Description
Candy Cane Snowball Cookies are a festive twist on the classic snowball cookie, featuring a buttery base combined with crunchy pecans and crushed candy canes. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies, coated generously in confectioners sugar, offer a delightful balance of sweetness and a hint of peppermint perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)
- 2 candy canes (crushed)
- 1 cup confectioners sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer bowl or with a hand mixer and a large bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and ½ cup of confectioners sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to distribute the salt evenly throughout.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the finely chopped pecans and crushed candy canes using a spatula.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop. Arrange them on the prepared cookie sheets spaced about 1 inch apart to allow for slight expansion.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms turn a light golden brown. Avoid overbaking to maintain a tender texture.
- Cool Slightly: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, until they can be handled safely without breaking.
- Coat Cookies: Pour the remaining 1 cup of confectioners sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each warm cookie thoroughly in the sugar to coat them evenly.
- Final Cooling and Coating: Place the sugar-coated cookies on a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, roll the cookies in confectioners sugar one more time to create the signature snowy coating.
Notes
- Room temperature butter ensures easy creaming and better texture.
- Chopping pecans finely helps them distribute evenly without overwhelming the delicate cookie dough.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract along with vanilla.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- If you prefer nut-free cookies, omit pecans and add extra candy canes for crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Candy Cane Snowball Cookies, holiday cookies, peppermint cookies, pecan cookies, Christmas cookies, festive desserts
