Description
Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are classic melt-in-your-mouth treats with a rich buttery flavor, studded with finely chopped pecans and coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. These cookies are perfect for holidays or any cozy gathering, delivering a delightful crunch with a soft, crumbly texture.
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 sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, stirring until just combined. Fold in the finely chopped pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls for uniform size, placing them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms turn a light golden brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on it for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before handling.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create the first coating. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again to add a thicker, signature snowball coating.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the cookies.
- Be sure not to overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Rolling cookies while warm allows the sugar to stick better.
- Ensure nuts are finely chopped so they incorporate well into the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
