Galletitas De Nuez (Mexican Wedding Cookies)

Ingredients

• ¾ cup pecans
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract (preferably Mexican)
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps

1. 1

   In a food processor, combine the pecans and ¼ cup sugar, and process until finely ground, about 30 seconds.

2. 2

   Add remaining sugar along with flour, cinnamon, and salt, and pulse until evenly incorporated.

3. 3

   Add butter and vanilla, and process until dough just comes together and you can form the balls. If the dough is too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water (1 at the time), and process again until you reach a more solid consistency.

4. 4

   Shape dough into ½" thick balls (use a small cookie dough scoop for sizing purposes) and place on a tray/plate that you can fit in the fridge. Chill cookies for 30 minutes.

5. 5

   While the cookies chill in the fridge, preheat oven to 350°.

6. 6

   Transfer balls to a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spacing them 2" apart.

7. 7

   Bake the cookies, rotating baking sheet front to back halfway through baking, until lightly browned and set, about 14 to 17 minutes.

8. 8

   Let cool for 5 minutes, and then place in bowl of confectioners' sugar; toss to coat evenly in sugar.