These Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are a classic holiday favorite, known for their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich nutty flavor. Made with finely chopped pecans and coated generously in powdered sugar, they resemble perfect little snowballs, offering a delicate sweetness and a satisfying crunch in every bite.

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Step 1: Prep the Ingredients Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If using raw pecans, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Let them cool completely before finely chopping.
2. Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar In a large mixing bowl, beat the 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients Beat in the 1 large egg yolk and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the butter mixture.
4. Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter-sugar blend, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Step 5: Fold in Pecans Gently fold in the 1 cup finely chopped (and cooled, if toasted) pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Step 6: Shape the Cookies Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them between your palms to form smooth, compact balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
7. Step 7: Bake Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, but the centers remain soft and pale. The cookies will be delicate at this stage.
8. Step 8: Roll in Powdered Sugar While the cookies are still warm (but cool enough to handle without breaking), carefully transfer them to a shallow dish filled generously with powdered sugar. Gently roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until it is completely coated. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before handling further, as they will firm up as they cool.
9. Step 9: Serve Once cooled, serve these delicate snowball cookies. For an even prettier presentation and an extra touch of sweetness, dust them with an additional sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving.