Ingredients
Ingredients for Perfection
Key Ingredients
- Butter: Softened butter is the foundation of these cookies, providing their rich and tender texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Used in both the dough and the coating, it adds sweetness and a signature snowy finish.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and complements the nuttiness of the pecans.
- Flour: The base that holds everything together.
- Pecans: Finely chopped pecans give the cookies their nutty crunch and flavor.
Why These Ingredients Work Together
The combination of butter, sugar, and flour creates a crumbly, shortbread-like dough that’s easy to work with. Finely chopped pecans distribute evenly throughout, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Instructions
Step-by-Step Recipe
How to Make Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. - Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and creamy. This step ensures the cookies are tender and not dense. - Add the Dry Ingredients:
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add vanilla extract, salt, flour, and finely chopped pecans. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies. - Shape the Dough:
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. - Bake:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 11 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid overbaking; the cookies should remain pale with just a hint of golden color at the bottom. - Coat in Sugar:
Allow the cookies to cool slightly, then roll 3-4 cookies at a time in powdered sugar, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Use a fork to gently lift and shake off excess sugar. Place on cooling racks to cool completely. - Final Dusting:
Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them again in powdered sugar for a thick, snowy coating.