Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe: Irresistible Powdery Treats

These melt-in-your-mouth buttery pecan snowball cookies dance with winter magic on your taste buds.

Delicate white powdered sugar coats each tender morsel like fresh fallen snow.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen swirl around these classic treats that everyone adores.

Southern bakers have perfected this simple yet elegant recipe through generations.

Delightful crumbly texture emerges from a perfect blend of chopped pecans and rich butter.

Serving these delectable rounds at holiday gatherings, watching faces light up with pure joy.

Each bite promises a delicate, sweet escape that whispers comfort and celebration.

Gather ingredients and let the baking adventure begin!

Why Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Melt In Your Mouth

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic: These buttery pecan snowball cookies dissolve instantly on your tongue, creating a delicate, heavenly texture that's incredibly soft and crumbly.
• Quick and Easy Baking Bliss: Whipping up these cookies takes less than 30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute dessert cravings or spontaneous baking sessions with minimal effort.
• Winter Wonderland Treat: The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies a stunning snow-white appearance, transforming them into festive delights that capture the cozy essence of winter holidays and family gatherings.
• Nutty Flavor Explosion: Chopped pecans add a rich, toasty crunch that perfectly complements the butter-rich base, creating a delightful contrast of smooth and crisp textures in every single bite.

What You’ll Need For Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture. Choose unsalted butter for better control of salt content.
• Powdered Sugar: Ensures a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and creates the classic snowball coating. Look for finely ground sugar.

• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure to the cookies. Use fresh, sifted flour for a smoother dough.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Pecans, Vanilla Extract: Add nutty depth and aromatic sweetness. Choose fresh, high-quality pecans and pure vanilla extract for best results.
• Powdered Sugar (for coating): Creates the signature snowy appearance and adds extra sweetness.

How To Make Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies At Home

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Set your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat so the cookies won’t stick.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, beat softened butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla, then gently fold in the flour, salt, and chopped pecans until just combined.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Roll the dough into walnut‑sized balls and arrange them on the prepared sheet, leaving space for slight spreading.

Step 4: Bake and Rest

Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the bottoms turn a delicate golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Sugar Coat

While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, then roll once more for a double layer of snowy sweetness.

Tips To Get Perfect Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Master the Butter Softening: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy texture without melting.
• Prevent Crumbly Dough: Mix flour gently and avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender and prevent a tough, dry texture.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure consistent cookie sizes for even baking.
• Handling Powdered Sugar Coating: Let cookies cool slightly before first sugar coating, then wait until completely cool for the second dusting to get that perfect snowball effect.
• Nut Allergy Adaptation: Swap pecans with toasted almonds or skip nuts entirely, maintaining the cookie's delicate texture and sweet flavor.

How To Store Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigerate: Store cooled snowball cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Dust with fresh powdered sugar if desired.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their crisp texture and enhance their buttery flavor.

What Goes Well With Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Pair with Sweet Sips: Complement these buttery pecan snowball cookies with a warm mug of chai tea or a creamy hot chocolate. The spices in chai will highlight the nutty pecan flavor, while hot chocolate's richness matches the cookie's soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Create a Dessert Combo: Serve these snowball cookies alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a light, airy vanilla panna cotta. The cool, smooth desserts will contrast beautifully with the crumbly, powdery cookie texture.
• Match with Cozy Beverages: Enjoy these cookies with a rich espresso or a smooth cappuccino. The coffee's bold flavor will cut through the sweetness, creating a perfect balance for an afternoon treat or after-dinner indulgence.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine: Pair with a sweet moscato or a light port wine. These sweet wines will enhance the cookie's delicate powdered sugar coating and bring out the deep, toasted pecan notes.

Tasty Variations Of Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Pecan Snowballs: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, decadent version that combines nutty pecans with sweet chocolate morsels.
• Almond Extract Snowballs: Replace vanilla extract with almond extract to create a deeper, more complex flavor profile that complements the toasted pecans.
• Coconut Pecan Snow Cookies: Mix shredded coconut into the dough and roll the finished cookies in a blend of powdered sugar and coconut for an extra tropical touch.
• Maple Pecan Snowballs: Swap some powdered sugar with maple sugar and add a hint of maple extract to give these cookies a warm, autumnal character that highlights the natural sweetness of pecans.

FAQs About Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Why are these cookies called snowball cookies?

These cookies get their name from their round shape and the thick layer of powdered sugar that makes them look like little snowballs, similar to how snow covers the ground in winter.

• Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as substitutes. Just chop them finely like you would with pecans to ensure they mix well into the dough.

• How do I prevent the cookies from crumbling?

Make sure to let the cookies cool slightly before the first powdered sugar coating. The warmth helps the sugar stick, and cooling prevents them from falling apart when you handle them.

• Why do I need to roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?

The first coating helps the sugar stick to the warm cookie, while the second coating after cooling creates that classic thick, snowy look that makes these cookies so iconic and delicious.

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Pecan Snowball Cookies melt in your mouth with classic Southern charm, offering a powdery sweet escape. Powdered sugar-coated treasures crumble gently, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of holiday comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

Sweetening Ingredients:

• ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundation for these delicate winter-inspired morsels by heating the oven to a precise 350F (175C), ensuring an even baking environment.
2. Prepare your baking surface by lining a sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick canvas for the delicate cookies.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar, whipping the mixture until it becomes ethereally light and cloud-like.
4. Introduce vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending until the fragrance permeates the dough and creates a harmonious base.
5. Gradually incorporate flour and salt, folding gently to create a cohesive dough that holds its shape without becoming dense.
6. Gently fold chopped pecans into the mixture, distributing the nutty fragments evenly throughout the delicate dough.
7. Using gentle hands, form the dough into perfect one-inch spheres, placing them with careful spacing on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for 12-15 minutes until their edges hint at a golden blush.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest briefly on the baking sheet, allowing them to set and stabilize.
10. While still warm, delicately roll each cookie in a cloud of powdered sugar, creating an initial gentle coating.
11. Transfer the sugar-dusted cookies to a cooling rack, letting them reach room temperature.
12. For a final touch of winter magic, roll the completely cooled cookies in another layer of powdered sugar, ensuring a pristine, snow-like finish.

Notes

• Choose high-quality butter at room temperature for a smoother, creamier texture that blends effortlessly with other ingredients.
• Use freshly toasted pecans to enhance the nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cookies.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
• For gluten-free options, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s delicate structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 144
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 38 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg