VeganMoFo: Peanut Sandies

Peanut SandiesMom, I’m sorry.  I never told you this before, but I never did like Pecan Sandies.  In an era now sweetly veiled in nostalgia, when corduroys and cowl neck sweaters ruled the junior high fashion world, and when shiny braces glittered on my buck teeth, I’d pull my partially-mashed lunch bag out of my locker and head to the grim, overly bright lunchroom (teeming with tweens and smelling of sour milk and spaghetti sauce).  With hope and trepidation I’d unroll my brown paper lunch bag and peer inside.  When I spied those plastic-wrapped sandies sitting at the bottom, my heart sank.  I was ever hopeful of seeing my favorites, Mystic Mints (R.I.P.), or at least their unadorned cousins, Oreos, looking back at me.   It’s not your fault, mom. It’s mine.  I never told you how I really felt.

Turns out, mom was on to something (but then, that shouldn’t have surprised me).  She was just 30-some-years too early.  Sandies were just too sophisticated for my sugared-out Jolly Rancher and Ho-Hos palate.  Buttery, crumbly, not-to-sweet and perfect snuggled alongside a steaming hot cup of tea.  I made my version using peanut meal and whole wheat pastry flour.  Mom, you’re a genius.

Peanut Sandies
Makes ~36

2 cups peanut meal
2 cups whole wheat flour pastry flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup peanut milk
4 oz. applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup maple sugar
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
~1/2 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375F.

In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut meal, whole wheat pastry flour and salt.  In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients until well combined.  Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.  Mix in chocolate chips, if using.

Form cookie dough into walnut-sized balls and gently press with the flat bottom of a drinking glass that’s been dipped in water.

Bake for ~15 minutes, rotating pans halfway through.  Remove and let cookies cool on the pans for a few minutes before carefully placing them on wire racks to cool completely.

Peanut Meal

Peanut Sandies

VeganMoFo

34 thoughts on “VeganMoFo: Peanut Sandies

  1. Somer

    Is it possible for me to love you even more! Lets just say pecan sandies have ALWAYS been my favorite cookie, but alas, I’m not even sure what’s on that ingredient label, I’m sure it has a kajillion unhealthy ingredients, but these my dear, I could really sink my teeth into!

    Reply
  2. Sarah

    Hah, I hated them as a kid as well. But then, I thought nuts were bland and nasty till I hit adult years. Of course… considering all our ingredients are so much fresher now that might be a reason 😉 As an adult, I love Sandies – just not commercial ones. Love your recipe!

    Reply
  3. trueindigo

    Pecan Sandies, I remember the oily spot they always left from sitting so long on my napkin. It looks like you Peanut Sandies would be a much better snack!

    Reply
  4. Shira

    These look great and I am with Lorna – I’ve never heard of a sandie! (Weird I know!) – I love the look of these though – perfect cookies!

    Reply
  5. gigiveganville

    My mom never put pecan sandies in my lunch, but I really liked them. Come to think of it I usually went out for lunch when I was kid. These look great. Anything shortbread like and I’m there 😉

    Reply
  6. tinykitchenstories

    What a lovely note to your mom! We always got Zingers, which I loved for a few reasons: One, their mascots were Peanuts characters and two, you could peel the frosting off the top and eat it last. Now I wouldn’t touch one with a bargepole, if they even exist! Your cookies look delish…

    Reply
  7. Choc Chip Uru

    I wish I could have made these a part of my childhood but never too late to start 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
  8. narf77

    No idea what a sandie is let alone a pecan or peanut one so this little biscuit (yeh folks… that’s what we call them!) is going to be given a test run in Brunhilda my overly eager wood burning stove. They look “short” as in shortbready short and the use of peanut milk makes them enticing. The food chemist in me wants to make these just to see how they taste and I don’t really like sweet things :). I think I was all baked out of sweet stuff by my mum. Much like smoking (that both my parents embraced with both hands) it put me off them for life. Familiarity breeds comtempt? I wouldn’t say active contempt but sweet isn’t my thang 😉 Cheers for making me think about giving Steve something sweet to go with his coffee 🙂

    Reply
    1. An Unrefined Vegan

      Yes, that’s exactly right: shortbready. But without the loads of butter. I wish I lacked a sweet tooth, though happily it rages much less than it did even just a few years back. I say this after just finishing up a decadent chocolate cupcake…oh dear.

      Reply
      1. narf77

        Sweet things tend to destroy the top half…savoury things…tend to make it hard to get through doors! 😉

  9. erika

    Omg YES! These sound so awesome!! I love traditional sandies, but I love peanuts and peanut butter more. And I love the sound of shortbready cookies minus all the butter!!! You are awesome!! Except what the heck is peanut milk? Can I make it?

    Reply
      1. erika

        Oh gahh I hate it when I skim things too fast and post questions that have answer right.there. Sorry! But awesome tutorial, thanks 🙂

  10. Kristy

    I don’t think I’ve ever had sandies of any sort. This has got to change because those cookies look so perfect to have right alongside my coffee right now!

    Reply
  11. bar

    omg…omg. These look so freaking good. And right when I thought, where in the world do I get peanut meal, you go and link up. So easy! I really want to try making my own nut milk…and meal now.

    Reply
      1. An Unrefined Vegan

        Yeah – probably. I’ve seen it at Whole Foods. I’m a snob and get it mail order from a producer near my home town in Ohio – loyalty, you know. You can sub regular sugar.

  12. Gabby @ the veggie nook

    You have inspired me to use the peanut meal that has been languishing in my pantry for far too long! These look amazing! I have never had a pecan sandy, but I imagine I’d like your version better!

    Reply
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