Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Melty-in-Your-Mouth Marvels: The combination of soft, buttery dough and chopped pecans creates a textural contrast that's simply delightful in every bite.
• Easy Breezy Baking: With minimal ingredients and a straightforward process, these cookies are perfect for bakers of all levels.
• Holiday Cheer in Every Bite: Dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies resemble little snowballs, adding a festive touch to your holiday dessert table.

Ingredients to Gather for Your Buttery Adventure:

• Buttery Dough:
• 2 sticks (1 cup) softened butter - the base for melt-in-your-mouth goodness
• ½ cup powdered sugar - for sweetness and light texture
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - adds a touch of warm vanilla flavor
• Pinch of salt - balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour - provides structure for the cookies
• Nutty Crunch:
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans - adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor
• Sweet Finish:
• 1 cup powdered sugar (additional) - transforms the cookies into snowy treats

1. Preheat the Oven: Get your oven ready to work its magic by preheating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Creamy Perfection: In a large mixing bowl, grab your electric mixer and set it to medium speed. Cream together the softened butter, ½ cup of powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, resembling a creamy dream.
3. Bringing it All Together: Don't overmix the dough! Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed butter mixture on low speed, mixing only until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
4. Welcome the Pecans: Once you have a beautiful ball of dough, it's time to incorporate the star of the show – the pecans! Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Shaping the Snowballs: Wet your hands slightly to prevent the dough from sticking. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Aim for about 36 evenly sized balls – enough to share with friends and family!
6. Baking to Golden Perfection: Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent them from sticking and ensure a clean transfer after baking. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them – you want them to be perfectly baked, not burnt.
7. A Cooling Act: Let the baked cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before rolling them in powdered sugar. This is important, as the powdered sugar will melt on a warm cookie. Patience is key!
8. A Snowy Transformation: Once the cookies are cool, prepare a shallow bowl with the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar. Gently roll each cookie in the powdered sugar, ensuring it's completely coated. For an extra snowy effect and a touch more sweetness, you can double coat the cookies.
9. Sweet and Irresistible: Serve these delightful Pecan Snowball Cookies and watch them disappear! They're the perfect sweet treat that melts in your mouth and leaves everyone wanting more.