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    Home » Snowball Cookies

    Snowball Cookies

    Published: Nov 29, 2020 · Modified: Jul 14, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Pecan Snowball Cookies are easy to make with 7 ingredients. They are buttery, nutty, and melt-in your mouth delicious. These butterball cookies are an old family recipe, and a must-make Christmas cookie!

    front view of a plate of Snowball Cookies

    These Snowball Cookies are an old family recipe I've been enjoying my entire life. My mom made them every Christmas, and one bite transports me back to my childhood and the eager anticipation of Christmas morning. 

    In my house we called these butterball cookies! They are easy to make with just 7 ingredients. They're buttery, nutty, melt-in your mouth delicious and the perfect Christmas cookie. 

    up close view of snowball cookies

    Snowball Cookies: Ingredients & Substitutions

    Let's chat about the ingredients in this snowball cookie recipe, as well as possible substitutions. 

    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted, no problems. 
    • Powdered sugar. I do not recommend making substitutions for powdered sugar. You can make your own if you don't have any. 
    • All-purpose flour. I recommend unbleached, all-purpose flour for the best results. 
    • Fine sea salt. Regular, iodized table salt can be substituted. 
    • Pecans. You can substitute walnuts or almonds for the pecans. You can also leave them out and increase the flour by ¼ cup, if desired. 
    overhead view of the ingredients in this snowball cookie recipe

    How to make Snowball Cookies

    This pecan snowball cookies recipe is easy to make in a standing mixer or with a hand-held mixer. Check out the step-by-step instructions below and don't forget to watch the video. 

    Combine dry ingredients

    In a small bowl, combine flour and sea salt, set aside.

    Beat together butter, sugar & vanilla

    In the bowl of a standing mixer, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat butter until fluffy (about 1 minute). Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat for 1 minute.

    two overhead photos showing how to make snowball cookies

    Combine dry ingredients & pecans

    Add flour/salt mixture and beat on low speed, then increasing to medium-high until the mixture consists of large, coarse crumbs. Then, add pecans and stir until evenly distributed.

    two overhead photos showing how to make snowball cookies

    Chill

    Transfer the snowball cookie dough to an airtight container and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight.

    Portion & Roll

    When you're ready to bake the pecan snowball cookies, preheat the oven and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

    Remove the snowball cookie dough from the refrigerator and use a measuring spoon to measure out 1 tablespoon portions of dough. Roll each portion of dough into a ball and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.

    two overhead photos showing how to make snowball cookies

    Bake

    Bake the rolled butterball cookies  in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden-brown and tops are set. The dough should not spread, it should remain a ball shape.

    Cool

    Remove the baked snowball cookies from the oven and let cool on the baking pan for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, transfer the snowball cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool for 15 additional minutes.

    two overhead photos showing how to make snowball cookies

    Coat in powdered sugar

    After 15 minutes, place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and coat each cookie in powdered sugar while they are still very slightly warm, then return them to the cooling rack to cool completely, then enjoy! I do like to sneak one when they're slightly warm. 

    Overhead photo showing coating a snowball cookie in powdered sugar

    To store:

    Store these snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. 

    How to freeze snowball cookies

    You can freeze baked pecan snowball cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them fresh (preferred). 

    front view of a stack of snowball cookies on a plate

    FAQs

    Why do my snowball cookies go flat?

    These snowball cookies should not flatten. If they do it's likely the dough wasn't chilled long enough and the ingredients were too warm to begin with so they spread. It's also possible you accidentally measured the ingredients incorrectly!

    Can I double this recipe?

    Absolutely, this recipe doubles very well. You can click on the "2X" button in the recipe card for ingredient measurements of a double recipe.

    How long do snowball cookies last?

    They last for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

    How do you get powdered sugar to stick to cookies?

    Make sure to roll the snowball cookies in powdered sugar after they have cooled slightly but are still warm. The warmth from the cookie helps bind the powder sugar to the outside.

    Is icing sugar same as powdered sugar?

    Yes, it is called confectioner's sugar, powdered sugar and icing sugar and it's all the same product.

    overhead photo fo a snowball cookie cut in half to show the inside

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Snowball Cookies

    Pecan Snowball Cookies

    Laura
    Pecan Snowball Cookies are easy to make with 7 ingredients. They are buttery, nutty, and melt-in your mouth delicious. These butterball cookies are an old family recipe, and a must-make Christmas cookie!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Chilling 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
    Course cookies, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18 Cookies
    Calories 129 kcal

    Equipment

    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • baking sheet
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup salted butter
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
    • ½ cup pecans finely diced
    • 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, combine flour and sea salt, set aside.
    • In the bowl of a standing mixer, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat butter until fluffy (about 1 minute).
    • Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat for 1 minute.
    • Add flour/salt mixture and beat on low speed, then increasing to medium-high until the mixture consists of large, coarse crumbs (about 60 seconds).
    • Add pecans and stir until evenly distributed.
    • Transfer dough to an airtight container and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Remove dough from the refrigerator and use a 1 TBS measuring spoon to measure out 1 TBS portions of dough.
    • Roll each portion of dough into a ball and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned and tops are set. The dough should not spread, it should remain a ball shape.
    • Remove cookies from the oven and let cool on the baking pan for 5 minutes.
    • Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool for 15 additional minutes.
    • After 10 minutes, place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and coat each cookie in powdered sugar while they are slightly warm, then return them to the cooling rack to cool completely.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions: 

    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted butter. 
    • Powdered sugar. I do not recommend making substitutions for powdered sugar. 
    • All-purpose flour. I recommend unbleached, all-purpose flour for the best results. 
    • Fine sea salt. Regular, iodized table salt can be substituted. 
    • Pecans. You can substitute walnuts or almonds for the pecans. You can also leave them out and increase the flour by ¼ cup, if desired. 

    Store

    Store these snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. 

    Freeze

    You can freeze baked pecan snowball cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them fresh (preferred). 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookieCalories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 78mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 158IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Christmas Recipes

    If you're looking for more delicious Christmas treats, check out these Christmas recipes: 

    • Check out our roundup of all of our favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes! 
    • Cozy up with a mug of this peppermint hot chocolate and one of these pecan snowball cookies for the perfect Christmas treat!
    • Make this Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow) for a delicious & festive treat. 
    • We take our cookies seriously around here, some of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes would make a great addition, alongside these peppermint brownies, to any cookie tray. Peanut butter blossoms, Cut Out Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Soft Gingerbread Cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies, and the best No-Bake Cookies.
    • You have to try these Peppermint Brownies!
    • Looking for an easy bar recipe? These No-bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars and these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars (think peanut butter cups in bar form) are some of my all-time favorite easy Christmas treats. Also these chocolate chip cookie bars are so good. 

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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