Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in vanilla and salt.
Gradually add flour until just combined.
Fold in chopped pecans.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on baking sheet, and flatten slightly.
Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Optional: While still warm, roll in powdered sugar for that classic 'snowy' look.
Pulse pecans first until finely ground.
Remove pecans. Add flour + cold butter cubes + powdered sugar + salt to blender.
Pulse until it looks like coarse meal.
Add vanilla and ground pecans. Pulse a few more times until dough just comes together.
Turn dough onto plastic wrap, press into a log, chill for 30 minutes.
Slice into rounds or roll into balls. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.