Description
Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats featuring a rich buttery flavor and crunchy pecan bites, all coated in a generous layer of powdered sugar for a festive snowy finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a classic, nutty cookie.
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.
- 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 combined. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough is just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar. Place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a thicker, snowy coating.
Notes
- Ensure butter is fully softened for best mixing results.
- Chopping pecans finely helps them blend better into the dough.
- Rolling cookies in powdered sugar twice creates a classic snowball appearance.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
