Grandmother’s Butterfingers (Gluten Free)
These are my Grandmother’s Butterfingers – delicious pecan shortbread cookies dipped in powdered sugar. This is my gluten free version of her original recipe.
Have you ever heard of Butterfingers? Not the candy bar but the cookie. My grandmother, who was from Alabama, used to make them at Christmas time. They are made with butter, sugar, flour and pecans. Then dipped in powdered sugar. They are so, so good and remind me of the holidays. I did a search on the internet, just out of curiosity, and can’t seem to find any other Butterfinger recipes out there. I would love to hear from you if you are familiar with these special little treats.
This year I made them for Thanksgiving. Since we were spending turkey day with my mom, I had to alter the recipe for her since she can’t have gluten. Instead of 2 cups of all-purpose flour, I used 2 cups gluten free all purpose baking flour and 1/4 teaspoon Xanthan Gum (both by Bob’s Red Mill). The gluten free version of Grandmother’s Butterfingers were surprisingly good. But I have to admit that they weren’t as good as the original recipe. If you can have gluten, you could use all purpose flour and omit the xanthan gum.
Start by chopping up your pecans. To get a very fine chop, I used this antique nut chopper. This one belonged to my great aunt Corinne who lived across the street from my grandparents. You can also use a knife and cutting board. You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped pecans.
Cream your sugar and butter together. Then add in the vanilla, a little bit of water, flour, nuts, xanthan gum and salt. Mix until a dough forms. By hand, knead in 1/4 of powdered sugar.
Form the dough into finger shaped cookies and dip in powdered sugar.
Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F. for 14-16 minutes or until slightly golden on edges.
They won’t be brown on top and that is fine. They will be soft but firm up as they cool. Let them cool for 10 minutes, then dip in powdered sugar again.
Holly the elf is obviously super excited about tasting these gems.
These little cookies just taste like Christmas to me. They’re buttery and sweet with a delicate, nutty crunch. The elves will be sure to tell Santa about Grandmother’s Butterfingers.
Grandmother’s Butterfingers (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 cups gluten free all purpose baking flour
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups pecans, finely chopped
- 1 cup powdered sugar, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium for 3 minutes. Scrape bowl. Add vanilla and water. Mix until combined. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, xanthan gum, salt and pecans. Turn mixer up to medium and mix just until a dough forms. By hand, knead in 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar.
- Shape 1-inch pieces of dough into finger shaped cookies. Place the remaining 3/4 cup of powdered sugar in a small bowl. Dip cookies in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 14-16 minutes or until slightly golden brown around the edges.
- Let cool for 10 minutes. Dip in sugar again. Serve warm or store in airtight container for up to a week.
I haven’t tried the recipe yet, but I don’t think my Grandmother knew what Xantham Gum is.
Can these be made with Bobs 1:1 GF flour since it has xanthum gum in it?
Thank you
Hi Cheryl, Yes, that will work just fine.
I just came across this recipes, my Aunt used to make them when I was little. So I’m introducing this to my girls now! I love them!! Thanks for taking the time to write it up!
Hi Crystal, Yay! So glad you love the recipe. Enjoy!
My mom made these (Chicago) as part of her repertoire of Christmas cookies. They almost melted in your mouth.
Jill – I love hearing that! My grandmother was in Alabama and your mom in Chicago. Very cool! Butterfinger cookies are the best!
In Wisconsin they are know as Pecan fingers. Glad to find a gluten-free version of this family favorite!
My Grandmother from NC made these too. Called them Nutty Fingers. She also rolled them while they were warm and again when cooled. Stored them in layers of powdered sugar. When she would come for Christmas to our house in Charleston SC, there was a suitcase just for her treats. A pound cake, three gallon containers of Nutty Fingers, and container of 5lbs of Million Dollar fudge. Mom always tried to put one of the gallon jars of Nutty Fingers away to pull out for Easter. They store wonderfully if kept in an airtight container. Sweet memories!
What wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
My grandmother made them also in California – only 4 ingredients, butter, flour, powdered sugar and chopped walnuts. Rolled them in powdered sugar and cinnamon while hot and also when cool. Just made them today!!!
In my cookbook, Butterfingers are called Pecan Sandies! Same ingredients.