Martha Stewart Noel Nut Balls Recipe

This Martha Stewart Noel Nut Balls Recipe is a tender and buttery holiday cookie, which includes pecans and honey. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, perfect for gift-giving or festive cookie trays, and yields about 5 dozen cookies.

Martha Stewart Noel Nut Balls Recipe Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, sifted
• ¾ cup finely chopped pecans (best if chopped by hand)
• ½ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar, plus more for rolling
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon bourbon or fresh orange juice

How To Make Martha Stewart Noel Nut Balls Recipe

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pecans, confectioners’ sugar, and salt.
2. Cream butter and honey: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and honey on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add flavoring and dry mixture: Mix in the bourbon or orange juice just until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until dough just comes together.
4. Chill the dough: Turn the dough out onto plastic wrap, wrap tightly, and chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
5. Preheat oven and form balls: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into balls using about 2 teaspoons per cookie. Place them 2 inches apart on prepared sheets.
6. Bake the cookies: Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the bottoms and edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool and sugar-coat: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Roll cooled cookies in confectioners’ sugar to coat.

Recipe Tips

• Why chill the dough?
  Chilling helps firm up the dough so the cookies don’t spread and keeps the texture crisp and delicate.
• Can I make these ahead of time?
  Yes, the dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days in advance.
• Best way to chop pecans:
  Use a knife instead of a food processor for the best texture—finely chopped, not powdered.
• Can I use other nuts?
  Yes! Walnuts or almonds work well if you don’t have pecans.
• How to get a perfect powdered sugar coating:
  Roll cookies in sugar once completely cool. For an extra snowy look, roll a second time before serving.

What To Serve With Noel Nut Balls

These buttery cookies pair well with festive beverages and other treats like:

• Hot cocoa
• Spiced tea or mulled cider
• Espresso or cappuccino
• Other holiday cookies (e.g., gingerbread, shortbread)
• Fresh fruit like clementines or apples

How To Store Noel Nut Balls

Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.

Freeze:
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and re-roll in confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Noel Nut Balls Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~95
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Sugar: 4g
• Protein: 1g
• Sodium: 20mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on portion size and ingredients used.

FAQs

Can I skip the bourbon?
Yes, use fresh orange juice instead for a citrusy twist.

Why did my cookies flatten?
The dough may not have been chilled long enough. Always chill for at least 3 hours.

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and check for consistency when forming balls.

Do I need to sift the confectioners’ sugar?
Yes, sifting ensures a smooth coating and prevents clumps in the dough.

Try More Recipes:

• Martha Stewart Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
• Martha Stewart Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
• Martha Stewart Royal Icing Recipe