Description
Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats featuring a buttery dough loaded with finely chopped pecans. Rolled generously in powdered sugar, these classic cookies are perfect for festive occasions or a comforting sweet snack. With a crisp exterior and a tender, nutty interior, they are easy to make and delightfully satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough just comes together. Gently fold in the finely chopped pecans to distribute evenly.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls with your hands, ensuring they are uniform in size for even baking. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow space for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until the bottoms are a light golden color. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll the cookies again in powdered sugar for a thicker, snowball-like coating that enhances their classic look and taste.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to achieve a smooth and fluffy dough.
- Chop pecans finely to ensure even texture and to prevent large chunks in the cookies.
- Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar creates the signature snowball appearance and adds an extra layer of sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans and replace them with an equal amount of extra flour or rolled oats.
