1. Prepare the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy (about 2-3 minutes).

3. Add Vanilla and Salt

• Mix in the vanilla extract and salt, ensuring they are evenly incorporated.

4. Incorporate the Flour

• Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture. Stir gently until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as it can affect the texture of the cookies.

5. Fold in the Pecans

• Using a spatula, fold the chopped pecans into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout.

6. Shape the Cookies

• Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls using your hands.
• Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
• Gently press each ball down to slightly flatten it into a cookie shape.

7. Bake the Cookies

• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
• Avoid overbaking to maintain the cookies’ soft texture.

8. Cool and Serve

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, enjoy as-is or dust with additional powdered sugar for a festive touch.