Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (65g) sifted powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (315g) sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups (87g) finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Prepare dry ingredients: Sift the powdered sugar and all-purpose flour to ensure there are no lumps and that the dry ingredients are light and airy. Finely chop the nuts using either a food processor or a knife until they reach a fine consistency.
- Make the dough base: In a mixing bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, sifted powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated, creating a creamy base for the dough.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the sifted flour and salt to the butter mixture. Mix gently until a dough starts to form, being careful not to overmix to maintain the crumbly texture.
- Incorporate nuts: Fold the finely chopped nuts into the dough until evenly distributed throughout. Ensure the mixture is well combined but still holds a cohesive texture.
- Shape cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop (approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons), scoop portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Place the dough balls at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the bottoms just start to brown lightly. This ensures they are cooked through while still tender inside.
- Cool completely: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Cooling is essential so the cookies firm up and don’t crumble when handled.
- Coat with powdered sugar: Once cooled, gently roll each cookie in sifted powdered sugar to create a classic snowball appearance with a sweet, powdery coating.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
- Chilling the dough before baking is optional but can help prevent spreading.
- Use walnuts or pecans depending on your flavor preference.
- Make sure cookies are fully cooled before rolling in powdered sugar to avoid melting the sugar coating.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
