Pecan Snowball Cookies
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Buttery pecan shortbread balls rolled in powdered sugar, perfect for holiday cookie trays.
- Author: leogrant
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 min
- Yield: 3 dozen 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
- Toast pecans: Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, until fragrant. Let cool completely.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and salt: Beat in vanilla extract and salt.
- Incorporate flour: Gradually add flour, mixing until just combined.
- Add pecans: Stir in the cooled, toasted pecans.
- Chill dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to roll.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Roll in sugar: Once completely cool, roll each cookie generously in additional powdered sugar until fully coated.
Notes
- For best flavor, toast your pecans. This brings out their nutty aroma and taste.
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- These cookies freeze well. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Roll in powdered sugar after thawing if desired.
- For gifting, place cooled, powdered cookies in decorative tins or bags.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg