Description
Discover the ultimate Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies recipe, perfect for holiday baking. These cookies feature a rich, buttery dough blended with vanilla and finely chopped pecans, then rolled in powdered sugar to create a classic snowy finish. Easy to prepare and wonderfully flavorful, they make a delightful treat for any festive occasion or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks of butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and all-purpose flour. Mix thoroughly until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.
- Incorporate Pecans: Fold the finely chopped pecans evenly into the dough, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the mixture.
- Shape the Cookies: Slightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking, then roll the dough into 36 evenly sized balls. Place these on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about an inch apart to allow for baking expansion.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the shaped dough balls in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and just starting to turn a light golden color.
- Cool and Coat: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. Then, place the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each cooled cookie in it until fully coated, giving a signature snowball appearance.
- Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the powdered sugar-coated cookies on a serving platter and enjoy their buttery, nutty flavor perfect for holiday treats or everyday enjoyment.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on your preference.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
- The powdered sugar coating adds a sweet finish, but you can omit it if you prefer less sweetness.
- Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before shaping and baking.
- These cookies make excellent homemade gifts for holidays or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, pecan cookies, powdered sugar cookies, nutty cookies, festive dessert
