Description
Pecan Snowball Cookies are tender, buttery, and nutty cookies coated generously in powdered sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Perfect for holidays, cozy afternoons, or anytime you crave a delicate sweet treat with a delightful crunch of toasted pecans.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (divided)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans (lightly toasted)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Measure all ingredients precisely. Finely chop pecans but keep texture for crunch. Soften butter to room temperature for smooth dough.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter with half of the powdered sugar until light and fluffy, creating the tender base for your cookies.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and chopped pecans to ensure even nut distribution.
- Mix dry ingredients into butter: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the creamed butter and sugar, adding vanilla extract as you combine. The dough should be soft and not sticky.
- Shape the cookies: Roll small portions of dough into 1-inch balls. Place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet to allow proper spreading.
- Bake until golden: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes until edges just start to turn golden, maintaining a light crumbly texture.
- Dust with powdered sugar: Let the cookies cool slightly, then roll them in the remaining powdered sugar while still warm for the signature snowy coating and sweetness.
Notes
- Lightly toast pecans beforehand to enhance flavor and crunch.
- Use softened butter, not melted, for the correct cookie texture.
- Do not overbake; remove when edges start to turn golden to keep cookies tender.
- If dough feels too soft, chill for 30 minutes before rolling.
- Be generous with the powdered sugar coating for the classic melt-on-your-tongue effect.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: pecan snowball cookies, snowball cookies, pecan cookies, buttery cookies, holiday cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies
