Description
Pecan snowball cookies drift like delicate winter whispers, melting with rich, nutty charm. Powdered sugar clouds envelop these classic holiday treats, promising a sweet escape you’ll savor with each tender, crumbly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1 cup butter (softened)
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating:
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
- In a stand mixer, whip butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, creating a light base for the cookies.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually incorporate salt, vanilla extract, flour, and finely chopped pecans, mixing until the ingredients are thoroughly integrated and form a cohesive dough.
- Gently form the dough into compact 1-inch spheres, placing them with ample spacing on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 11 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve a delicate golden-brown bottom without overcooking the tops.
- After removing from the oven, allow cookies to cool momentarily while preparing a large container filled with powdered sugar for coating.
- Carefully transfer 3-4 warm cookies at a time into the powdered sugar, gently rotating to ensure complete coverage, then extract with a fork, shaking off excess sugar.
- Place the sugar-dusted cookies on cooling racks, allowing them to reach room temperature completely.
- Once cooled, perform a final roll in powdered sugar to create an additional layer of sweet, delicate coverage, enhancing both appearance and taste.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smoother mixing and easier dough formation.
- Use finely chopped pecans to prevent cookie crumbling and create uniform texture throughout.
- Allow cookies to cool slightly before first sugar coating to help powdered sugar adhere better without melting.
- Try different nuts like almonds or walnuts for unique flavor variations while maintaining classic snowball cookie structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg