Description
Buttery and crunchy Butter Pecan Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats coated in sweet powdered sugar. These classic cookies combine soft pecan-studded dough balls baked to light golden perfection and rolled twice in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ lb butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking temperature before placing your cookies in.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat together for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flour and Pecans: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed mixture and mix until a dough forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate all ingredients evenly. Fold in the chopped pecans thoroughly for nutty flavor and crunch.
- Form Dough Balls: Using your hands, shape the dough into approximately 15 balls, each about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place the balls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick surface, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the dough balls in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are just lightly golden around the edges, indicating they are cooked through yet still tender inside.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool for about 5 minutes to firm up slightly but still be warm enough for the powdered sugar to adhere.
- Coat Cookies with Powdered Sugar: Pour the powdered sugar into a small bowl. Gently roll each warm cookie in the powdered sugar to coat all sides evenly. Place the coated cookies back on the cooling rack and then roll them again in the sugar for a second, thicker coating to create the classic snowy appearance.
- Cool Completely and Store: Allow the cookies to cool fully at room temperature on the rack before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- Chopping your pecans finely helps them incorporate more evenly throughout the dough.
- Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar gives them their signature snowball look and extra sweetness.
- These cookies are best enjoyed within a few days but can be frozen for up to a month in an airtight container.
- For a nut-free version, you can omit the pecans and increase flour slightly or substitute with seeds if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Butter Pecan Snowball Cookies, snowball cookies, pecan cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies, powdered sugar cookies
