Pecan Finger Cookies with Powdered Sugar (2024)

Pecan powdered sugar cookies may be my favorite cookie of all time. It’s a really hard call because my Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies are ridiculously good. My husband’s favorite by a landslide is the Fleur de Sel Chocolate Chip Cookie. Your job is to make all three and then report back!

This is my family recipe for Pecan Christmas Cookies.

I know it’s a little early to start thinking about Christmas cookies. But then again, is it?

Maybe it’s the relentless heat that we have been having, but I’m so ready for Fall’s crisper air and all the comforting smells of holiday cooking.

What you’ll love about this recipe

• This recipe is a classic: I’ve seen a million versions of pecan cookies with powdered sugar. But, this recipe is an old-time classic cookie recipe.
• Perfect two-bite size: They’re nutty, sweet, and just a tiny bit salty. They are messy, sugary, magic!

Recipe Notes

This recipe comes from my Grammy Futrell. I make my Grammy’s rolled pecan cookie recipe every year during the holidays.

These cookies are similar to a shortbread cookie, and kind of like a pecan sandies cookie. Once out of the oven, and slightly cooled, toss these cookies in powdered sugar. The cookies themselves are more nutty than sweet.

Ingredients

• Butter: I always use unsalted European butter to make these cookies.
• Sugar: You’ll need powdered sugar and brown sugar.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is called or in the recipe. To make these gluten-free, I’ve used King Arthur’s One to One (affiliate link) and it works beautifully.
• Pecans: I like to use pecan halves and toast them lightly before processing them in the food processor.
• Vanilla: I usually use Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Vanilla.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream together sugars and butter.
2. Add the vanilla and water. Mix.
3. Add the flour, nuts, and salt. Mix until combined.
4. Cover the dough or wrap it in plastic. Set in the fridge for a few hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 250℉. Shape the dough into the desired shape: fingers, crescents or balls.
6. Place on a parchment-lined or (ungreased) cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
8. Set on a baking rack to cool slightly.
9. Roll warm cookies in extra powdered sugar.

FAQs and Expert Tips

Variations of this Mexican Wedding Cookie

These easy pecan finger cookies are also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes.

The recipes for these three cookies are essentially the same. The type of nut varies depending on which one you are making.

• Mexican Wedding Cookies: Mexican wedding cookies are shaped into balls. After they bake, they end up being a bite-sized little dome of nutty deliciousness. You can use almonds are used instead of chopped pecans.
• Russain Tea Cakes: These cookies are shaped like snowball cookies but typically contain walnuts.
• Pecan Snowballs: Are all shaped as balls then baked. They’re rolled in powdered sugar while still warm.

You can either roll these cookies in powdered sugar (my favorite) or you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar.

Keto Pecan Christmas Cookies

Because I love these cookie so much, I’ve even created a Keto version of this cookie. With only 1 net carb per cookie.

Honestly, I couldn’t really tell the difference from the original.

Snowballs vs Cresent Shaped cookies

Most often Mexican wedding cookies are round snowball cookies covered with powdered sugar.

My mom would usually make these cookies and shape them like pecan crescents.

I’ve held on to my Grammy’s tradition of making these into fingers. Whatever shape you end up deciding to make, you will not be disappointed.

Other Cookie Recipes that you need to try