Deliciously Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies with a Sweet Touch

Indulge in the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, perfect for cozy gatherings and holiday celebrations

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Deliciously Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies with a Sweet Touch
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Chef's Essential Tips

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Serving Suggestions:
Serve these cookies during the holidays, at family gatherings, or as a sweet treat with afternoon tea. Their delightful appearance and flavor make them a hit at any gathering!
Experimenting with Flavors:
Don’t hesitate to customize your snowball cookies. Adding chocolate chips, dried fruits, or using different nuts can elevate these cookies to your personal preference. Get creative while maintaining the core recipe!
Dusting with Sugar:
For a beautiful finish, roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm. This creates a lovely snowy effect and adds sweetness. You can roll them again after they cool for an extra touch.
Pecan Preparation:
Toasting your pecans enhances their flavor. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast them at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent burning. Let them cool before chopping.
Chill your Cookies:
Chilling the cookie dough can yield a firmer texture and develop richer flavors. If the dough is too soft, don’t hesitate to refrigerate it for a short time before rolling into balls.
Cooling Cookies:
Cooling the cookies slightly before rolling in powdered sugar prevents the sugar from melting. Allowing them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes also helps them firm up, making them easier to handle.
Baking Temperature and Time:
Baking at the correct temperature is essential for even cooking. Keep an eye on your cookies towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning. They should be set around the edges but still soft in the center.
Rolling Cookies:
Rolling dough into balls should be done with slightly wet hands to prevent sticking. Ensure that each cookie is uniform in size for even baking; using a cookie scoop can help maintain consistency.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients:
When adding dry ingredients like flour and salt, mix just until combined. Overmixing can activate gluten, resulting in denser cookies. Aim for a slightly shaggy dough that comes together but may still be a bit crumbly.
Creaming Butter and Sugar:
Creaming butter and sugar together is a crucial step in cookie baking. It incorporates air into the mixture, helping to create a light and fluffy texture. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for the best results, as cold butter won't cream well.
Deliciously Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies with a Sweet Touch

The Complete Guide to Mastering Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

Serving Suggestions:
Serve these cookies during the holidays, at family gatherings, or as a sweet treat with afternoon tea. Their delightful appearance and flavor make them a hit at any gathering!
Experimenting with Flavors:
Don’t hesitate to customize your snowball cookies. Adding chocolate chips, dried fruits, or using different nuts can elevate these cookies to your personal preference. Get creative while maintaining the core recipe!
Dusting with Sugar:
For a beautiful finish, roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm. This creates a lovely snowy effect and adds sweetness. You can roll them again after they cool for an extra touch.
Pecan Preparation:
Toasting your pecans enhances their flavor. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast them at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent burning. Let them cool before chopping.
Chill your Cookies:
Chilling the cookie dough can yield a firmer texture and develop richer flavors. If the dough is too soft, don’t hesitate to refrigerate it for a short time before rolling into balls.
Cooling Cookies:
Cooling the cookies slightly before rolling in powdered sugar prevents the sugar from melting. Allowing them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes also helps them firm up, making them easier to handle.
Baking Temperature and Time:
Baking at the correct temperature is essential for even cooking. Keep an eye on your cookies towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning. They should be set around the edges but still soft in the center.
Rolling Cookies:
Rolling dough into balls should be done with slightly wet hands to prevent sticking. Ensure that each cookie is uniform in size for even baking; using a cookie scoop can help maintain consistency.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients:
When adding dry ingredients like flour and salt, mix just until combined. Overmixing can activate gluten, resulting in denser cookies. Aim for a slightly shaggy dough that comes together but may still be a bit crumbly.
Creaming Butter and Sugar:
Creaming butter and sugar together is a crucial step in cookie baking. It incorporates air into the mixture, helping to create a light and fluffy texture. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for the best results, as cold butter won't cream well.
Pro Baker Secrets to Perfect Snowball Cookies
Be careful not to overmix once you add the flour; this keeps the cookies tender and light.
These cookies can be served alongside coffee or hot cocoa for a lovely afternoon treat.
Double the recipe to ensure there's plenty to share during the holidays.
Feel free to add a touch of almond extract for a unique twist, pairing beautifully with pecans.
Deliciously Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies with a Sweet Touch

Deliciously Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies with a Sweet Touch

Indulge in the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, perfect for cozy gatherings and holiday celebrations. These delightful treats are made with key ingredients like silky butter, crunchy pecans, and sweet powdered sugar, creating a rich flavor profile that balances sweetness with nutty undertones. The texture is a heavenly combination of crumbly exterior and a soft, tender inside, ensuring each bite is a delightful experience. Ideal for Christmas cookie trays, festive parties, or simply as a sweet afternoon snack, these cookies evoke warm memories of family traditions and love. Their precious snowball shape adds a whimsical touch, making them a favorite among both kids and adults alike. Bake a batch and watch them disappear in no time, as the aroma of buttery goodness fills your home, bringing everyone together.

Deliciously Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies with a Sweet Touch
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Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:
01
1 cup unsalted butter, softened - Choose high-quality butter for a richer flavor.
02
2 cups all-purpose flour - Essential for structure; can substitute with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.
03
1/2 cup powdered sugar - Provides sweetness and contributes to the melt-in-your-mouth texture.
04
1 cup finely chopped pecans - Adds delightful crunch and a nutty flavor; you can substitute with walnuts if desired.
05
1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a hint of warmth.
06
1/4 teaspoon salt - Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
For Coating:
07
1/2 cup powdered sugar - For dusting the cookies and adding sweetness.
08
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon - Optional, for a warm, spicy note in the coating.

Instructions

01
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
03
Step 3: Add in the vanilla extract and mix until combined, enhancing the batter's aroma and flavor.
04
Step 4: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt, blending until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
05
Step 5: Fold in the finely chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
06
Step 6: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball; place it on the prepared baking sheet.
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Step 7: Repeat this process until all the dough is used, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
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Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
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Step 9: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
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Step 10: While still warm, roll each cookie in the remaining powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.