Grandma's Festive Christmas Cookies

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Grandma's Festive Christmas Cookies.

1. Step 1

   Begin by preheating your oven to a cozy 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking those delightful cookies!

2. Step 2

   In a mixing bowl, combine the sifted all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Give it a good stir to blend the dry ingredients together.

3. Step 3

   In a large bowl, beat together the softened margarine, butter, and white sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This is where the magic begins!

4. Step 4

   Add one egg to the butter mixture and continue beating until it's fully incorporated. Then, add the second egg along with the vanilla extract, mixing on low speed until everything is well combined.

5. Step 5

   Now, gently fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; we want those cookies to be tender!

6. Step 6

   With your hands, gently mix in the ground pecans, adding a lovely crunch to each bite.

7. Step 7

   Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball. They’ll spread out beautifully while baking!

8. Step 8

   Pop the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for about 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Your kitchen will soon be filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies!

9. Step 9

   Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 8 minutes. This helps them set perfectly.

10. Step 10

    While they’re still warm, place some confectioners' sugar in a bowl and lightly dip both sides of each cookie into the sugar. Tap off any excess sugar and let the cookies finish cooling on a wire rack.