Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated. If using, fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your hand.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, dust the cookies with additional powdered sugar before serving.