Preheat the oven to 350° F (180° C).
In a bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
Add in 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Add in the all-purpose flour and salt along with the optional pecans, if desired. Mix until a smooth and soft dough forms.
Scoop 1 tbsp of dough out and roll into a ball. Arrange on a parchment paper or silicone lined baking sheet.
Repeat with remaining dough.Bake at 350°F (180° C) for 7-9 minutes, until the bottoms just begin to turn brown.
Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes and then roll each cookie in the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
Let the cookies finish cooling and then roll one more time in the powdered sugar.
Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.