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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Easy Snowball Cookies Recipe

    Easy Snowball Cookies Recipe

    Published: Oct 6, 2021 · Modified: Nov 12, 2022 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 40 Comments

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    These easy Snowball Cookies are an old fashioned, buttery shortbread cookie with pecans that are dipped in powdered sugar. They’re an elegant treat to enjoy any time of the year and to add to your Holiday season baking!

    Some people know these cookies as Italian wedding cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, and even Russian Tea cookies. I grew up calling Pecan Balls. However you may know them, they are melt-in-your-mouth yumminess that everyone loves.

    Pecan balls were one of my Grandma’s specialties and are truly one of my fondest childhood Christmas traditions and are, by far, my favorite cookies. We made these cookies and these Oreo Balls every year and it’s so great creating the same memories with my own children.

    closeup of Snowball Cookie coated in powdered sugar

    These pecan cookie balls are the best simple and delicious treat that comes together quickly and the dough freezes well. It’s hard to beat cookies shaped like little snowballs right?! They are pure decadence.

    Ingredients Needed

    Butter – a cup of unsalted butter to give that classic, buttery shortbread flavor

    Sugar – just a tad of white sugar gets mixed into the dough

    Water – a small amount of water to moisten the dough

    Vanilla extract – To give it the cookies flavor

    All purpose flour – I have also used Bob’s Red Mill One-to-one flour

    Pecans – chopped finely in a food processor or with a hand held chopper

    Confectioners’ Sugar – to roll and coat the baked cookies in

    Tips and Variations

    Make them with no nuts if you’d like.

    Used chopped walnuts, almonds, or any type of nut you’d like to use.

    Add ⅓ cup of mini chocolate chips if desired.

    Add ½ cup cocoa powder for a chocolate version.

    Chop nut in a food processor or with a hand held chopper.

    Add 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if desired.

    How to Make These Butter Ball Cookies

    Preheat oven to 325 ° F

    Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium speed. You can also use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment as well

    Add in the water and vanilla extract and mix until combined.

    Then add flour and mix on low speed until flour is just mixed in, making sure to scape down the sides of the bowl..

    Add the chopped nuts and gently stir to combine.

    Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours

    Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough into your hand and roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

    Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

    After baking, transfer to a wire rack and cool for 5-10 minutes.

    Place the confectioners’ sugar in a shallow bowl or plastic bag. Roll each baked cookie ball in the powdered sugar while they are still a little warm. Then place them on a sheet of parchment paper .

    Roll in the powdered sugar again for a second time after they have completely cooled to generous coat the outside of the cookies.

    How to Store?

    Store in an airtight container for up to 5-6 days.

    Can snowball cookie dough be frozen?

    Yes, you can place the cookie dough in a freezer bag and freezer for up to one month. The entire ball of dough can be frozen or roll the cookie balls and then freeze them. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature prior to baking.

    Freeze snowball cookies after baking as well. Once they have thawed completely, roll them in powdered sugar again to freshen them up.

     Snowball Cookies shaped into a triable with a star on top

    Try these other easy Holiday treats too:

    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    Easy Peppermint Bark

    Raspberry Pecan Pinwheel Cookies

    Easy Oreo Balls Recipe

    Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies

    closeup of a snowball cookie covered in powdered sugar

    Old Fashioned Snowball Cookies

    These easy Snowball Cookies are a buttery shortbread cookie with pecans that will literally melt in your mouth
    5 from 32 votes
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    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Chill dough: 2 hours
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 48
    Calories: 81kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup butter 2 sticks, softened
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoon water
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups all purpose flour sifted
    • 1 cup pecans chopped
    • ½ cup confectioners Sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 ° F
    • Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream with an electric mixer. You can also use a stand mixer.
    • Add in the water and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
    • Then add flour and mix thoroughly.
    • Add the chopped nuts and gently stir to combine.
    • Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours
    • Roll the chilled dough into 1 inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
    • Bake for 20 minutes.
    • After baking, transfer to a wire rack and cool for 5-10 minutes.
    • Then roll in confectioner's sugar.

