The BEST Snowball Cookies RECIPE
Snowball Cookies, often called Mexican Wedding Cookies, are made with pecans, and rolled into powdered sugar so they look like a snowball. They are one of my favorites, and are perfect for Santa Cookie Plates! These are easy snowball cookies, that are a classic pecan Christmas cookie you won’t want to miss.
Cookies come in all shapes and sizes and these fun cookies are perfect for the holidays because they look just like snowballs!
If you are wanting some fun cookie recipes to fill your plates try this Toffee Pecan Christmas Cookies, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies or Gingerbread Cookies.
Traditions, traditions, traditions, I can’t say it enough, my favorite part about the holidays are the traditions.
From reading stories, to baking cookies, or making no bake cookies, to doing advent calendars, and creating neighbor gifts, teacher gifts, and more! The traditions are what brings our family together during a chaotic season.
How to make Snowball Cookies:
One of my favorite holiday traditions, regardless of the holiday is reading stories, and then making a treat that goes along with the stories. And sharing these cookies with friends and family only make them better. These are made in just 6 simple steps:
- Cream together butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar and vanilla in a stand mixer
- Grind up the pecans into a fine mixture. *I used my food processor, but a blender would work well too.
- Add flour into butter mixture 1/2 a cup at a time, when all mixed, then mix in ground pecans.
- Roll into balls about 1 inch big.
- Bake at 350 for 14 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let cool 1-2 minutes, then roll in remain 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
What are Snowball Cookies?
You might be asking what a “Snowball” cookie is, so let me tell you they are also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, or Nut Butter Cookies.
They are basically cookies made with pecans, and rolled into powdered sugar so they look like snowballs.
They are one of my favorites, and I make them every year, twice, because I eat all of the first batch myself and they are so good for sharing.
Plus, they are really easy to make with kids, which is always a plus. No eggs to crack, and plenty hands on fun!
Can you substitute the Pecans?
Yes! Pecans are one of my favorite nuts but there are other ingredients that go well in these cute little snowballs!
- Walnuts: chopped
- Mini Chocolate Chips: I can’t stress it enough “mini” is what you will want for these.
- Dried Cranberries: add that fruity flavoring
Can you freeze them?
Yes! If you have enough left over or would like to prepare them and freeze them, these snowball cookies are the right cookie!
My original plan was to package these cookies up, and have the kids help me take them to the neighbors.
We ate too many, and I had a cookie exchange I was heading out to (and did not have enough cookies left).
I think we will use the recipe cards from the Bake Like an Elf set to make a few different kinds of cookies over the next few weeks to deliver to the neighbors.
I will let you know how it goes! I really love when my kids can be involved in the making of neighbor gifts because it makes the giving more meaningful and teachable.
Snowball Cookies FAQs
Have questions about making, storing, or freezing snowball cookies? Here are a few helpful tips to keep your cookies buttery, tender, and perfectly powdered sugar-coated!
How do you store snowball cookies?
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5–7 days.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing.
- Use parchment paper between layers to protect the powdered sugar coating.
Can you freeze snowball cookies?
- Yes! Freeze baked cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Thaw at room temperature and roll in fresh powdered sugar before serving. Don’t roll in powdered sugar before freezing.
Can you freeze snowball cookie dough?
- Absolutely! Shape dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet until firm.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw before baking, or bake from frozen with a little extra time.
How do you keep snowball cookies soft?
- Avoid overbaking; cookies should stay light in color.
- Measure flour carefully to prevent dry, crumbly cookies. And don’t over mix.
- Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.
Why are my snowball cookies falling apart?
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them.
- Avoid adding too much flour, which can make the dough dry. Measure by spooning flour into a measuring cup rather than scooping.
- Make sure the dough holds together when gently pressed.
Can you make snowball cookies ahead of time?
- Yes! Refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Bake cookies a few days before serving and store them in an airtight container.
- Add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar before serving for the prettiest finish.
Why do you roll snowball cookies in powdered sugar twice?
- Roll once while the cookies are still warm so the sugar sticks.
- Roll again after cooling for that classic snowy, white coating.
Are snowball cookies the same as Mexican wedding cookies?
- Yes! Both are buttery, powdered sugar-coated cookies, often made with pecans or walnuts.
- Russian tea cakes are another closely related version.
Do snowball cookies need to be refrigerated?
- No! Room-temperature storage in an airtight container is best.
- Freeze cookies if you need to keep them longer than a week.
Can you make snowball cookies without nuts?
- Yes, but omitting nuts can change the texture.
- For best results, use a tested nut-free recipe rather than simply leaving them out.
Here are more Christmas cookie recipes to help you get through the holidays
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Martinelli’s Apple Glazed Shortbread Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
- Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
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Pecan Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Salted butter softened
- 1 1/4 cup Powdered sugar Divided 3/4 c and 1/2 cup
- 1 cup Pecans ground up
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
Instructions
- Cream together butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar and vanilla in a stand mixer
- Grind up the pecans into a fine mixture. *I used my food processor, but a blender would work well too.
- Add flour into butter mixture 1/2 a cup at a time, when all mixed, then mix in ground pecans
- Roll into balls
- Bake at 350 for 14 minutes
- Remove from oven, let cool 1-2 minutes, then roll in remain 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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