Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe
Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats featuring a tender, buttery dough studded with finely chopped pecans. These cookies are baked to a golden perfection and generously coated with powdered sugar, giving them a snowy, festive appearance perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet and nutty delight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (120 g) finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Cream the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and salt until just combined. Gently fold in the finely chopped pecans. The dough will be soft but should not be sticky. If it feels too soft to handle, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes to firm up.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they have space to bake evenly.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 13–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set.
- Sugar Coat: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly. Allow the cookies to cool completely, then roll them once more in powdered sugar for a snowy, festive finish.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter for easy creaming with sugar.
- If the dough is too soft, chilling helps prevent spreading and makes shaping easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a nut-free version, substitute pecans with additional flour or seeds.
- These cookies freeze well; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Keywords: snowball cookies, pecan cookies, buttery cookies, holiday cookies, nutty cookies, powdered sugar cookies
