Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe
These Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delights featuring a tender, buttery dough studded with finely chopped pecans. Rolled generously in powdered sugar, they offer a sweet, snowy coating perfect for festive occasions or an everyday treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup pecans (or walnuts), finely chopped
For Dusting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Flavor and Flour: Add the salt and vanilla extract, then gradually incorporate the flour at low speed until just combined. Stir in the finely chopped pecans by hand to ensure even distribution.
- Shape Cookies: Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, roll the dough into uniform 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring about 2 inches of space between each ball to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms turn lightly golden. Take care to avoid overbaking for a tender texture.
- Initial Cooling and Dusting: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then gently roll them in the 1 cup of powdered sugar while still warm to create a snowy coating.
- Final Cooling and Coating: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again to build a thick, powdery exterior.
Notes
- Use softened butter to ensure easy creaming and a light cookie texture.
- Finely chop the pecans to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without large chunks.
- Rolling cookies twice in powdered sugar creates the classic snowball appearance and enhances sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and add an extra ¼ cup flour to balance the dough.
Keywords: snowball cookies, pecan cookies, buttery cookies, powdered sugar cookies, holiday cookies, nut cookies
Find it online: https://zarameals.com/buttery-pecan-snowball-cookies-recipe/
