Crispy Sand Tart Cookie With Cinnamon

Sand tarts are thin, crispy butter cookies that are hard to resist. Eat one and you may quickly find yourself munching more than expected. They're a holiday tradition in many families and this recipe makes a few dozen, so there's plenty to share.

These cookies are rolled out and cut into shapes using your favorite cookie cutters. If you use a simple round cookie cutter, you'll notice that they look just like sand dollars, which is how they supposedly got their name.

While sand tarts are as easy as sugar cookies, there is one trick that sets them apart. The key to a great sand tart is to roll the cold dough very thin, right around 1/8-inch thick. This also makes them easier to burn, so watch carefully and pull them out of the oven as soon as they're lightly golden brown.

Before the cookies are baked, you can adorn them with delicious toppings. Almonds and pecans are a great choice, but you can skip the nuts if you like (or have allergies). Don't, however, skip the egg white! It's what gives these little morsels their crispness. The cinnamon sugar adds holiday flavor and makes them perfect for winter baking.