    Notes

    Dough is very dense after adding flour.
    Keeping the dough cool is important to the cookies staying nice and round.
    Place the dough back in the refrigerator between batches.
    Make them with no nuts if you’d like.
    Used chopped walnuts, almonds, or any type of nut you’d like to use.
    Add ⅓ cup of mini chocolate chips if desired.
    Add ½ cup cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
    Chop nut in a food processor or with a hand held chopper.
    Add 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ball | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 16mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected

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    Filed Under: Desserts, Holiday Recipes, Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Selina

      November 27, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is just right. The only thing I changed was I didn’t have to chill the dough. And I cooked for 11-12 minutes. Perfect cookie. Yum yum

      Reply
    2. Stephanie Kaiserr

      December 25, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Hands down THE best Snowball Cookie Recipe my husband and I have ever had! I added some chopped walnuts to ours too. Will make these again and again!

      Reply
      • Sherri

        December 26, 2021 at 10:28 am

        I am so happy to hear that!

        Reply
        • Emily Seaman

          December 27, 2021 at 5:47 am

          Im sorry but i couldnt disagrre more! No water OR granulated sugar should ever go into these cookies! They dont need it. They do, however, need 3/4 cup of confectioners sugar and a good pinch of kosher salt! Room temp butter needs no creaming. No need to sift flour! Put all ingredients in bowl (except nuts) and beat together. Dough will be soft and crumbly. Best and only 60 yr old time tested, true BEST recipe. NO need to chill dough! Oh, and store in layers covered in sifted confectioners sugar for freshness.

        • Sherri

          December 28, 2021 at 9:50 am

          This is the recipe my mother always made. They are so loved in our family. 🙂

    3. Denise Sanday

      December 24, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      Why is my dough so dry?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        December 26, 2021 at 10:28 am

        That is normal. It’s a harder dough when chilled. Once you roll them and bake they are perfect. Make sure the dough is chilled so they are nice and round

        Reply
    4. Heather

      December 21, 2021 at 2:04 am

      Hello. Can you please tell me if I should use salted or unsalted butter?

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kaiser

        December 25, 2021 at 10:21 pm

        5 stars
        Hi… I used salted and they came out great!

        Reply
        • Marlene

          January 08, 2022 at 4:24 pm

          Unsalted is better

      • Jean Clark

        December 10, 2022 at 4:17 pm

        Do you use salted or unsalted butter

        Reply
        • Gregg

          December 23, 2022 at 9:19 am

          5 stars
          Salted tastes better with this type of cookie and the nuts.

    5. Katie

      December 03, 2021 at 11:12 pm

      Can you freeze these

      Reply
      • Sherri

        December 04, 2021 at 9:41 am

        You can! You may have to re-roll them in powdered sugar after thawing because the sugar will likely absorb into the cookie. Or you could wait and roll them until you thaw them as well.

        Reply
    6. Brenda

      December 17, 2020 at 11:28 am

      Can’t find Recipe at all ,,,how much butter etc

      Reply
    7. Ann

      December 07, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      These snowball cookies look totally scrumptious! Putting the recipe on my Christmas cookie list. It has all chances to become a holiday favorite. Can’t wait to give these a try.
      Sherri, thank you so much for sharing such a delightful idea and all of your precious tips. I hope the recipe will inspire many of your followers. I’m so glad that I came across your awesome blog a few days ago. I’m your real fan. Keep up the good work!

      Best wishes,
      Ann

      Reply
    8. Roseann Hampton

      December 04, 2016 at 5:34 pm

      My aunt used to make these every Christmas when I was young – they were always my favorite!

      Reply
    9. Miz Helen

      December 03, 2016 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      We will love your Old Fashioned Snowball Cookies, they look awesome! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    10. Linda Nelson

      December 02, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      These are all-time classic favorites. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    11. easypeasylifematters

      December 01, 2016 at 2:24 pm

      These sound and look so perfect for Christmas! Yum! 🙂

      Reply
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    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

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