Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cream butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 4 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar and beat until well combined. Mix in cake flour, pecans, water, and vanilla extract.

Roll dough into balls and place on an ungreased baking pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until pecan balls are lightly brown on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar while still warm.