Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

Toasted Pecan Snowball Cookies

These tender, buttery cookies are a nostalgic holiday treat, packed with toasted pecans and coated in a generous layer of powdered sugar. With their delicate crumb and subtle sweetness, they’re the kind of cookie that vanishes quickly from the dessert tray—like edible snowflakes that melt on your tongue.

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📝 Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted butter, softened	1 cup
Granulated sugar	1/2 cup
Egg yolk	1 large
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
All-purpose flour	1 3/4 cups
Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Toasted pecans, finely chopped	1 cup
Powdered sugar	For rolling

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🔪 Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If your pecans aren’t already toasted, warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool completely, then chop finely.

Step 2: Cream the Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture is pale and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Egg Yolk & Vanilla
Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully blended.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add this gradually to the wet mixture, mixing on low just until a soft dough forms—do not overmix.

Step 5: Stir in Pecans
Fold in the chopped toasted pecans until evenly incorporated throughout the dough.

Step 6: Form the Dough Balls
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll each between your palms to make smooth balls. Arrange them on your baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.

Step 7: Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until just lightly golden around the edges. The centers should stay pale and soft. Let them cool for a minute or two on the baking sheet.

Step 8: First Powdered Sugar Coat
While still warm but manageable, gently roll the cookies in a bowl of powdered sugar to coat. Transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling—they’ll firm up as they rest.

Step 9: Serve & Dust
Once completely cooled, you can roll them a second time in powdered sugar or dust lightly for extra sweetness and that snowy finish.