Georgia O’Keeffe, the iconic American artist, was also known for her simple yet thoughtful approach to cooking and baking. Among her cherished recipes, pecan butterballs stand out as a holiday favorite. These tender, nutty cookies melt in your mouth and are perfect for festive gatherings or a comforting treat with tea.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a smooth dough forms.
- Fold in pecans: Gently fold the chopped pecans into the dough, ensuring they’re evenly dispersed.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking.
- Cool and coat: Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar. For a thicker coating, roll them again after they have cooled completely.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: Serve these pecan butterballs with a warm beverage like coffee or tea. They also make an excellent addition to holiday cookie platters.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container, and dust them with powdered sugar again before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute pecans with another nut?
Yes, walnuts or almonds work well as substitutes. Choose your favorite nut for a unique twist.
2. How do I ensure my cookies don’t flatten while baking?
Use softened, not melted, butter and avoid overmixing the dough. Chilling the dough briefly before shaping can also help.
3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
4. Why do the cookies need to be rolled in powdered sugar twice?
Rolling them while warm allows the sugar to stick, and a second coat after cooling provides a fuller, even coating.
Enjoy Georgia O’Keeffe’s pecan butterballs, a delicious nod to her artistic and culinary legacy!
PrintGeorgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs
These delicate, melt-in-your-mouth pecan butterballs are inspired by a favorite recipe from renowned artist Georgia O’Keeffe. They’re buttery, nutty, and lightly sweet, perfect for holiday gatherings or as a delightful treat with tea.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for dusting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. - Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. - Add Pecans:
Gently fold in the chopped pecans until evenly distributed. - Shape the Cookies:
Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spaced slightly apart. - Bake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. - Cool and Dust:
Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack. While still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat. - Finish:
Once fully cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again for a thicker coating.
Notes
- For a twist, try toasting the pecans before chopping for an extra nutty flavor.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.