Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

These Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar. They are a favorite holiday cookie recipe!

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

Today I’m sharing one of my very favorite Christmas cookie recipes: snowball cookies. If you’ve never tried these powdered sugar-coated delights, you need to add them to your holiday baking list. They become a fast favorite of just about everyone who tries them!

You’ll love these cookies because:

  • They have the best rich, buttery flavor andmelt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Chopped pecans bring a subtle toasty, nutty flavor.
  • The cookies are dusted with powdered sugar for a pretty “snowball” look.

My family has always called these cookies butter snowballs. They go by many names, including Snowball Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Snowballs and Butter Balls. Whatever you call them, they are a classic! Their rich, buttery flavor makes it almost impossible to eat just one.

The recipe for these snowball cookies was my great-grandmother’s. My mom has my great-grandmother’s handwritten recipe card for these cookies, and years ago I copied it for myself. It’s the kind of recipe card that says things like, “1-2 cups nuts” and “chill dough until easy to handle.” I modified the recipe just a bit to give you more specific instructions, so your cookies will turn out just perfect!

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

These bite-sized cookies are sure to disappear quickly! To round out your holiday cookie spread, try these other favorite Christmas cookie recipes: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies and Biscotti. These are always on our cookie baking list!

Snowball Cookies Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need just five simple ingredients, plus salt, to make this cookie recipe. And you won’t even need any eggs! Actually, these snowball cookies are one of the few cookies I make that are egg-free. These Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies are another.

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (3)

  • Butter: Butter gives these cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth rich buttery flavor. Use unsalted butter or reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
  • Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, or confectioners’ sugar, is used to sweeten the cookies. The cookies are also rolled in powdered sugar after baking, to give them their classic “snowball” look.
  • Salt: A little bit of salt enhances all of the flavors.
  • Vanilla Extract: For an extra touch of sweetness and a hint of vanilla flavor. Feel free to use almond extract instead for a hint of almond flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: For an accurate measurement, be sure to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off. If you scoop the flour directly with the measuring cup it can pack in too much flour.
  • Pecans: Chopped pecans add a delicious nutty flavor to these cookies. You can substitute chopped walnuts if you prefer.

Recipe Variation

You can substitute 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips for the chopped nuts to make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies. They are a delicious nut-free alternative to the classic recipe!

How to Make Snowball Cookies

  1. Beat together the butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  2. Mix in the salt and vanilla extract until incorporated.
  3. Add the flour and nuts and mix in on low speed. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (5)
  4. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours, until it is easy to work with.
  5. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (6)
  6. Bake cookies at 350° F for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden brown on the bottom.
  7. Let cool for 5 minutes and then roll in powdered sugar. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (7)
  8. Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them in powdered sugar a second time.

Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

Snowball Cookies Recipe Tips

  • Use room temperature butter. Softened butter will cream together with the powdered sugar much more easily. If you need the butter to soften quickly, cutting it into smaller pieces will help it to soften faster.
  • Chop the nuts finely. If you have a food processor, it makes the job of chopping the nuts quick and easy.
  • If the dough is too firm after chilling to roll into balls, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, or until it softens up.
  • Let them rest before rolling. The cookies will be very delicate right after baking. Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then carefully roll them in powdered sugar. Once they’re completely cool, roll them a second time to give them more of a powdered sugar coating.
  • I like to make these cookies very small. Roll the dough into 1-inch (or smaller) balls.

Storage Tips

  • Room Temperature: Snowball cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
  • Freezer: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature. You may wish to re-roll previously frozen cookies in powdered sugar before serving.

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More Favorite Cookie Recipes

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
  • Candy Cane Cookies
  • Chocolate Dipped Molasses Cookies
  • Gingerdoodle Cookies

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (9)

5 from 6 ratings

Snowball Cookies

Servings: 36 cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

These Snowball Cookies are soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar. They have the best rich, buttery flavor. Make them with chopped pecans, walnuts, or mini chocolate chips. A favorite holiday cookie recipe!

Print Recipe Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or almond extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans*, or walnuts
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling the cookies

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer, beat together butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until creamy.

  • Add the salt and vanilla (or almond) extract, and beat until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Add the flour and nuts and beat on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days, until easy to handle.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden on the bottom.

