Magical Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterballs Recipe for Bliss

Sweet and buttery pecan butterballs dance with irresistible Georgia O’Keeffe–inspired charm.

These delicate cookies melt softly in your mouth with a rich, nutty essence.

Generations of bakers have cherished this classic recipe passed down through kitchens.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to create a delightful treat that connects culinary tradition with artistic inspiration.

Crisp edges and powdery sugar coating promise a sublime moment of pure indulgence.

Bake these heavenly morsels and watch them disappear within moments of emerging from the oven.

The aroma of toasted pecans and butter will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to savor each delectable bite.

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Pecan Butterball Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture, choose unbleached flour for better taste and quality.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender texture, select high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and moisture, opt for local raw honey for deeper flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm aromatic undertones, choose pure vanilla extract over artificial versions.

• Pecans: Delivers nutty crunch and depth, select fresh, whole pecans and chop just before mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate coating and sweet finish, use fresh, sifted sugar for smooth coverage.

Tools That Make Butterball Prep Effortless

• Mixing Bowls: Medium and large sizes for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Hand Whisk: Perfect for beating butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth.
• Sifter: Essential for evenly blending flour and salt, preventing lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate recipe results.
• Baking Sheet: Flat surface for evenly baking pecan butterballs.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cookie removal.
• Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain their crisp texture.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding pecans into dough and scraping bowl edges.

How to Shape and Bake These Pecan Butterballs

• Warm Up the Oven

Get your kitchen toasty by heating the oven to a gentle 300F, creating the perfect cozy baking environment.

• Craft the Dough

Blend softened butter with sweet honey and fragrant vanilla until they dance together smoothly. Gently fold in flour and pecans, creating a delicate mixture that whispers comfort.

• Shape Sweet Morsels

Roll the dough into delightful little balls, placing them carefully on a prepared baking sheet. Each ball should be a perfect one-inch treasure.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Let the cookies transform in the warm oven for 40-45 minutes. Watch for soft golden edges that signal they’re ready to be transformed.

• Sugar Coat with Love

While cookies are still warm, tenderly roll each one in powdered sugar. Thisal coating turns them into delicate snowballs of deliciousness.

• Final Sugar Embrace

Once cooled, give these treats another loving dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of winter wonderland charm.

Tips to Enhance Flavor or Texture

• Roll cookies in powdered sugar while still warm for maximum sugar adhesion.
• Prepare dough in advance and refrigerate up to 3 days before baking for enhanced flavor development.
• Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup and use monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly version.
• Lightly toast pecans before chopping to intensify their rich, nutty flavor and add extra depth to the cookies.

Serve These Buttery Cookies for Holidays or Tea

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these delicate butterballs with a steaming mug of medium-roast coffee or creamy chai tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
• Holiday Gift Charm: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, creating a homemade gift that shows personal warmth and culinary love.
• Tea Party Delight: Arrange butterballs on a vintage china plate alongside lavender shortbread or mini fruit tarts for an elegant dessert spread during afternoon tea gatherings.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Create a stunning cookie display by mixing these powdery pecan butterballs with chocolate truffles and almond crescents, offering guests a variety of textures and flavors.

Keep Butterballs Tasting Fresh with Simple Storage

• Prepare a double batch and freeze half the dough for future spontaneous baking sessions, saving time and ensuring fresh cookies whenever cravings strike.
• Store finished butterballs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain delicate texture.
• Wrap unbaked dough balls in plastic wrap, place in a sealed freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Prepare dough up to 3 days before baking and refrigerate. Allow dough to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping and baking to ensure perfect consistency.

FAQs

• Are these cookies difficult to make?

These butterballs are surprisingly simple! With just a few ingredients and basic mixing steps, even beginner bakers can successfully create these delicate pecan cookies.

• Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work wonderfully as substitutes. Just chop them finely to maintain the delicate texture of the cookie.

• How do I prevent the cookies from crumbling?

Be gentle when rolling and coating the cookies. Let them cool slightly before the first sugar coating, and handle them carefully to keep their shape intact.

• Why do these cookies have honey in the recipe?

Honey adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a softer, more tender texture compared to using only sugar. It also contributes to the cookies’ rich, complex flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 25

Mouthwatering Georgia Okeeffes Pecan Butterballs Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Pecan butterballs honor Georgia O’Keeffe’s southwestern culinary heritage with delicate nutty cookies. Rich almond flour and chopped pecans create elegant, powdered sugar-dusted treats perfect for afternoon tea or holiday gatherings. Bakers will savor this delightful connection to artistic tradition.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (220 g) finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for rolling)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• 3 teaspoons (15 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300F (150C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour and salt together in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry base for the cookie dough.
3. Butter Mixture Creation: Whip softened butter, honey, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy consistency that captures the essence of the ingredients.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually fold the flour mixture into the butter base, combining with minimal stirring to prevent overworking the dough and maintain a delicate texture.
5. Pecan Integration: Delicately fold chopped pecans throughout the dough, ensuring an even distribution of nutty richness and crunchy elements.
6. Cookie Shaping and Positioning: Mold the dough into 1-inch spheres and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving adequate space between each cookie to allow for gentle expansion.
7. Baking and Browning: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, watching for a subtle golden edge that signals the cookies’ perfect doneness.
8. Initial Cooling and Sugar Coating: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes; while still warm, generously roll each cookie in powdered sugar, creating a luxurious, snow-like exterior.
9. Final Presentation: Allow cookies to cool completely, with an optional second dusting of powdered sugar to enhance their ethereal, winter-inspired appearance before serving.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature, not melted, for the perfect creamy base and consistent cookie texture.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix dough minimally to prevent tough cookies; overmixing activates gluten and creates dense, chewy results instead of delicate butterballs.
• Uniform Cookie Size: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create consistent 1-inch spheres, guaranteeing even baking and professional-looking presentation.
• Powdered Sugar Coating Trick: Wait until cookies are just warm but not hot before rolling in powdered sugar to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, even sugar layer.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg