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Pecan Snowball Cookies

Pecan Snowball Cookies

Pecan Snowball Cookies are tender, buttery cookies rich with toasted pecans and finished with a sweet powdered sugar coating. These melt-in-your-mouth treats offer a perfect balance of nutty crunch and soft texture, ideal for holidays, special gatherings, or casual snacks. Easy to make with common pantry ingredients, they deliver a classic, elegant flavor everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

  1. Toast the Pecans: Toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant to maximize flavor and crunch.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy, creating a tender and buttery base for the cookies.
  3. Add Vanilla: Mix in vanilla extract to infuse the dough with warmth and enhance overall flavor.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
  5. Fold in Pecans: Gently fold the toasted pecans into the dough to ensure even distribution of nutty crunch in every cookie.
  6. Form and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cookies are set but not browned.
  7. Powdered Sugar Finish: While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Once cooled, roll them again for the classic snowy coating and extra sweetness.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for smooth creaming and tender cookies.
  • Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies light and crumbly.
  • Double dusting with powdered sugar gives the signature snowball look and added sweetness.
  • Use fresh toasted pecans for best flavor; avoid stale pre-packaged nuts.
  • If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes to make shaping easier.

Nutrition

Keywords: pecan snowball cookies, nutty cookies, powdered sugar cookies, holiday cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, gluten-free snowballs