Description

These savory pecan snowball cookies offer a unique twist on traditional sweet cookies with a nutty, salty flavor and a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for holiday treats or a snack with tea, they combine toasted pecans and fresh herbs for a sophisticated taste.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar, plus extra for coating
2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
1 cup (120 grams) chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme), finely chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 6-8 minutes, tossing halfway through. Let cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Mix in vanilla extract and finely chopped fresh herbs until evenly combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt. Slowly add to the butter mixture in batches, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just combined.
Gently fold the cooled toasted pecans into the dough.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into 1 inch (2.5 cm) diameter balls. Place evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill dough for 15 minutes if sticky.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-18 minutes until bottoms are just golden and tops remain pale.
While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat completely. For extra coverage, roll again once cooled.
Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before storing or serving.

Notes

If dough is too crumbly to shape, chill for 20 minutes to relax butter. Toasting pecans is essential for flavor. Avoid overmixing flour to keep cookies tender. Roll cookies in powdered sugar while warm for best coating.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 160
Sugar: 7
Sodium: 90
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 1
Protein: 2

Keywords: savory cookies, pecan cookies, holiday treats, snowball cookies, nutty cookies, herb cookies, easy cookies