Description
These Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pecan Snowball Cookies are delicate, buttery treats coated with powdered sugar that perfectly balance a tender crumb with a nutty crunch. Easy to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a classic, melt-away cookie, these snowballs deliver a delightful vanilla and pecan flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract thoroughly. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, stirring until a smooth dough is formed.
- Incorporate Pecans: Gently fold the finely chopped pecans into the dough, making sure they are evenly distributed without overworking the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Initial Cooling and Rolling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they firm up slightly, then roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar for an initial coating.
- Final Rolling: Once the cookies have fully cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve a signature snowy appearance and a sweet finish.
Notes
- Use finely chopped pecans for a better texture and even distribution in the cookies.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar both warm and cooled helps the sugar adhere well and enhances the characteristic snowball look.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and delicate texture.
- This recipe yields about 30 cookies, perfect for sharing or holiday gifting.
