Description
These Snowball Cookies with Toasted Pecans are a delightful and classic holiday treat. They are incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread-like cookies, generously studded with toasted pecans and coated in a delicate dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, toasted pecans, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- While still warm, roll the cookies in additional powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, roll them in powdered sugar again for a thicker coating, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- To toast pecans, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. Let them cool completely before chopping.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the flour mixture.
- These cookies are often called Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes.
- They freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
