Description
Delightfully buttery and nutty Pecan Snowball Cookies are a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat coated in powdered sugar. These classic cookies combine finely chopped pecans with a rich dough flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, perfect for holiday baking or any cozy occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups All purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Pecans (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Almond extract
- 1/2 cup Powdered sugar (and more for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Prepare Pecans: Chop the pecans finely so they incorporate well into the dough and create a nice texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, finely chopped pecans, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Flavorings: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, beat the room temperature butter with vanilla extract, almond extract, and powdered sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
- Combine Mixtures: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture in half-cup increments, mixing until a cohesive, dough-like consistency is formed.
- Shape Cookies: Use a 1-inch cookie scoop to portion out dough, then roll each portion between your hands to form smooth, even balls.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them about 1/2 to 1 inch apart since they will not spread much during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the cookies remain pale.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool for about 5 minutes until they can be handled without breaking.
- First Sugar Coating: Roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly.
- Final Cooling and Coating: Place coated cookies on a cooling rack to cool completely, then roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve the signature snowball appearance.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
- Chopping pecans finely helps distribute their flavor and texture evenly throughout the cookies.
- These cookies do not spread much, so spacing on the cookie sheet can be closer.
- Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar ensures a nice snowy coating that sticks well.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay fresh for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
