Dreamy Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Soft, melt-in-your-mouth pecan snowball cookies dance with buttery elegance on holiday dessert tables.

Powdery white sugar coats each delicate morsel like fresh winter frost.

Nutty pecans nestle inside tender dough, creating irresistible bites of comfort.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these delightful spheres of sweet simplicity.

Generations of bakers pass down this cherished recipe, whisking memories into every batch.

Delicate and crumbly, these cookies promise a moment of pure, nostalgic bliss.

You’ll want to savor each heavenly bite and share the magic with everyone around you.

Why You’ll Love Pecan Snowball Cookies Year-Round

• Create Holiday Magic: These pecan snowball cookies transform simple ingredients into delightful winter treats that capture festive cheer and bring families together around the kitchen.
• Master Easy Baking: Perfect for beginner bakers, this recipe requires minimal technical skills and delivers professional-looking results with straightforward mixing and rolling techniques.
• Customize with Creativity: Swap pecans with other nuts like walnuts or almonds, or add a hint of cinnamon to personalize these classic cookies to suit individual taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Soft, buttery, and delicately sweet, these cookies appeal to all ages, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and special family celebrations.

What You’ll Need to Bake Perfect Pecan Snowballs

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender, crumbly texture for the cookies.
• Pecans: Adds nutty crunch and depth of flavor to the traditional snowball cookie.
• Flour: Serves as the primary structure and binding agent for the cookie dough.

• Confectioners' Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Create a delicate sweetness and complex aromatic profile for the cookies.

• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

How to Make Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Station

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Butter Mixture

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Whip these ingredients until they become light, fluffy, and look like a cloud of deliciousness. This should take about 3-5 minutes of passionate mixing.

Step 3: Form the Perfect Cookie Dough

• All-purpose flour
• A pinch of salt

Mix until the ingredients come together into a smooth, cohesive dough. Don’t overmix – you want a tender cookie.

Step 4: Add Nutty Goodness

Gently fold in chopped pecans, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. These little nutty bits will provide a wonderful crunch.

Step 5: Shape Delicate Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small, adorable 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some breathing room between each cookie.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Watch carefully – you want the bottoms to be just lightly golden, not dark brown.

Step 7: Cool and First Sugar Coating

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 3-5 minutes. While they’re still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar.

This first coating creates a magical initial layer.

Step 8: Final Sugar Dusting

Once the cookies have completely cooled, give them another loving roll in powdered sugar.

This creates that classic snowball look and adds an extra touch of sweetness.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange your beautiful pecan snowball cookies on a serving plate.

They’re perfect with coffee, tea, or as a delightful after-dinner treat. Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh and delicious.

Best Tips for Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

• Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the cookies.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better dough consistency.
• Ensure cookies are still warm when first rolled in powdered sugar for better coating and classic snowball appearance.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Creative Spins for Classic Snowball Cookies

• Chocolate-Kissed Snowballs: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a rich chocolate flavor that melts into the cookie. Sprinkle cocoa powder with the final sugar coating for extra depth.
• Coconut Crunch Snowballs: Replace half the pecans with shredded coconut for a tropical texture. Roll finished cookies in toasted coconut flakes for added crunch and visual appeal.
• Spiced Winter Snowballs: Mix ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into the dough for a warm, festive touch. Dust with a blend of confectioners' sugar and spices for a fragrant finish.
• Citrus Zest Snowballs: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the cookie dough for a bright, refreshing taste.

What to Serve with Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Pair Creamy Hot Chocolate: Indulge in a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the nutty, buttery texture of the pecan snowball cookies, creating a luxurious winter treat.
• Match Vanilla Bean Latte: Brew a smooth, aromatic vanilla bean latte that echoes the cookies' delicate vanilla notes and provides a warm, comforting beverage pairing.
• Serve with Caramel Espresso: Enjoy a shot of caramel-infused espresso that highlights the sweet, toasty pecan flavor and adds a sophisticated coffee undertone to the delicate cookies.
• Complement with Spiced Chai Tea: Sip a warming chai tea with hints of cinnamon and cardamom that beautifully enhances the cookies' subtle nutty sweetness and creates a cozy flavor experience.

Keeping Snowball Cookies Fresh and Tasty

• Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicate texture and powdery sweetness.
• Freezer Storage: Carefully pack cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring they remain fresh and crumbly.
• Reheating Room Temperature: Remove cookies from storage and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Gently dust with fresh confectioners' sugar before serving to restore their classic snowball appearance.
• Gentle Oven Refresh: Warm cookies at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their original texture.

FAQs for Holiday-Perfect Pecan Snowballs

• Are pecan snowball cookies traditional holiday treats?

Yes, these cookies are classic Christmas and holiday favorites, often served at family gatherings and festive celebrations across the United States.

• Why do these cookies have a powdery white appearance?

The double coating of confectioners’ sugar creates their signature snowy, powdery white look, which resembles little snowballs, giving them their unique name.

• Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Walnuts are an excellent alternative to pecans and will provide a similar texture and nutty flavor to the cookies.

• How do I prevent the cookies from crumbling?

Ensure the butter is at room temperature and mix the dough gently to maintain a cohesive texture, and let the cookies cool slightly before rolling in sugar to help them hold together.

Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Melt-in-your-mouth pecan snowball cookies bring winter magic to classic holiday treats. Sweet Mexican wedding cookie traditions inspire these powdery white spheres that dance with nutty richness you’ll savor in each delicate bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1–2 cups confectioners’ sugar (for coating)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter with confectioners’ sugar and both extracts until smooth and airy, approximately 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
3. Gradually incorporate flour and salt into the butter mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Gently fold chopped pecans throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution.
5. Shape the dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, positioning them with slight separation on prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges and pale bottoms, while preventing excessive browning.
7. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 3-4 minutes to stabilize their structure.
8. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, then immediately coat with a generous layer of confectioners’ sugar while still warm.
9. Once completely cooled, dust the cookies with a second layer of confectioners’ sugar for a pristine, snow-like finish.

Notes

• Swap pecans with other nuts like almonds or walnuts for a different flavor profile and texture.
• For gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better binding.
• Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect cookie consistency and prevent spreading during baking.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg