Last week I shared with you my Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, which are perfect for sharing. This week, we are turning to another holiday favorite — Snowflake Cookies. You may have heard them called wedding cookies or pecan puffs, but at my house these have always been a special December treat.
These delicate cookies are light as a snowflake and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Last week, I took them to a gathering with my girlfriends, and one said, “That is the best cookie I have ever had — really ever — in my whole life!”
I look at these snowflakes as the diamonds among the gems on a cookie platter. If there is a downside to these little sweets, it’s that each batch makes only 12 cookies. But having a small batch of cookies is nice when most of my other recipes make three to six dozen. While doubling is not recommended, repeat batches are highly suggested!
Many of you, dear readers, have shared your favorite cookie recipes and amazing stories with me, and they are posted on Kitchenscoop.com for all to enjoy. Check them out, and happy holiday baking! May your cookie platters overflow!
Snowflake Cookies
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ cup plus
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
½ cup pecans, finely chopped
¼ cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (see note).
Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on low until well blended and batter becomes light.
Using a cookie dough scoop, shape the dough into 12 equal-sized balls (about 1½ inches) and place on prepared sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies begin to lightly brown at the bottom edge.
Cool 5 minutes, then remove them to wire racks. Dust the cookies with additional powdered sugar. When cool, serve or store cookies in tins for up to 1 week.
(Note: There are many different brands of parchment paper on the market. Make sure you choose a paper that can tolerate high baking temperatures.)
Makes 1 dozen cookies.
Each cookie has about 161 calories, 12 grams fat (6 grams saturated), 23 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams protein, 12 grams carbohydrates, trace dietary fiber, 112 milligrams sodium.
Alicia Ross is the co-author of three cookbooks. Contact her c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106, email tellus@kitchenscoop.com, or visit http://kitchenscoop.com.
