Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Melt-in-your-mouth texture: These cookies are irresistibly soft and buttery.

• Nutty flavor: Pecans add a delightful crunch and richness to the dough.

• Perfect for the holidays: Their snowy powdered sugar coating makes them ideal for holiday celebrations and gift-giving.

• Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients, these cookies come together quickly.

• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead, making them a convenient holiday treat.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough is just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans.

3. Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

5. Coat in Powdered Sugar: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar. Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a thick, snowy coating.

Servings and Timing

• Yield: About 24 cookies

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Cooling Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

• Nut Options: Substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.

• Flavored Sugar: For an extra touch, add a little cinnamon or vanilla powder to the powdered sugar for rolling.

• Chocolate Coating: For a decadent twist, drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate after the second sugar coating.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

• Freezing: Freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container.

• Reheating: These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but you can gently warm them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds if you prefer them warm.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

Can I use a different type of nut?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds are great alternatives if you don’t have pecans on hand.

How do I get the powdered sugar to stick?

Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm to help the sugar adhere. For a thicker coating, roll the cookies a second time once they are completely cooled.

How should I store these cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days, or freeze them for longer storage.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

It’s best to use unsalted butter for this recipe to control the salt content. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.

Conclusion

These Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are the ultimate sweet, nutty treat that melts in your mouth. With their delicate texture and festive snowball coating, they’re perfect for the holidays, but delicious any time you need a comforting cookie. Whip up a batch to share or keep them all to yourself—they’re sure to be a hit!

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

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• Author: Chef Sara
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth, buttery treats with a rich, nutty flavor and a festive snowy coating. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or any time you crave a classic, tender cookie!

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Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

¼ tsp salt

1 cup finely chopped pecans

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Instructions

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

• Make the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough is just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans.

• Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

• Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

• Coat in Powdered Sugar: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar. Place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a thicker, snowy coating.

Notes

Make-Ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nut Options: Substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Holiday Treat
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American, European-Inspired