Description

Delightfully buttery and nutty, Pecan Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats coated in powdered sugar. These classic holiday cookies combine finely chopped pecans with a rich dough flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, baked to tender perfection and dusted generously with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ¼ cups All purpose flour
1/2 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Pecans (finely chopped)
1/2 cup Powdered sugar (plus more for dusting)

Wet Ingredients

1 cup Unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp Almond extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
Chop the pecans. Finely chop the pecans into small pieces for even incorporation in the dough.
Combine dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, finely chopped pecans, and salt until well mixed.
Cream butter and extracts with sugar. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Mix in flour mixture. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, about half a cup at a time, mixing until the dough forms and is evenly combined.
Form cookie balls. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, portion the dough into 1-inch balls and shape each ball evenly by rolling gently between your hands.
Prepare baking sheet. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and arrange the dough balls spaced about 1/2 to 1 inch apart, as they will not spread during baking.
Bake the cookies. Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until set but not browned.
Cool slightly. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes until they can be handled easily.
First powdered sugar coating. Roll each warm cookie ball in powdered sugar and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Final powdered sugar coating. After the cookies have fully cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve the classic snowball look and serve.

Notes

Ensure the butter is at room temperature for proper creaming with sugar, which helps in making tender cookies.
Do not increase baking time to avoid browning; the cookies should remain pale.
For a nut-free version, you can omit pecans and replace with additional flour or substitute with finely shredded coconut.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to retain freshness.
These cookies freeze well; freeze after the final sugar coating and thaw at room temperature before serving.

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

Keywords: Pecan Snowball Cookies, snowball cookies, pecan cookies, holiday cookies, nut cookies, powdered sugar cookies, melt-in-mouth cookies