Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Sweet memories often swirl around these delightful pecan snowball cookies that melt like winter’s gentle whispers.

Soft, buttery orbs dusted with powdered sugar, creating magical moments in your kitchen.

Childhood nostalgia dances through each tender bite of these delectable treats.

Delicate and crumbly, these cookies bring warmth to cool afternoons.

Grandmothers and bakers have cherished this classic recipe for generations.

Nuts provide a rich, subtle crunch that perfectly complements the melt-in-your-mouth texture.

You’ll find these little clouds of sweetness impossible to resist.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom around your table.

What Makes Pecan Snowball Cookies So Tasty

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic: These pecan snowball cookies deliver an incredibly delicate, crumbly texture that practically dissolves on your tongue, creating a luxurious melt-in-your-mouth experience with every delightful bite.
• Festive Winter Charm: The generous dusting of powdered sugar gives these cookies a gorgeous snow-like appearance, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, winter celebrations, or creating a cozy seasonal treat that looks as magical as it tastes.
• Quick and Easy Baking Bliss: With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these cookies are a breeze to make for bakers of all skill levels, offering a stress-free way to whip up a delicious dessert in under 30 minutes.
• Nutty Flavor Explosion: The chopped pecans add a rich, buttery crunch that perfectly complements the sweet, delicate cookie base, creating a complex flavor profile that elevates these snowballs from ordinary to extraordinary.

Pecan Snowball Cookies Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: The essential structure for the soft, crumbly cookie foundation.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps bind the cookie dough. Room temperature butter works best for smooth mixing.
• Powdered Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet snowy coating. Use fresh, smooth powdered sugar for best results.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor depth. Pure vanilla extract recommended for best taste.
• Pecans: Introduces nutty crunch and rich flavor. Chop pecans finely for even distribution in the cookie.

Steps To Bake Pecan Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a baking sheet and dress it up with parchment paper or a silicone mat for a perfect non-stick surface.

Step 2: Whip Up The Magical Dough

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Flour
• Salt
• Chopped pecans

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until they become fluffy clouds. Pour in the vanilla and mix until everything dances together. Slowly introduce flour and salt, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in the crunchy pecan pieces with love.

Step 3: Shape Your Cookie Treasures

Roll the dough into adorable little balls, each about the size of a ping pong ball. Arrange them on the baking sheet, giving each cookie some personal space.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven and let the magic happen. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms turn a gorgeous golden brown. Once done, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a quick 5-minute breather.

Step 5: Sugar Snow Coating

While the cookies are still warm, give them a luxurious roll in powdered sugar. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely. For an extra wintery look, roll them in powdered sugar one more time to create a stunning snow-like effect.

Enjoy your melt-in-your-mouth pecan snowball cookies!

Best Tips For Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and butter to ensure the perfect cookie texture and prevent dry or crumbly results.
• Chill for Ease: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to make rolling the cookies easier and prevent spreading during baking.
• Gentle Rolling Technique: Roll cookies lightly and carefully to maintain their delicate snowball shape without compressing the dough too much.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Wait until cookies are just warm when first coating with powdered sugar to help the sugar stick better and create a smooth, even layer.
• Storage Hack: Keep cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating and freshness for up to a week.

How To Store And Warm Up Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pecan snowball cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Carefully pack cookies in a freezer-safe container, placing wax paper between layers, and freeze for 2-3 months to maintain their delicate texture.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, allowing them to regain their soft, crumbly consistency.
• Refresh: If cookies seem slightly stale, warm them briefly in the oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes, then dust with fresh powdered sugar to restore their original delightful taste.

Tasty Combos For Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Brew a Warm Chai Latte: The spicy, creamy notes of chai perfectly complement the nutty, buttery pecan snowball cookies, creating a delightful balance of flavors that dance on your palate.
• Pair with Dark Roast Coffee: The rich, bold coffee cuts through the sweetness of the cookies, enhancing the pecan's depth and providing a robust counterpoint to the delicate powdered sugar coating.
• Serve with Caramel Hot Chocolate: The smooth, velvety caramel hot chocolate adds a luxurious touch that echoes the cookie's creamy texture and brings out the warmth of the toasted pecans.
• Enjoy with Spiced Apple Cider: The crisp, slightly tangy apple cider with warming spices creates a harmonious blend that elevates the cookie's buttery, nutty profile and adds a festive winter feel.

Fun Changes To Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Nutty Chocolate Chip Snowballs: Replace half the pecans with mini chocolate chips for a rich, indulgent version that combines nutty crunch with sweet chocolate morsels.
• Tropical Coconut Snowballs: Swap pecans for toasted coconut flakes and add a touch of coconut extract to create a tropical-inspired cookie with a creamy, exotic flavor profile.
• Spiced Maple Snowballs: Incorporate ground cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup into the dough, then roll in a mixture of powdered sugar and cinnamon for a warm, festive treat that captures cozy winter flavors.
• Almond Orange Snowballs: Substitute pecans with chopped almonds and add orange zest to the dough, creating a bright, citrusy cookie with a delicate nutty undertone.

FAQs About Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Why are these cookies called snowball cookies?

These cookies get their name from their round shape and the thick, white powdered sugar coating that makes them look like little snowballs when finished.

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as substitutes and will give a similar crunchy texture to the cookies.

• How do I prevent the cookies from crumbling when I roll them in powdered sugar?

Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes after baking but while they’re still warm. This helps the sugar stick better and prevents the cookies from breaking when you coat them.

• What's the secret to getting a perfect, even powdered sugar coating?

Roll the cookies gently in powdered sugar while they’re still warm, then do a second coating once they’ve completely cooled. This creates that classic thick, snowy look that makes snowball cookies so special.

Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 26 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful pecan snowball cookies melt in your mouth with buttery, nutty goodness. Classic holiday treats dusted with powdered sugar invite warm memories of festive family gatherings you’ll cherish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

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

Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, ensuring an even cooking surface.
2. Create a creamy base by whipping softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, incorporating vanilla extract for subtle aromatic depth.
3. Gradually introduce flour and salt into the butter mixture, gently folding until a cohesive dough forms, then delicately incorporate chopped pecans for nutty texture and crunch.
4. Craft uniform cookie spheres by rolling dough into smooth, approximately 1-inch balls, positioning them with gentle spacing on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake the delicate morsels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for a light golden hue developing underneath, which signals perfect doneness.
6. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, providing a brief cooling period that helps stabilize their delicate structure.
7. While cookies retain a gentle warmth, tenderly enrobe each one in a generous layer of powdered sugar, creating a soft, snow-like exterior.
8. Transfer the sugar-coated cookies to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and providing an opportunity for a second, more lavish dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant, wintry finish.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and a smoother dough texture that blends more evenly.
• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, richer taste profile in the cookies.
• For gluten-free variation, swap regular flour with almond flour or a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a more compact cookie structure during baking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg