Introduction
Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs are delicate, buttery cookies packed with finely chopped pecans and finished with a generous coating of powdered sugar. They have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich nutty flavor, making them a classic treat for holidays, afternoon coffee, or whenever you want a simple homemade cookie.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional powdered sugar, for coating
Method
- Prepare the Dough
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Fold in the finely chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies
Scoop out small portions of dough and gently roll them between your palms to form small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie.
- Bake
Bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are lightly golden. Do not overbake them, as these cookies are meant to remain tender.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar
While the cookies are still slightly warm, gently roll each one in powdered sugar until completely coated.
Transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. For an extra snowy finish, roll the cooled cookies in powdered sugar a second time.
Tips
Use softened butter rather than melted butter for the best texture.
Finely chop the pecans so they distribute evenly throughout the dough.
Avoid overmixing after adding the flour. Overmixing can make the cookies less tender.
Do not overbake. The cookies should remain pale with only a light golden color underneath.
For a beautiful snowy appearance, give the cookies a second coating of powdered sugar after they have completely cooled.
Storage
Store the cooled Pecan Butterballs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen in an airtight container for longer storage. If freezing, add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar after thawing.
Benefits
These cookies are made with simple pantry ingredients and provide the rich, satisfying flavor of pecans combined with buttery sweetness. Pecans also naturally provide healthy unsaturated fats, along with small amounts of protein, fiber, and minerals.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per cookie will vary depending on the size of the cookies and the amount of powdered sugar used.
Calories: approximately 100–130
Carbohydrates: approximately 9–12 g
Fat: approximately 7–9 g
Protein: approximately 1–2 g
Sugar: approximately 2–4 g
Conclusion
Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs are wonderfully simple, delicate cookies with a rich buttery center and plenty of toasted pecan flavor. Their soft texture and snowy powdered-sugar coating make them especially beautiful for holiday cookie trays, afternoon tea, or homemade gifts.