Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs

moderator1on
  • 1 to 1½ cups powdered sugar

The ingredients are humble, but this is one of those recipes where quality really does shine through.

Use good butter and fresh pecans if you can. Since there are so few ingredients, every flavor gets a chance to stand out.

Helpful Tools

You don’t need anything fancy to make these cookies.

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or sturdy wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Small cookie scoop, optional
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Small bowl for powdered sugar

A cookie scoop isn't necessary, but I love using one because it helps keep all the butterballs about the same size.

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

Traditional recipes are wonderful as written, but there are a few easy ways to make these your own.

Pecans

Pecans are the star here, so I recommend keeping them if possible. However, walnuts can work if that's what you have.

The flavor will be slightly different, but the texture will still be delicious.

Butter

For the best flavor and texture, use real unsalted butter rather than margarine or a spread.

Vanilla

Pure vanilla extract gives the cookies a lovely background flavor. You could also use a small splash of almond extract for an extra nutty note.

Add a little cinnamon

For a warmer holiday version, add about ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the dough.

Make them extra nutty

For a deeper pecan flavor, lightly toast the pecans before chopping them. Just be sure to let them cool completely before adding them to the dough.

How to Make Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs

Ready? These are wonderfully easy!

Step 1: Prepare the oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar

Place the softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl.

Beat until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and light.

This step helps create that tender cookie texture, so don't rush it.

Step 3: Add the vanilla

Beat in the vanilla extract until evenly incorporated.

Step 4: Add the dry ingredients

Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until the dough comes together.

Don't overmix.

Step 5: Fold in the pecans

Add the finely chopped pecans and mix until they're evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Now comes the fun part!

Step 6: Shape the cookies

Scoop out small portions of dough and gently roll them between your palms to form balls.

Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little room between each cookie.

They don't spread dramatically, so they can be placed fairly close together.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are just beginning to turn lightly golden.

You don't want them deeply browned.

These are supposed to stay pale and delicate.

Step 8: Coat in powdered sugar

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, just until they're firm enough to handle.

While they're still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar.

Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Give them a second coating

Once the cookies have cooled, roll or dust them with powdered sugar again.

Yes, again!

That second coating gives them their gorgeous snowy appearance and adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Tips for Perfect Pecan Butterballs

Don't overbake them

This is probably the most important tip.

Pecan butterballs should be tender and delicate. If you bake them until they're dark golden brown, they'll lose some of that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Use softened butter

The butter should be soft enough to cream easily but not melted.

If your butter is melted, the dough can behave differently and the cookies may spread.

Chop the pecans finely

Large chunks can make these delicate cookies difficult to shape.

Finely chopped pecans distribute beautifully throughout the dough.

Don't skip the second sugar coating

The first coating sticks beautifully to the warm cookies. The second coating gives them that classic snowy finish.

Let the cookies cool before storing

Warm cookies can become fragile and may stick together if packed too soon.

Give them plenty of time to cool completely.

What to Serve with Pecan Butterballs

These little cookies are practically made for coffee and tea.

Try serving them with:

  • Hot coffee
  • Espresso
  • Black tea
  • Chai tea
  • Hot chocolate
  • Vanilla tea
  • Cold milk
  • Eggnog during the holidays

They're also beautiful alongside other cookies on a holiday dessert platter.

And if you're entertaining, pile them into a pretty bowl and add a little extra powdered sugar right before serving. So simple, but so pretty!

Make-Ahead Instructions

Pecan Butterballs are excellent make-ahead cookies.

You can prepare the dough, shape it into balls, and refrigerate the unbaked cookies until you're ready to bake.

For longer storage, place the shaped dough balls in an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze them.

When you're ready to bake, you can generally bake them from frozen with a little additional baking time. Keep an eye on the first batch so you can determine the exact timing for your oven.

How to Store Pecan Butterballs

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

They should stay delicious for about 5–7 days, although I wouldn't be surprised if the container is empty long before then!

For the best appearance, you can add another light dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

Can You Freeze Pecan Butterballs?

Absolutely.

These cookies freeze very well.

Place completely cooled cookies in an airtight freezer container, separating layers with parchment paper if needed.

Freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality.

Allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving. If the powdered sugar becomes absorbed during freezing, simply give the cookies another delicate dusting after thawing.

General Recipe Information

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 12–15 minutes per batch
Total time: About 35–45 minutes
Yield: Approximately 3 dozen small cookies
Category: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Best for: Holidays, cookie exchanges, afternoon treats, gifting, coffee breaks

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my pecan butterballs falling apart?

These cookies are naturally delicate, but they shouldn't completely crumble when handled.

Make sure you measured the flour correctly and didn't add too much. Also, allow the cookies to cool for several minutes before transferring them from the baking sheet.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes. If salted butter is what you have, you can use it and reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe.

Do I have to use pecans?

Pecans give these cookies their signature flavor, but walnuts are a reasonable substitute.

Why do you roll them in powdered sugar twice?

The warm cookie grabs onto the first layer of sugar, while the second coating creates the beautiful snowy exterior you expect from classic butterball cookies.

Can I make larger cookies?

You can, but smaller cookies are ideal for this recipe.

Larger butterballs may require additional baking time, and you'll want to watch them carefully so the edges don't become too brown.

Can I toast the pecans first?

Absolutely!

Lightly toasting the pecans can make their flavor even richer. Let them cool completely before incorporating them into the dough.

Are pecan butterballs the same as Mexican wedding cookies?

They're very similar in style. Many traditional powdered-sugar pecan cookies go by different names, including Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, snowball cookies, and pecan sandies. Recipes vary slightly in their ingredients and proportions.

Conclusion

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs are proof that you don't need an elaborate recipe to make an unforgettable cookie.

A handful of simple ingredients come together to create something wonderfully buttery, nutty, tender, and sweet. The powdered sugar makes them look festive, while the pecans give every bite that classic homemade flavor.

They're beautiful enough for a holiday cookie platter but easy enough to make just because you're craving something sweet.

And honestly, that's my favorite kind of recipe.

Simple ingredients. Cozy memories. A cookie that practically melts in your mouth. What could be better?!

If you make these Pecan Butterballs, I'd love to hear how they turned out! Leave a review and share a photo on Pinterest so other cookie lovers can see your beautiful batch, too. ❤️

More Pecan and Classic Cookie Recipes to Try

If you loved these buttery pecan cookies, you might also enjoy:

  • Classic Pecan Sandies
  • Old-Fashioned Snowball Cookies
  • Southern Butter Cookies
  • Homemade Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate-Dipped Pecan Cookies
  • Classic Russian Tea Cakes
  • Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per cookie, based on a batch of about 36 cookies and including the powdered sugar coating.

  • Calories: 125
  • Carbohydrates: 11g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated fat: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 35mg

Nutrition will vary depending on the exact ingredients, cookie size, and amount of powdered sugar used.