Pecan Meltaways
Pecan meltaways are a simple and fun Christmas cookie to make! My recipe is a spin on the timeless classic – a shortbread cookie with toasted pecans and a hint of nutty almond extract rolled in powdered sugar.
Whether you call them pecan sandies, pecan snowballs, Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cakes, they are perfect around the holidays and reminiscent of grandma’s house!
Related: Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
Related: Fudgy Crinkle Top Brownies
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If you’re looking for more Christmas treats, I have tons of sweet treat recipes that I’ve shared – some with a healthier spin, and some that are meant to be a true treat.
Holidays, parties, whatever the occasion, my chocolate-covered graham crackers are a total hit! But, my famous maple chocolate chip cookies are an all-time favorite.
- what are pecan meltaways?
- how to make pecan meltaways
- in a pinch instructions
- how to store pecan meltaways
- Can you freeze pecan meltaways?
- pecan meltaways Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- pecan meltaways substitutions
- shop this post
- more sweet treats
- Pin it for later – pecan meltaways
- print the pecan meltaway recipe
- Pecan Meltaways
- in a pinch instructions
- how to store pecan meltaways
- Can you freeze pecan meltaways?
- pecan meltaways Tips
- About Me
what are pecan meltaways?
I’m sure you’ve had, or at least seen, pecan snowballs before. They’re those cookies that come around during the holidays that are shaped in a ball (sometimes flattened on the bottom) and rolled in powdered sugar.
It’s a shortbread cookie with a buttery pecan flavor rolled in powdered sugar. They’re simple yet full of flavor and the texture is delicious.
how to make pecan meltaways
Buttery toasted pecan with a hint of almond rolled into a shortbread cookie and dusted with powdered sugar.
You won’t believe how easy this recipe is. There are tons of complicated techniques to make pecan snowballs, but this is the easy way that doesn’t sacrifice one bit of flavor.
Ingredients
Organic purpose flour – Since there aren’t many ingredients in this recipe, using quality flour will make all the difference.
Salted butter – This is the key to tastier cookies! Using salted butter brings out the flavor in the cookies (also it’s probably what you already have on hand).
Toasted pecans – Toasting the pecans will give you a truly nutty flavor that untoasted pecans just won’t provide.
Organic granulated sugar – Some recipes call for confectioners sugar within the cookie, too. I do not because I prefer the texture of granulated sugar.
Almond extract – This is the secret to the best pecan meltaways ever. If you prefer, though, you can opt for vanilla extract.
Powdered sugar – What makes this a classic – the powdered sugar!
pecan snowball Instructions
- Toast your pecans by placing on an ungreased baking sheet in a 350F oven for about 8 minutes until fragrant. Watch closely so they don’t burn. Chop very small (use a blender or food processor if you’d like).
- Combine all ingredients (except powdered sugar) in a bowl. I recommend using gloves for this step since it’s a bit messy!
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This makes the dough easy to roll.
- Preheat oven to 350F and roll your cookies into small, 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until set (they shouldn’t be browned).
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple minutes, then roll (while warm) in powdered sugar. They will be fragile so be careful.
- Let them rest for about 20-30 minutes until cooled then roll again in powdered sugar. More will stick this time because they will be sticky from the first rolling while they were warm.
in a pinch instructions
Prechopped nuts – Buying the prechopped nuts will save a bit of time at the cutting board.
Don’t toast the pecans – You’ll sacrifice flavor, but save plenty of time by not toasting the pecans.
how to store pecan meltaways
Store pecan meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can refrigerate the dough for 3 days prior to baking too.
Can you freeze pecan meltaways?
Yes, you can freeze pecan meltaways for up to 2 months in an airtight container. However, you’ll sacrifice the traditional melt-in-your-mouth texture of the cookie. I suggest freezing the dough rather than the baked cookie.
pecan meltaways Tips
Refrigerate the dough – I highly recommend refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes prior to rolling. You’ll have a much easier time rolling the dough.
Use gloves – Using gloves is a technique I got from Jenny Can Cook and it’s a gamechanger. Definitely using this tip for all my messy recipes!
Keep it simple – Just mix everything in one bowl all at the same time! The result is delicious and there’s no need to overcomplicate things.
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday cookie exchange
- Bring wherever you spend Christmas day
- Gift to someone
- Ship these cookies off to someone (they package and ship very well)
pecan meltaways substitutions
Extract – Vanilla or maple extract would be delicious too.
Sugar – You can go the confectioner’s sugar route instead of granulated. This will give you a different texture which some people prefer.
Nuts – Instead of pecans use chopped almonds, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts.
Add mini chocolate chips to the dough!
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- Berkey water filter (we use the Royal because we drink an insane amount of water!)
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- Dutch oven
- Stand mixer
- Boos Block Butcher Block
- 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet
more sweet treats
Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
Pumpkin Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Lemon and Lavender Sourdough Discard Muffins
Pin it for later – pecan meltaways
Related: 30 tips for cookies from scratch
Related: Christmas Crack with Graham Crackers
print the pecan meltaway recipe
Pecan Meltaways
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic, all-purpose flour
- 1 stick salted butter 1/2 cup, softened
- 1 cup toasted pecans finely chopped
- 3 tbs organic granulated sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Toast your pecans by placing on an ungreased baking sheet in a 350F oven for about 8 minutes until fragrant. Watch closely so they don't burn. Chop very small (use a blender or food processor if you'd like).
- Combine all ingredients (except powdered sugar) in a bowl. I recommend using gloves for this step since it's a bit messy!
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This makes the dough easy to roll.
- Preheat oven to 350F and roll your cookies into small, 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until set (they shouldn't be browned).
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple minutes, then roll (while warm) in powdered sugar. They will be fragile so be careful.
- Let them rest for about 20-30 minutes until cooled then roll again in powdered sugar. More will stick this time because they will be sticky from the first rolling while they were warm.
Video
Notes
in a pinch instructions
Prechopped nuts – Buying the prechopped nuts will save a bit of time at the cutting board. Don’t toast the pecans – You’ll sacrifice flavor, but save plenty of time by not toasting the pecans.how to store pecan meltaways
Store pecan meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can refrigerate the dough for 3 days prior to baking too.Can you freeze pecan meltaways?
Yes, you can freeze pecan meltaways for up to 2 months in an airtight container. However, you’ll sacrifice the traditional melt-in-your-mouth texture of the cookie. I suggest freezing the dough rather than the baked cookie.pecan meltaways Tips
Refrigerate the dough – I highly recommend refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes prior to rolling. You’ll have a much easier time rolling the dough. Use gloves – Using gloves is a technique I got from Jenny Can Cook and it’s a gamechanger. Definitely using this tip for all my messy recipes! Keep it simple – Just mix everything in one bowl all at the same time! The result is delicious and there’s no need to overcomplicate things.About Me
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please let me know what you think below.