Makes about 2 dozen cookies We have been making these cookies—the perfect accompaniment to a scoop of ice cream—since we first worked together at 42 Degrees. To give the cookies a nice crunch, we roll the shaped dough in granulated sugar. Then, after baking, we give them a snowy coating of powdered sugar.
CHILLING TIME: 1 to 2 hours or up to overnight
SHELF LIFE: 1 week
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE DOUGH
- 1 cup (8 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup (4½ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (4½ ounces) cake flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar, measured then sifted
- ½ cup chopped toasted pecans (see Buying and Using Nuts)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
FOR ROLLING
- About ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- About ½ cup powdered sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
MAKE THE DOUGH AND CHILL
- Combine all the dough ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
- Mix on low speed at first, and then increase to medium-low speed and continue mixing until the dough is smooth and just comes together in a solid mass, about 1½ minutes. Do not mix beyond this point or the cookies will be tough.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm, 1 to 2 hours or up to overnight.
BAKE THE COOKIES
- When you’re ready to bake, position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick mats.
- Scoop up 1½ tablespoons of dough and form the dough into a ball. Repeat until all the dough has been shaped. Roll the balls in the granulated sugar and arrange them 1½ inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 9 minutes, then rotate the sheets top to bottom and front to back. Continue to bake until the cookies are firm to the touch and golden brown on the bottom edge, 6 to 9 minutes longer. Let cool on the baking sheets. Once the cookies have cooled, roll them in the powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
- You can use any type of nut you like. Almonds and walnuts are really tasty, or you can try the Spiced Pecans.
- Add ½ cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate along with the other ingredients
