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–+ servings
Pecan Snowball Cookies heavily dusted with confectioners' sugar on a wooden board.

Pecan Snowball Cookies

Angela Sellari
Bake up a batch of Pecan Snowball Cookies! This classic recipe features tender shortbread, crunchy pecans, and a sweet powdered sugar finish for Christmas.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Chill Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 9 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 36
Calories 127 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups finely chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Instructions
 

  • Using a handheld electric mixer (or stand mixer), cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and salt.
    cookie dough in a bowl
  •  Gradually add the flour, beating after each addition. Stir in the finely chopped nuts until blended.
    cookie dough in the bowl
  • Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 45 minutes.
    cookie dough wrapped in plastic
  • While the dough is in the fridge, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator and scoop 1-inch balls. Roll the balls with your hands until round.
  • Place dough balls about 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake in the oven until the cookies are just beginning to brown around the bottom edges — about 12 to 14 minutes — being careful not to overbake.
    Pecan Snowball Cookies dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Carefully transfer cookies to wire racks for a couple of minutes. Spoon the powdered sugar into a sifter and dust the cookies while they are still warm. Let the sugar-coated cookies cool completely.
    cookies on a cooling tray
  • Dust once again with the confectioners’ sugar.
    Pecan Snowball Cookies, round and heavily dusted with confectioners' sugar, arranged on a wooden board.

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 17mgFiber: 1g
Keyword Christmas Cookies, Pecan Snowball Cookies, snowball cookies
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