Holiday Snowball Cookies
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Holiday Snowball Cookies
These snowball cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, crafted with rich butter, finely chopped pecans, and a double dusting of powdered sugar. They bake to a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture in just 15 minutes. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges or cozy winter gatherings, these pecan snowball cookies bring nostalgic charm to any dessert table.
I first tasted these delicate powdered sugar cookies during a winter visit to Vienna, where pastry shops displayed them like edible snowdrifts in their windows. Now, I make them every December, their buttery aroma filling my kitchen with holiday spirit. I love serving them alongside my cranberry orange cookies for a festive color contrast, or with rich fudgy chewy brownies for a decadent dessert spread. They’ve become our family’s ritual for welcoming the first snowfall.
Why These Snowball Cookies Captivate
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: The combination of butter and finely ground pecans creates an impossibly tender crumb.
- Holiday Tradition Ready: These Christmas cookies embody seasonal warmth and nostalgic baking traditions.
- Simple Elegance: With just six basic ingredients, they transform into something truly special.
- Double Sugar Magic: The two coatings of powdered sugar create that perfect snowy appearance.
Ingredients for Perfect Snowball Cookies
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for optimal creaming and texture.
- Powdered sugar: Used both in the dough and for the snowy coating.
- Vanilla extract: Pure extract adds warm, aromatic notes to the butter cookies.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure while maintaining a delicate crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Pecans: Finely chopped for that classic pecan snowball cookie texture.
Snowball Cookies
Make classic snowball cookies with butter, powdered sugar, and pecans. These melt-in-your-mouth holiday treats get rolled twice in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- electric mixer
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- oven
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- spatula
- knife
- cutting board
- wire rack
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar plus 1 cup for rolling
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup pecans finely chopped
- 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; set them aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Beat in the vanilla extract until it is just combined into the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft, crumbly dough forms and the flour is just incorporated; be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Stir in the finely chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough should come together easily when you press it between your fingers.
- Roll the dough into uniform 1-inch balls. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for proper airflow during baking.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden and the bottoms are just beginning to brown. The tops of the cookies should still appear pale.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar to coat completely. Let them cool completely on the wire rack, then roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a thicker, snow-like coating.
Notes
Let cookies cool slightly before first sugar coating. A second roll in sugar after cooling creates the perfect snowy finish.
Creative Snowball Cookie Variations
- Chocolate Dipped: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted dark chocolate for extra decadence.
- Citrus Twist: Add orange or lemon zest to the dough for a bright, festive flavor.
- Nut Alternatives: Substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for different flavor profiles.
Essential Tips for Perfect Snowballs
- Butter Temperature: Use properly softened butter for ideal creaming and texture consistency.
- Even Sizing: Roll dough balls uniformly for consistent baking and appearance.
- Timing Matters: Bake until just golden on bottom but pale on top for tender results.
- Double Coating: The second sugar roll after cooling creates that iconic snowy look.
Storing Your Homemade Cookies
- Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer for 2 hours before transferring to freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Refresh: If cookies lose their snowy appearance, reroll in powdered sugar before serving.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The dough can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 1 month before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my snowball cookies flat?
Flat cookies usually result from butter that’s too soft or warm. Ensure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch. Also, avoid overmixing the dough once you add the flour, as this can develop gluten and cause spreading.
Can I make snowball cookies without nuts?
Absolutely. Simply omit the pecans for a classic butter snowball cookie. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious. You might add a teaspoon of extra flour to maintain the dough consistency.
How do I prevent the powdered sugar from melting?
Let cookies cool completely before the first sugar coating, and again before the second coating. The double coating technique ensures the sugar adheres properly without melting into the cookies.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but reduce the added salt by half. I prefer unsalted butter for better control over the final flavor balance in these delicate holiday cookies.
More Holiday Cookies to Bake
Why These Snowball Cookies Delight
With their delicate texture and snowy appearance, these butter cookies create instant holiday magic. They’re wonderfully simple to make yet feel elegantly special. I hope they become part of your family’s Christmas cookie tradition, creating sweet memories with every batch. Their melt-in-your-mouth quality makes them irresistible for both bakers and cookie lovers alike.
