Ingredients:
- 1 cinnamon stick (about 4 inches/10 cm)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Grind the cinnamon stick into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Set aside.
3. Cube the softened butter into small pieces for easier mixing.
4. In a food processor, pulse the pecans until they form a coarse meal. Avoid over-processing to prevent nut butter formation.
5. Add the cubed butter, ground cinnamon, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and flour to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture comes together into a dough ball.
6. Scoop the dough into approximately 20 equal portions and roll each into a ball.
7. Coat each ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring full coverage. Place the coated balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch (2-3 cm) between them.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still pale in color. Avoid overbrowning.
9. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving for a snowy finish.
These Pecan Snowball Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or enjoying with a cup of tea. Their buttery, nutty flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them a seasonal favorite!
