Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are a delightful treat with a tender, crumbly texture and a rich nutty flavor. Coated in powdered sugar, these cookies melt in your mouth and are perfect for holidays or any special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups pecans (minced)
- Powdered sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: Use an electric hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and mix again until combined.
- Step 3: Sift together the flour and salt, then stir the mixture into the butter mixture.
- Step 4: Use a wooden spoon to mix in the minced pecans. The dough will be crumbly, like sand, but should hold together when formed into balls.
- Step 5: Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet; the cookies will not spread in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Step 6: Once cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar and enjoy.
Tips & Variations
- Try using walnuts or almonds instead of pecans for a different nutty flavor.
- For extra aroma, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the dough.
- If the dough feels too crumbly, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping the cookies.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen for longer storage; thaw at room temperature before serving. If they soften, a brief reheat in a low oven can help restore their texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.
Will the cookies spread if I flatten the dough balls before baking?
No, these cookies do not spread much during baking, so shaping them into smooth balls about 1 inch in diameter is best.
PrintButtery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe
These Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delights with a crumbly texture and a rich, buttery flavor. Infused with vanilla and packed with minced pecans, they’re finished with a generous dusting of powdered sugar for a sweet, snowy appearance perfect for holiday treats or any cozy occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 30 cookies (1-inch balls) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups pecans (minced)
Topping
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric hand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour and salt together, then gradually incorporate this into the butter mixture to form a dough.
- Add Pecans: Stir in the minced pecans with a wooden spoon. The dough will have a crumbly, sandy texture but should hold together enough to form balls.
- Shape Cookies: Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Since the cookies do not spread or grow in the oven, shaping is important for final size. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced for baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 25 minutes at 325°F until set and lightly golden.
- Cool and Dust: Once baked and cooled completely, generously dust the cookies with powdered sugar to give them their signature snowy look.
Notes
- The dough is crumbly but workable; handle gently when forming balls.
- No need to grease the baking sheet as the dough has enough butter to prevent sticking.
- Cookies do not spread during baking, so size them exactly as you want them to be.
- For extra nutty flavor, toast the pecans lightly before mincing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Dust with powdered sugar right before serving to keep the snow-like appearance fresh.
Keywords: pecan cookies, snowball cookies, buttery cookies, holiday cookies, powdered sugar cookies, nutty dessert, Christmas cookies
