Pecan Cookie Balls

Merry Christmas Eve!! Today is our big Christmas celebration with my family and I'm so excited. My mom always used to make Almond Crescent Cookies for the holidays (among tons and tons of others) and I loved them. She gradually started weeding out her cookie list and only makes a couple different types now, but those were always some of my favorites. These Pecan Cookie Balls remind me of those cookies and I love it.

They kind of remind me of a shortbread-type cookie. They are buttery and melt in your mouth with each bite. But then there are tiny bites of pecans hidden throughout each cookie that adds some bite. They're so delicious and a perfect addition to your Christmas cookie tray. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 4 dozen

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups pecans, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; beat until well blended. Stir in flour and pecans.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 15 minutes. 

Remove from baking sheets. Immediately roll hot cookies in remaining 2 cups sugar. Place sugared cookies on wire racks to cool. When cool, roll again in sugar.

Source: McCormick