: Grandma’s Snowball Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup powdered sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure that the cookies don’t stick and to make cleanup easier.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps to create a smooth dough and ensures the cookies will have a tender texture.
3. Add the vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined. The vanilla will add a fragrant sweetness to the cookies that balances the richness of the butter.
4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, mixing it in until fully combined. The dough will be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
5. Stir in the chopped pecans, which will give the cookies a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor. Be sure to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
6. Form the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave about an inch of space between each cookie to allow for even baking.
7. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are just beginning to turn golden at the edges. They should remain pale in the center, but the edges will firm up slightly as they bake.