Wedded Bliss Cookies

Step 1 -Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and another oven rack in the bottom third.

Step 2 -Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Step 3 -In a large bowl, add the softened butter, 3/4 cup of the powdered sugar, the vanilla, the orange zest, and the cardamom and using an electric handheld mixer on medium speed, beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4 -Add the flour to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined into a dough.

Step 5 -Add the pecans to the dough and mix on low speed until they are incorporated. Make sure to scrape the bottom and the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 6 -Scoop out mounded tablespoonfuls of the dough and form each mound into a ball.

Step 7 -Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.

Step 8 -Bake the cookies, starting them in the top third of the oven and rotating them to the bottom third of the oven halfway through baking, until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden, about 20-22 minutes.

Step 9 -Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

Step 10 -In a bowl, add 3/4 cup of the remaining powdered sugar.

Step 11 -Dredge the still-warm cookies in the powdered sugar until they are evenly coated.

Step 12 -Transfer the dusted cookies to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to cool completely.

Step 13 -Dust the tops of the cookies with the extra powdered sugar.

Step 14 -Serve.