Cookie Day 7: Pecan Meltaways

Although cookies can be enjoyed all year round, there's definitely something special about having certain cookies come out during the holidays. For Cookie Day 7, these Pecan Meltaways certain are one of those cookies. Maybe it's the way they are dusted with powdered sugar, just like a light snowfall. Maybe it's the way they melt in your mouth, which is even better with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Whatever the reason, today's cookie is another nod to my mother in law, Marnee. Her Pecan Meltaways are often known as other names... such as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Snowballs, Russian Tea Cakes, etc. At our house, they're just known as "Grandma's Pecan Yummies." Regardless of how you call these cookies, they are a great cookie studded with pecans, rich with buttery goodness and a subtle dose of powdered sugar....

This is such a great cookie because it's ridiculously easy to make and can even be made in advance. Requiring only a handful of ingredients you may already have, these are great to whip up and have dough waiting until ready to bake. You can prepare the dough either as a rolled log and slice cookie (the favorite technique Marnee likes for her holiday cookies) or you can roll the dough into balls and flatten with your palm or hand, as the recipe below states. If you have little ones, this is another fun cookie recipe to get them involved in! For other variations, you can substitute the pecans for other nuts (cashews or even walnuts) or perhaps throw in some mini chocolate chips too!

Pecan Meltaways

recipe from my mother in law, Marnee

1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups flour
pinch of salt
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup oil
powdered sugar for dusting


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the oil until crumbly.

Slowly add the oil and mix well.

Roll into balls about 3/4 inches in diameter and flatten with a fork.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool.