Pecan Dreams (Snowball Cookies)

Pecan Dreams (aka Snowball Cookies) are a classic cookie I'd always see on my Grandma's dessert table. They are crisp, buttery cookies laced with finally chopped pecans and rolled in powdered sugar.

Course Desserts & Sweet Treats

Cuisine American

Keyword cookies, holiday cookies, pecans

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Servings cookies

Calories 86

Author Laurie McNamara

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup pecans
2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1½ cups powdered sugar divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt pink Himalayan or sea salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Toast 1 cup pecans in a dry skillet for 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, let cool and then chop very fine.
Toss the cooled chopped pecans with the flour.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, add unsalted butter, 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar, finely chopped pecans, vanilla extract and fine salt.
Starting on low, increase the speed slowly, mixing until combined. Scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as you go. Gradually add in the flour/pecan mixture, mixing until combined. Scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 to 40 minutes. The dough should be scoop-able yet firm.
Meanwhile preheat your oven to 350℉ (or 180℃).
Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Next, use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure out the dough for each cookie. Place 20 dough balls roughly 2-inches apart on the prepared pans and then roll into smooth balls that are no larger than a nickel in diameter.
Slide one or both of the pans, if both will fit, onto the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake for 6 to 7 minutes. Rotate the pan(s) and bake for 6 minutes more. Or until the edges and bottoms are lightly golden in color.
Meanwhile, add the reserved 1 cup powdered sugar to a bowl.
Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes on the pan before rolling in the powdered sugar. Repeat with any remaining dough.
Once cooled completely, arrange on a serving platter and dust with more powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition