Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). This ensures it's the perfect temperature once your cookies are ready to bake. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly. Set this aside while you prepare the dough.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and ½ cup of powdered sugar. Using an electric hand mixer (or a sturdy spoon and some muscle), beat the two together for about 2–3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.

Add the Vanilla Extract: Next, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your creamed butter mixture. Mix again until the vanilla is fully incorporated. This adds that delicious warm flavor that gives these cookies their classic bakery-style taste.

Add the Dry Ingredients: Now it’s time to add the dry ingredients. Slowly add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon of salt to the bowl. Mix on low speed (or stir gently) until the dough starts coming together. It may look crumbly at first just keep mixing until it forms a soft dough.

Stir in the Chopped Nuts: Add 1 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough. Use a spatula or spoon to gently fold them in until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Form the Dough into Balls: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball, about 1 inch in size. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each. Tip: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, place it in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to firm it up before rolling.

Bake the Cookies: Carefully place the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 12 to 20 minutes, depending on their size. You’ll know they’re done when the bottoms are just turning golden but the tops stay pale. They should feel set but not browned. Tip: Every oven is a bit different, so start checking them at the 12-minute mark.

First Powdered Sugar Roll (While Warm): As soon as the cookies come out of the oven and are cool enough to touch (but still warm), roll them in a bowl of powdered sugar. This first coating sticks better when the cookies are warm. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely.

Final Powdered Sugar Coating (After Cooling): Once the cookies have cooled completely, give them a second roll in powdered sugar for that perfect snowy look. This final coating adds that classic snowball sweetness and makes the cookies look beautiful on a holiday tray!