Our family goes nuts over pecan ball cookies! These cookies are from my in-law’s recipe box and has been a family holiday tradition for years. You may also know them as Mexican Wedding Cookies. So simple yet so delicious. How can you go wrong with butter, nuts and sugar? They are great for the holiday season prep too as they freeze well. Just wrap them in an air-tight container and defrost shortly before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened (2 sticks)
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups Flour
• 1 tbsp Water
• 1 cup Crushed Pecans, preferably slightly toasted
• Additional 1 cup + Powdered Sugar for rolling

You can double the recipe. Toasting the nuts is not required, but it does deepen the nutty flavor.

If you’re toasting the nuts, place the nuts in a skillet over medium heat. Stirring frequently, toast the nuts for about 5 minutes, until they darken slightly and start to smell fragrant. Let cool until at least warm. Place the nuts in a sealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin. The nuts will become a chunky powder.

Mix the butter and 1/2 cup powered sugar in a large electric mixing bowl. Add the vanilla and water and beat a few more times until incorporated. On low speed, add the flour and salt. Next, add the crushed nuts. Mix well on low speed but don’t over mix.

An easy way to get equal size cookies is to make a rectangle of the dough on Saran Wrap. Remove the dough from the electric mixer bowl and place on the Saran Wrap. Ensure the dough is equal in height and has even edges. Wrap tightly with the Saran Wrap and place in refrigerator for about an hour. This will make the cutting and rolling into balls much easier.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Once the dough is firm, cut into equal size small squares and then roll into balls. Roll the balls in powdered sugar and then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 -18 minutes. If desired, roll the cookies in powered sugar again while still warm. Serve warm or room temperature.

These freeze well in an air-tight container, so they can be made in advance!