A season for baking

As you know, I have never baked in my life until culinary school. I have always preferred savory than sweet.  However since my pastry classes in school, I have grown to love baking and have occasionally made some wonderful sweet treats.

As this holiday season is fast approaching, I decided to make one of my favorites which is pecan balls. When you bite into it, it is light as air.  The cookie melts into your mouth then you taste the crunchiness and the nuttiness of the pecans which makes them a perfect combination. Other than being so delicious, I think they are my favorites because they are so easy to make. Also since they are covered with confectioner’s sugar, they look so festive during the holiday season. They are a great treat to give to your friends and families. So here's the recipe for any of you who wants to try your hands at baking something delicious in no time. I assure you everyone will love these and will want the recipe.

This recipe makes approximately 60 balls. I recommend using a scale if you have one since it's the most accurate.

1 pound of unsalted butter (4 sticks - room temperature)
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of water
1 1/2 pounds (5 cups) of all purpose flour
1 cup of chopped toasted pecan
1 to 2 cups of confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Cream the butter with the sugar and salt with either a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Once the sugar is incorporated into the butter, add the vanilla extract, then water. Gradually add flour and mix to incorporate. Once you see the flour is well mixed into the butter then add the pecans. Do not over mix.

Spray 2 cookies sheets with non-stick spray and put aside.
To portion the cookie, you may use a teaspoon.
Roll each portion in the palm of your hands to make a walnut-sized ball.
Place each ball an inch apart on the cookie sheet so when the cookies spread, they won't stick together.

 

 

Bake for about 20 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned.
I also suggest after 10 minutes, rotate each tray to avoid uneven baking. If you are using multiple racks in the oven, they may take longer than 20 minutes.

After the cookies are done, transferred them to a cooling rack. When they are completely cooled, roll them in the confectioner's sugar.

Enjoy!