Description
Pecan Snowball Cookies are tender, buttery cookies dusted with confectioners’ sugar, perfect for holiday treats or any cozy occasion. These nutty, melt-in-your-mouth delights combine a rich buttery dough with finely chopped pecans, rolled in powdered sugar for that classic snowy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped
For Rolling
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and ½ cup confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour and finely chopped pecans, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the edges are set but the cookies remain pale on top.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before handling.
- Roll in Sugar: While still warm, carefully roll each cookie in the 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar until fully coated. Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Final Coat: Once cooled, roll the cookies again in the confectioners’ sugar for a perfect snowy finish.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the best dough consistency.
- Chop pecans finely to avoid large chunks that interfere with the cookie shape.
- This dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours to enhance flavor and make shaping easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and consider adding extra flour.
Keywords: pecan snowball cookies, holiday cookies, nut cookies, butter cookies, powdered sugar cookies, Christmas cookies