Sand Dollar Cookie Recipe: Crisp Shortbread Cookies Shaped Like Sand Dollars

Say hello to unique, show-stopping Sand Dollar Cookies ⏳🐚 made with only six simple ingredients. These cookies are light and buttery with a delicate crispness that gently crumbles in your mouth and a fragrant hint of almond. They work beautifully as a standout addition to holiday cookie platters or as a light, beachy treat for warmer weather—no frosting required and completely from scratch.

A plate of round cookies decorated to look like sand dollars, arranged on a blue cloth with seashells and decorative coral nearby.

Easy Sand Dollar Cookies Recipe

These are similar to classic cutout sugar cookies but even easier—and made totally from scratch with no pre-made dough.
Only six ingredients and no frosting are needed, making them quick to prepare yet elegant in presentation.
They’re not overly sweet, making them perfect with morning coffee, afternoon tea, or a light after-dinner treat.
In winter they add a coastal, beachy charm to holiday platters that guests will notice and compliment.
They’re also ideal for Mother’s Day, the Fourth of July, or any time you want a lighter, seasonal cookie.

A stack of round cookies with almond slices arranged in a flower pattern on each, placed on a white surface.

Round sand dollar cookies are arranged spilling from a large seashell, with additional cookies on a plate nearby. Two glasses of milk and sea-themed decor are in the background.

Ingredients in Sand Dollar Sugar Cookies

Butter: Salted or unsalted will both work. If using unsalted butter, add salt to the flour as noted in the recipe card.
Granulated sugar: These cookies use a modest amount of sugar for a balanced, not-too-sweet flavor.
Large egg: Binds the dough and gives the cookies structure.
Almond extract: Adds a fragrant, nutty note. You can substitute or combine with vanilla if you prefer.
All-purpose flour: A good-quality all-purpose flour gives structure; slightly higher-protein flours work well here.
Sliced almonds: Used to create the classic sand dollar “petal” decoration and to hide minor imperfections in the cutouts.
Absent leavening: There’s no baking powder or baking soda—these cookies are meant to stay flat rather than rise, so they resemble sand dollars.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and full directions.

Butter on a plate, an egg, flour, sugar, chopped nuts in a bowl, and a spoon of vanilla extract arranged on a marble countertop.

Round cookies decorated to resemble sand dollars are arranged on a net with seashells and a starfish on a white marble surface.

How To Make Sand Dollar Cookies

Note: The recipe card below includes step-by-step photos and full process details.

Cream the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer) until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. Scrape the bowl as needed.
Add the egg and almond extract and beat until incorporated, about 1 minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl again.
Add the flour (and 1/2 teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter) and mix on low until a smooth dough forms.
Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Chilling firms the dough and makes it easier to roll.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour the countertop and roll the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Cut rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter and place them on the prepared sheets, leaving space between cookies. Re-roll scraps as needed.
Arrange five sliced almonds in the center of each cookie to form the sand dollar “petals.”
Create small oval holes with a plastic straw or a small blade to mimic sand dollar markings, removing the excess dough with a toothpick. These little details don’t need to be perfect—aim for charm, not perfection.
Bake 10–12 minutes, watching closely; cookies are thin and can brown quickly. Baking times vary by oven, so start checking early. For even coloring, bake one sheet at a time on the center rack and rotate halfway through.
Cool on the baking sheet until firm enough to transfer, then finish cooling on a wire rack. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar before serving.

Sand Dollar Cookies

⏳🐚 Unique and show-stopping with only six ingredients — light, buttery, almond-scented cookies with a delicate, crumbly texture. Perfect for holiday platters or a summery, coastal-themed treat.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Servings: 30

Equipment

Stand mixer OR handheld electric mixer
Rolling pin
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter
Plastic straw or small knife for cutouts

Ingredients

12 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature (salted preferred; if using unsalted add 1/2 tsp salt with the flour)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
Sliced almonds, as needed for decoration

Instructions

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.
Beat in the egg and almond extract until incorporated.
Add flour (and salt if using unsalted butter) and mix on low until a smooth dough forms.
Wrap the dough and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cutter.
Place cut rounds on parchment-lined sheets and arrange five almond slices in the center of each round.
Form small oval cutouts with a straw or small knife, removing dough fragments with a toothpick.
Bake about 10–12 minutes or until edges are just golden. Cool on the sheet briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optionally dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar before serving.

Notes

Storage: Store airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Cookies are delicate; freeze the dough shaped into two large balls and thaw to room temperature before rolling, cutting, and baking to avoid breaking baked cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 95 cal, Carbohydrates: 10 g, Protein: 2 g

Nutrition information is approximate.

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