If there’s one cookie that absolutely belongs on every holiday cookie tray, it’s these buttery pecan snowballs. Soft, delicate, and rolled in a generous coat of powdered sugar, they practically dissolve the moment they hit your tongue. They’re nostalgic, festive, and incredibly easy to make, no fancy decorating, no chilling time, just simple goodness that tastes like home.
Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, gifting to friends, or sneaking a few with a cup of coffee, these little snowballs never disappoint. One bite and you’ll know why they’ve been a classic for generations.
Servings: About 36 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners and set them aside while you prepare the dough.
Step 2:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extract until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy. This usually takes about 3–5 minutes and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3:
Add the flour and salt to the bowl and mix again until a soft dough forms. It may look crumbly at first keep mixing and it will come together.
Step 4:
Gently fold in the finely chopped pecans so they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5:
Scoop and roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart.
Step 6:
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the bottoms just begin to turn light golden. Do not wait for the tops to brown these cookies stay pale.
Step 7:
Let the cookies cool just enough to handle (about 3–5 minutes). While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar and place them on a cooling rack.
Step 8:
Once completely cool, roll each cookie in powdered sugar one more time for that perfect snow-covered coating.
Tips & Baker’s Notes
- For deeper flavor: Toast the pecans before chopping. Just pop them in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until fragrant.
- Don’t skip the double roll: The first layer melts slightly into the cookie, and the second layer sticks beautifully for the snowy finish.
- Too dry? Add a teaspoon of milk if your dough seems crumbly and won’t hold together.
- Storing: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They also freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.
- Flavor twists: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or swap pecans for walnuts or almonds.
FAQ
Why do my snowball cookies crumble apart?
They may need a little more mixing the dough should hold together when pressed. Also make sure they cool slightly before rolling in sugar.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Let it soften slightly before rolling into balls.
Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze baked cookies without the final sugar roll. Thaw and roll in powdered sugar again before serving.
Can I make these without nuts?
Yes! just leave the nuts out. They’ll still be delicious, though the classic texture comes from the pecans.
Why roll while warm?
Warm cookies help the sugar melt slightly onto the surface, creating the perfect coating that sticks instead of falling off.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners and set aside. Calories: Approximately 110 per cookie
Protein: 1g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 7g
Ingredients
Instructions
In a large bowl, beat the butter, ½ cup confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
Add the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
Fold in the chopped pecans.
Scoop out the dough, roll into 1-inch balls, and place on a cookie sheet at least 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until bottoms are light brown. Do not overbake! Allow cookies to cool just until they can be handled, about 3-5 minutes. You want to roll them while still warm.
Add about 1 cup of confectioners' sugar to a shallow bowl and roll each cookie in it. Place rolled cookies on a cooling rack. Once cookies are fully cooled, roll in confectioners' sugar once more before storing or serving.Nutrition