Homemade Lacey cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Total Time: 30–40 minutes
Servings: About 24 cookies
Difficulty Level: Easy
Cuisine: American-European Fusion
Course: Dessert | Cookie
Dietary Info: Vegetarian | Can be Gluten-Free (with substitution)
Introduction
Lacey Cookies are delicate, crispy, and caramelized confections that melt in your mouth with every bite. Also known as Florentine cookies, these thin wafer-like treats are made from a simple mix of butter, sugar, and finely chopped nuts—typically almonds or pecans. Their signature lacy appearance comes from the way the batter spreads and bubbles in the oven, creating a golden, webbed texture that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
These cookies are often sandwiched with chocolate, but they’re equally delicious served solo with tea, coffee, or crumbled over ice cream. If you love a crispy edge and buttery bite, you’ll adore these elegant treats.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
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½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter
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⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed
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1 tbsp light corn syrup or honey
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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¼ tsp salt
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
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¾ cup finely chopped almonds or pecans
Optional Filling:
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½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (for sandwiching)
Preparation Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats (essential—these cookies stick without it!).
2. Make the Batter
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In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the brown sugar and corn syrup (or honey), stirring until the sugar dissolves—about 2–3 minutes.
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
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Mix in the flour until smooth.
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Fold in the finely chopped nuts until fully incorporated.
3. Scoop the Cookies
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Drop ½ teaspoon of batter per cookie onto the baking sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart (they spread a lot).
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Do not flatten them; they’ll spread on their own.
4. Bake
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Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown and bubbling.
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Keep a close eye—the difference between perfect and burnt is about 30 seconds.
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Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on the parchment before removing. They firm up as they cool.
5. Optional: Add Chocolate Filling
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Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or a double boiler until smooth.
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Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on the flat side of one cookie and sandwich it with another.
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Let the chocolate set before serving (you can refrigerate for faster results).
Tips for Success
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Use parchment or silicone mats. These cookies are sticky and delicate—nonstick is a must.
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Keep your scoops small. A little batter goes a long way.
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Don’t overbake. They should be golden, not dark brown.
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Let them cool completely. They’ll be soft out of the oven and harden as they cool.
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Chop nuts finely. Large chunks make spreading uneven.
Flavor Variations
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Nut-Free: Try using unsweetened coconut flakes or finely ground oats.
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Spiced: Add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the batter.
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Chocolate Drizzle: Skip the sandwiching and just drizzle chocolate on top.
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Dipped Edges: Dip half of each cookie in chocolate for an elegant look.
Serving Suggestions
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Serve on a dessert tray with tea, coffee, or hot cocoa.
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Crumble over vanilla or coffee ice cream.
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Package in cellophane bags as edible gifts during the holidays.
Storage
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
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To keep crisp, add a piece of parchment between each cookie.
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Sandwich cookies with chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie, without chocolate filling)
(Approximate values)
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Calories: 75
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Fat: 5 g
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Carbohydrates: 7 g
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Sugar: 5 g
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Protein: 1 g
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Fiber: 0.5 g
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Sodium: 30 mg
Conclusion
Homemade Lacey Cookies are the perfect combination of simplicity and elegance. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a party, or just treating yourself, these buttery crisps will leave a lasting impression. Their unique appearance and satisfying crunch make them an instant favorite—especially when paired with a bit of chocolate.
Once you try them, you might never go back to store-bought again!