  • Let cool for 5 minutes, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Let cookies cool completely and then roll in powdered sugar a second time.

Notes

  • If you have a food processor, it is an easy way to finely chop the nuts.
  • If the dough is too firm after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it is soft enough to roll into balls.
  • To make these cookies without nuts, you can omit the nuts or substitute 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips.
  • Cookies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 111kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 33mg, Potassium: 22mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 159IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why do my snowball cookies go flat? ›

Snowball cookies should not flatten. Since they do not contain a leavening agent, the main factor to check is that the dough is chilled before baking.

What is a farmhouse cookie? ›

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy Cookies are inspired by homemade cookie recipes and made with only 9 – 12 real ingredients, depending on the flavor, including Chocolate, Flour, Butter, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Cage-Free Eggs, Baking Soda, Vanilla Extract, and Salt.

How long can you 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!

How many calories are in snowball cookies? ›

snowball cookie
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 cookie (24.72g)
How many calories are in snowball cookie? Amount of calories in snowball cookie: Calories 116.4Calories from Fat 50.1 (43.1%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in snowball cookie? Amount of fat in snowball cookie: Total Fat 5.6g-
43 more rows

How do you make cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Try using baking powder instead of baking soda. Baking soda encourages spreading while baking powder puffs the cookies up. If your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, you would use 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking powder.

What are grandma cookies? ›

Grandma's cookies offer a delicious variety of homemade memories. With flavors like chocolate, peanut butter and lemon pie, every Grandma's treat is baked with love.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

Some claim cowboy cookies hail from Texas, a state many cowboys call home. Others say the treats were named for their ability to withstand long days in saddlebag.

What is a carnival cookie? ›

🎡The Carnival Cookie🎡 A massive, buttery-soft sugar cookie topped with. smooth vanilla buttercream icing and garnished. generously with rainbow sprinkles.

What is the origin of snowball cookies? ›

The origin for pecan snowball cookies is unknown. Beloved in many parts of the world, these cookies may have traveled to the U.S. by way of immigrants from Eastern Europe or Mexico. Since the 20th century, they've become part of traditional American offerings for weddings and holidays, including Christmas and Easter.

Can you freeze cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar? ›

You can freeze filled cookies, such as thumbprint cookies and cookies that are coated in powdered sugar, such as Mexican wedding cookies either after they are baked or freeze the cookie dough. If you're freezing the baked cookies, wait to fill them or roll in powdered sugar until you're ready to serve.

Does freezing cookies keep them fresh? ›

Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months.

How much sugar is in a snowball cookie? ›

Trader Joe's
Nutrition Facts
How many net carbs are in Snowball Cookies? Amount of net carbs in Snowball Cookies: Net carbs 25g-
How much sugar is in Snowball Cookies? Amount of sugar in Snowball Cookies: Sugar 17g-
How much fiber is in Snowball Cookies? Amount of fiber in Snowball Cookies: Fiber 0g0%
17 more rows

How many carbs in a snowball cookie? ›

Joma Bakery Cafe Snowball Cookie (1 cookie) contains 6.3g total carbs, 5.9g net carbs, 5g fat, 1.2g protein, and 74 calories.

Why do my cookies deflate when they cool? ›

As they cool, the liquified sugars cool and harden, producing crisp bottoms and edges, and the air inside cools, causing the cookie to deflate slightly.

Why do cookies flatten as they cool? ›

You Used Too Much Sugar

Like butter, sugar helps cookies spread in the oven because it liquifies when heated. Too much sugar and not enough flour could lead to flat cookies. If your cookie recipe calls for a high ratio of white sugar, it's likely that your cookies will turn out flat.

What causes cookies not to go flat? ›

Too Much Flour

This may seem counterintuitive—after all, isn't flour a key ingredient in baking? Yes, but if you add too much flour, your cookies won't spread as they bake. Too much flour causes the dough to become dry and crumbly, which prevents it from flattening out during baking.

Why do my cookies always come out fluffy? ›

Baking powder or flour in excess will cause cookies to rise more, making them more fluffy and cakey. Increased sugar will make them caramelize more and increased fat will make the dough heavier and richer, all increasing retention of water in the dough- these all add up to chewier cookies.

References

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