• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kathleen's Cravings
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Index
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer and Snack Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Meatless Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • How To
  • Welcome!
    • Welcome!
    • Work With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Summer Recipes
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Fave Tools
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Summer Recipes
    • About
    • Work With Me
    • Fave Tools
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » All Recipes

    Snowball Cookies with Pecans

    Published: Dec 2, 2019 · Modified: Apr 19, 2020 by Kathleen Hansen · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Snowball Cookies with Pecans are always one of my favorite holiday cookies. They are buttery, tender, nutty from the chopped pecans, and covered in sweet powdered sugar. They're a Christmas classic in our house! These cookies are such a favorite that they go by many names!

    Snowball Cookies with Pecans with text

    Other Names for Snowball Cookies:

    • Mexican Wedding Cookies
    • Russian Tea Cakes
    • Italian Wedding Cookies
    • Butter Balls or Pecan Butter Balls
    • Snowdrops

    snowball cookie dough balls on plate

    The snowball cookie dough requires just a few ingredients and results in a tender, shortbread like cookie. Like many cookies, this dough does require chilling. It can be chilled for as little as 30 minutes or up to 3 days. Making this the perfect option to make in advance. Mix up the cookie dough one night, then roll into balls and bake another day.

    snowball cookies in bowl of powdered sugar

    Ingredients You'll Need:

    • Unsalted Butter - softened to room temperature is a must to cream it properly. You can use salted butter if that's all you have on hand but you'll want to use a little less salt.
    • Powdered Confectioners Sugar - this is used both in the dough and for rolling the baked cookies. You roll the baked cookie balls twice and the second roll if really when you notice it sticking in a nice layer.
    • Kosher Salt - Salt is so so important in sweets. Never skip it. It helps balance the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
    • Vanilla Extract - Use the good stuff. It makes a difference 🙂
    • All-Purpose Flour - A baking pantry staple. It's going to seem like a lot of flour at first, but I promise the dough will come together. Mixing in the flour on low first prevents making a huge mess..
    • Finely Chopped Pecans - You can either buy them pre-chopped, use a sharp knife, or give a few pulses in your food processor (this if my favorite way).

    powdered sugar snowball cookies on rack v2
    Print

    Recipe

    Snowball Cookies

    Snowball Cookies with Pecans are always one of my favorite holiday cookies. They are buttery, tender, nutty from the chopped pecans, and covered in sweet powdered sugar. They're a Christmas classic. Recipe at KathleensCravings.com #kathleenscravings #snowballcookies #pecancookies #christmascookies #holidaycookies #Russianteacakes
    Print Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Snowball Cookies with Pecans are always one of my favorite holiday cookies. They are buttery, tender, nutty from the chopped pecans, and covered in sweet powdered sugar. They're a Christmas classic. Recipe at KathleensCravings.com

    • Author: Kathleen
    • Prep Time: 45 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 60 minutes
    • Yield: 30 cookies
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
    • ¾ cup powdered confectioners sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
    • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
    • 1 ½ cups powdered confectioners sugar (for rolling)

    Instructions

    1. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium until smooth and creamy. About 1 minute. Add the ¾ cup of powdered sugar and salt and beat on medium-high until combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
    2. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
    3. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the flour. Once the flour is mixed in you can turn the speed up to medium-high until the dough comes together. It will be thick. Finally, mix in the chopped pecans.
    4. Chill the dough. Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days. If you chill the dough for more than a couple of hours you'll need to let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or so in order to roll into balls.
    5. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. In a small bowl, add the 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar.
    6. Roll the dough into 1-1 ½ tablespoon sized balls. Place on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
    7. Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes. The cookies will be set and just barely getting golden yellow on the bottom.
    8. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes until still warm, but cool enough to handle. Gently roll the warm cookies in the powdered sugar. Place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, roll in the powdered sugar again - you'll notice that the powdered sugar really sticks now.
    9. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cookie
    • Calories: 149
    • Sugar: 9 g
    • Sodium: 11.6 mg
    • Fat: 8.8 g
    • Carbohydrates: 16.7 g
    • Fiber: 0.6 g
    • Protein: 1.4 g
    • Cholesterol: 16.3 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @KathleensCravings on Instagram

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X

    More All Recipes

    • Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet in the pint container.
      Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
    • Single serve cornbread on a plate cut in half.
      Single Serve Cornbread (Small Batch)
    • Single serve confetti cake cut in half with lots of rainbow sprinkles.
      Single Serve Confetti Cake (Funfetti)
    • Single serve cinnamon swirl cake cut in half to show cinnamon sugar center.
      Single Serve Cinnamon Swirl Cake (Small Batch)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Katie says

      April 02, 2023 at 3:23 pm

      These are one of my favorite holiday cookies!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Kathleen and welcome! My favorite place to be has always been in the kitchen and I love creating recipes that are easy and approachable. Simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions!

    More about me →

    Single Serve Recipes

    • Single serve banana bread in a ramekin.
      Single Serve Banana Bread (1 Banana)
    • Single serve chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.
      Single Serve Chocolate Cupcake (Makes Two)
    • Single serve oatmeal chocolate chip cookie split in half.
      Single Serve Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie (Small Batch)
    • Single serve sugar cookie on a plate with sprinkles.
      Single Serve Sugar Cookie (Small Batch)

    Summer Recipes

    • Single serve blueberry crisp in a ramekin with an oat topping.
      Single Serve Blueberry Crisp (Air Fryer or Oven)
    • Scoops of mixed berry sorbet in a bowl with fresh berries.
      Ninja Creami Mixed Berry Sorbet
    • Blackstone Garlic Butter Steak Bites on a plate with parsley.
      Blackstone Steak Bites (Garlic Butter)
    • Flatbread pizzas on the Blackstone griddle.
      Blackstone Flatbread Pizza
    • stack of s'mores bars with mini marshmallows
      S'Mores Bars
    • Single serve cornbread on a plate cut in half.
      Single Serve Cornbread (Small Batch)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About Me
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © 2025 KATHLEEN'S CRAVINGS ON THE SEASONED PRO THEME

     

    Loading Comments...