Description
Delightfully buttery and nutty, Pecan Cookie Balls are tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats that offer a snowy powdered sugar finish. Also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Snowball Cookies, these classic American dessert bites combine finely chopped pecans with a soft, flaky cookie dough for a perfect holiday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups finely chopped pecans
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer or whisk to cream the softened unsalted butter with ½ cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which will create a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to infuse the dough with a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon salt to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and ensuring a tender texture.
- Fold in Pecans: Fold in 1½ cups of finely chopped pecans evenly into the dough, distributing the flavorful nuts throughout.
- Shape Cookie Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll each into a smooth ball using your hands, then place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 14–16 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies turn lightly golden while the tops remain pale, indicating a delicate, tender crumb.
- Initial Cooling and Coating: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; while still warm, roll them in additional powdered sugar to start the signature snowy coating.
- Final Cooling and Second Sugar Roll: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time for a beautiful, powdery finish akin to freshly fallen snow.
Notes
- These cookies are commonly known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Snowball Cookies, making them perfect for festive occasions.
- For an enhanced nutty flavor, toast the pecans lightly in a dry skillet before chopping and adding to the dough.
- Store finished cookie balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Handle dough gently to preserve the crumbly texture; over-mixing can result in tougher cookies.
