Brown Butter Pecan Snowball Cookies: 10 Amazing Bites
These delightful Brown Butter Pecan Snowball Cookies are a perfect holiday treat. They combine the rich, nutty flavor of browned butter and toasted pecans with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Easy to make and wonderfully festive, they’ll be a hit at any gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 3 dozen cookies
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns a rich golden brown and smells nutty. This is your brown butter. Immediately pour it into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking. Let it cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Gently fold in the toasted chopped pecans.
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, generously dust them with powdered sugar.
Notes
- To toast pecans, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant. Let them cool before chopping.
- Ensure your brown butter doesn’t burn. Watch for the nutty aroma and golden color.
- Chilling the dough is important for easier shaping.
- These cookies are best enjoyed within a few days of baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approximately 100-120 calories (will vary based on exact ingredient measurements)
- Sugar: Approximately 6-8g
- Sodium: Approximately 20-30mg
- Fat: Approximately 7-9g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 3-4g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 4-5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 10-12g
- Fiber: Approximately 0.5-1g
- Protein: Approximately 1-2g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 15-20mg