Christmas Cookie Day: Pecan Butter Balls

let it snow(ball)

It’s time for a snowball fight! Okay, not really. But these pecan butter balls do look a lot like little snowballs, especially since they’re covered in powdered sugar. But unlike a ball of ice, these cookies have chopped pecans inside. They’ll go perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or your afternoon tea. Or your morning hot-drink-of-choice for that matter. You could use walnuts or almonds, but then they won’t be pecan butter balls anymore.

Pecan Butter Balls
– 2 cups of flour
– ¼ cup of sugar
– ½ teaspoon of salt
– 1 cup (2 sticks) of margarine or butter
– 2 teaspoons of vanilla
– 2 cups of finely chopped pecans
– Powdered sugar, enough to cover the balls

Heat your oven to 325º.

Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the margarine and vanilla and mix together with a wooden spoon or a pastry cutter. Keep mashing it all together (this will take a few minutes) until a soft dough forms. Mix in pecans.

Shape into 1 inch balls and bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 25 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned on bottom. While still a little warm, roll or sprinkle the balls in powdered sugar. Let cool completely and then eat.

---