Description
Delight in these classic Cinnamon Snowball Cookies, a perfect blend of buttery dough, finely chopped pecans, and a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. These melt-in-your-mouth treats are easy to prepare and ideal for sharing during holidays or any cozy occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces very finely chopped pecans (about 1 cup)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time your cookies are ready for baking.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, finely chopped pecans, and salt. Stir until all ingredients are just combined; the dough might be slightly crumbly, which is expected.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop approximately 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Place each dough ball on a baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the edges start to set but the cookies remain pale.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While the cookies bake, mix together ¾ cup powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a zip-top bag or large container. This will be used to coat the cookies while they are still warm.
- Coat the Cookies: Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them into the cinnamon sugar mixture and gently shake to coat each cookie evenly, forming the signature snowball appearance.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best dough consistency.
- Chopping pecans very finely helps distribute the nutty flavor evenly in each bite.
- If you prefer, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to keep them fresh.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and consider adding an extra ¼ cup flour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
