Snowball Cookies are rich, buttery cookies that are full of chopped pecans and twice rolled in sugar for a powdery coating. Also known as Russian Tea Cakes and Mexican Wedding Cookies (among others), these are classic holiday cookies. But, they are easy enough to make whenever you are craving a nutty treat. And, they look like little snowballs, which works for me since we get a lot of snow here! For another popular and fun holiday cookie, check out my Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Be sure the unsalted butter is at room temperature before making the cookies. I prefer using unsalted butter to have more control over the salt added. If using salted butter, you may want to lessen the salt in the recipe.
Pecans: To finely chop the pecans, you could use a food processor or chop by hand. Or, try walnuts or almonds if preferred!
How to Store Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies will last up to 3 days at room temperature, in a sealed container, or up to 2 weeks if stored in the refrigerator. Add them to your Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board when ready to enjoy!
Can I Freeze Snowball Cookies?
Yes, snowball cookies are a wonderful way to get a head start on your holiday treats! They can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 6 months. Remember to use a freezer-safe container and add a label and date. Check out my freezing, baking, and storing cookies for more helpful hints!
Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups (187.5 g) confectioners' sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (105 g) pecans, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the butter with ½ cup of the confectioners' sugar and vanilla.
- Starting on low speed, add the flour, pecans, and salt. Increase speed to medium until all ingredients are incorporated. The mixture will look like coarse sand.
- Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, drop balls of dough onto a lined baking sheet. Use your hands to roll each into balls. Place them onto the lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until light golden brown. (You don't want them too brown.)
- Remove cookies from the oven and while still hot, roll each in the remaining cup of confectioners' sugar. Set coated cookies back on the lined baking sheets to cool.
- Once cool, roll the snowball cookies in the confectioners' sugar a second time. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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So good
My favorite Christmas cookie, one year I used ground roasted almonds just to see how it would work…..was as good as pecans !!!! Love em both now.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!
I like your baking style. I loved all of your baked goods. Keep posting yummy goods. Thank you 😊😊
This Snowball Cookie recipe I’ve seen and JUST made tonight is called different names. My Mom’s recipe is called Mexican Wedding Cookies. It is the exact same recipe with the exception that we use cake flour (2T baking powder added to a cup measure then filled with flour to finish the cup and sifted three times). The cookies are delicate to the point of crumbly if you aren’t careful handling the first of two powdered sugar dustings (Once fresh out of the oven & the second dusting after they’ve completely cooled.)
Exactly the recipe I use!! Only down here (South Texas) we call them Sand Tarts, or LADY FINGERS. I make batches of them for gifting. This recipe lends itself for use in various ways. I sometimes incorporate finely chopped cranberries and walnuts.
these easy delicate, and yummy holiday cookies are a must, they will be a tradition in our family. Thanks for posting & sharing
Is sooo delicious
Love your recipes!!
When making snowball cookies I substituted pecans with mini chocolate chips as I have a grandchild with nut allergy – worked well.
Love this cookie.l usualy coat it with sugar and milk powder.l don’t use butter but ghee.Children likes it.