Description

These Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat perfect for holiday seasons or any cozy occasion. Made with finely chopped pecans, rich butter, and dusted generously with powdered sugar, they offer a delightful combination of nutty flavor and sweet, snowy appearance that makes them a timeless classic.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup pecans (or walnuts), finely chopped

For Dusting:

1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer equipped with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Add ¼ teaspoon salt and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Gradually add 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour on low speed, mixing just until combined. Then gently fold in the finely chopped pecans by hand to evenly distribute them without overworking the dough.
Shape Cookies: Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for slight spreading.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes or until the bottoms turn lightly golden, but avoid overbaking to keep the cookies tender.
Initial Cooling and Dusting: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. While still warm, gently roll each cookie in the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar to start the snowy coating.
Final Cooling and Dusting: Transfer the sugared cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, roll them in powdered sugar again to create a thick, snowy outer layer.
Serve: Arrange the cookies for serving and enjoy these classic buttery pecan delights with your favorite beverage.

Notes

For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with seeds like sunflower seeds.
For best texture, do not overbake; cookies should remain soft inside.
Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Chilling the dough before baking can help maintain the shape if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, snowball cookies, pecan cookies, holiday cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, nutty cookies