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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Easy Snowball Cookies Recipe

    Published: Oct 6, 2021 · Modified: Dec 6, 2024 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 52 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
    4.85 from 53 votes
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Chill dough: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 48
    Calories: 81kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup butter salted 2 sticks, softened
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoon water optional
    • 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 vanilla extract and water 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

    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.
    Add 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if desired.
    Tips:
    Chop nuts in a food processor or with a hand held chopper.
    Make them with no nuts if you’d like.
    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.
     
     

    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

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chelle

      December 22, 2024 at 9:35 am

      1 star
      Don’t use this recipe. Not sure why I tried a new one instead of the one I have. Cookies flatten like others said. I’ve never had that happen. Oven temp is too low. Should be around 375. Had to cook them longer as they started to fall apart when rolling in powdered sugar. Will be making another batch with my momma
      Recipe.

      Reply
    2. Nan

      December 01, 2024 at 3:20 pm

      The cookies do not stay in a ball. I’ve tried a couple of other recipes and the difference is this one uses too much granulated sugar. I think that’s why they flatten because my dough chilled for 2 hours and never got to room temperature before baking.

      Reply
    3. Marly

      December 22, 2023 at 12:55 pm

      Followed exactly. Cookies flattened no balls like expected.

      Reply
      • Nancy

        November 12, 2024 at 10:38 am

        1 star
        Cookies flattened

        Reply
        • Sherri

          November 18, 2024 at 8:07 am

          If they flatten, they have probably gotten too warm during the rolling process. You can place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before baking them. Also place the dough back in the refrigerator between batches.

    4. Krissy D

      December 02, 2023 at 8:49 am

      Bad experience- cookies dread did not stay in ball shape. Couldn’t coat in sugar. Sprinkled/dusted instead.
      Was there supposed to be baking powder in with the flour?

      Reply
      • Virgie L.

        December 22, 2023 at 1:03 am

        I had the same exact problem, I’ve made these cookies before, I couldn’t find my recipe, this the first time they flattened.

        Reply
      • Sherri

        December 23, 2023 at 10:31 am

        A couple of things can cause this. 1. When the butter gets too hot too fast. Make sure you start with butter at room temperature. It shouldn’t be too soft and shouldn’t be melted. 2. When the cookie dough gets too warm before the cookies start baking. You can chill the ball after rolling for a few minutes so the butter doesn’t melt too quick once putting them in the oven.

        Reply
      • Maria

        January 01, 2024 at 10:00 am

        5 stars
        Happy New Year 2024 !!! God bless you and family !!!

        Reply
    5. Dianne J.

      November 07, 2023 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      I cant wait to make these and more of your Recipes
      Thank You for Sharing

      Reply
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    4.85 from 53 votes (38 ratings without comment)

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