper-thin," one Amish grandmother told me. "You should almost be able to see through them when you hold them up to the light."

The key word is almost. When I have made them I have had a few "oops" moments where I made them too thin you literally could see through them!

And I will add that this largely a Pennsylvania Amish tradition where the old German traditions still hold sway, you won't really see this cookie much in Ohio, Indiana, or other Amish areas.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe comes from a Lancaster County Amish family and represents the traditional approach:

• High butter ratio creates that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture
• Overnight chilling makes the dough easier to roll thin
• Simple flavoring (lemon and vanilla) lets the butter shine
• Thin rolling ensures crispy, delicate cookies

Full Recipe

Delicious Amish Sand Tart Cookies

Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch sand tarts are delicate, paper-thin butter cookies that have been a Christmas tradition in Amish and Mennonite families since the 1700s. These crispy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with simple ingredients and chilled overnight for easy rolling. Decorated with cinnamon sugar and almonds, they're perfect for holiday gatherings and gift-giving.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 hours hrs

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Amish

Ingredients

  

• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ pound butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice (or lemon extract)1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• In large bowl mix all of the ingredients, you can mix by hand or with an electric mixer.
• Chill dough overnight before rolling out.
• Roll as thin as you can.
• Cut out with 2 - 3 inch round cookie cutters and place rounds directly onto a cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375 til edges start to brown. About 8 minutes. Use parchment paper on your cookie sheets for easy removal.