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Home » Desserts » Cookies

Pecan Snowball Cookies

Published: Dec 8, 2022 · Modified: Dec 23, 2022 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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Pecan snowball cookies are the one cookie you must have on your holiday cookie platters. Buttery bites with a crumbly texture, a slight nutty flavor and a delicious sweet coating. Perhaps you remember these little round snowball shaped cookies on your grandma's cookie tray along with sugar cookies.

Much like Kahk in the Middle East, these are the quintessential Christmas cookie.

A pile of snowball cookies with a bite taken from one to show texture.

Often referred to as Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes or Russian butter ball cookies. Snowball cookies are surprisingly a year round cookie, but due to its shape and color, many choose to make them during the winter and holiday season.

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
  • 📝 Recipe Ingredients
  • 🥄 Recipe Instructions
  • 💡 Expert Tips
  • 🧺 Storage
  • 👩‍🍳 Variations
  • 💬 Recipe FAQs
  • 📣 Related Recipes
  • Pecan Snowball Cookies

❤️ Why You'll Love It

  • An easy recipe with simple ingredients. Only a handful of ingredients and you probably have them all in your pantry now.
  • Less time with the oven on. These cookies do not spread when baked, so more cookies can be placed on the same baking sheet. Which means, you're done faster and clean up is a breeze!
  • A classic Christmas cookie in less than 30 minutes.
  • An excellent choice for care packages, potlucks and holiday cookie exchanges as they hold their shape and travel well.
  • They remind people of holidays and family.

Many say as they bite into them, that they are reminiscent of younger days. Days when there would be piles of holiday cookies in different shapes and colors as well holiday desserts and family gathered together.

📝 Recipe Ingredients

Cookies ingredients on a marble white surface.
Buttery pecan snowball cookies make a perfect edible gift.

🥄 Recipe Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

  1. Chop the pecans so that they are nice and small pieces.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, finely chopped pecans and salt, stir with a whisk.
  3. In a large mixing bowl with your mixer on medium speed beat the butter, vanilla extract, almond extract and powdered sugar until creamy.
  1. Add the dry ingredients ½ cup at a time until evenly mixed and dough-like.
  2. Using a cookie scoop form 1-inch balls of dough and roll in your hand until an even ball has been formed.
  3. Place the cookie dough balls ½-1" apart on prepared baking sheets.
  4. Bake then allow to cool for about 5 minutes or until able to handle. Roll each ball in powdered sugar and place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Roll in powdered sugar again after cooled.

💡 Expert Tips

  • Chopping pecans is necessary because when you buy chopped pecans the pieces are not small enough. You'll want really small pieces of pecans, so more chopping in the food processor gets the pecans nice and small.
  • If the cookies flatten during baking, then there was too much butter. Make sure to be precise when measuring out.
  • If the dough starts to feel soft, you can chill the dough balls a little before going into the oven, about 30 minutes. You can expect the dough balls to flatten just a tiny bit during cooking, at the bottom but not much.
  • The second coat of sugar is important because I find that the first dusting of powdered sugar kind of dissolves into the cookie a little and so to get that nice white finish a second coat is needed.

🧺 Storage

  • Once cooled completely these snowball cookies can be stored in an airtight container line with paper towels at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • If you're planning on serving them later in the week, then I suggest saving that second coat of powdered sugar until right before you serve them up.

👩‍🍳 Variations

  • Switch up the type of nuts used in your snowball cookies. Give it a try with finely chopped hazelnuts, pistachios or walnuts instead of pecans.
  • Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough before rolling into balls.
  • Use festive food coloring or gels to make them green or red.
  • Roll them in edible cake glitter for a sweet sparkle.
  • Make them chocolate! Swap out ¼ cup of the flour with ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.

💬 Recipe FAQs

What are snowball cookies made of?

Traditional pecan snowball cookies are made with finely chopped pecans, flour, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and of course butter. These pecan snowballs are one of the classic Christmas cookie recipes.

What keeps the cookies from spreading out when cooked?

It is actually the butter and the powdered sugar. Both essential ingredients when making pecan snowball cookies. It is best not to substitute these items in the recipe if you want your cookies to look like snowballs.

Why did my pecan snowball cookies flatten?

It could be because there was too much butter or too much powdered sugar. This recipe requires precise measuring. Also the butter should not be melted when added to the mixture. Room temperature butter is best. This can take about 30-60 minutes for cold butter to come to the proper temperature.

A bird's eye view of a white plate with snowball cookies placed on a dark blue festive table with Christmas decorations.

📣 Related Recipes

Cookies are pretty much the best part of any holiday, right? Whip up a batch of these homemade cookies during anytime of the year and you'll feel the holiday vibes!

  • Maamoul is a traditional Middle Eastern cookie made usually filled with date. It has a soft texture and a delicate flavor.
  • Love sinckerdoodles? here is an easy snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar.
  • Treat yourself, and your loved ones, this holiday to a dreamy, creamy, no bake dessert. A simple combination of coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone cheese. Tiramisu is a fabulous Italian layered dessert that is perfect for entertaining.
  • Raspberry thumbprint cookies recipe is a quick and easy recipe for buttery, sweet, tart raspberry jam filled cookies for any occasion. Sooo good you’ll have a hard time sharing.
  • These whipped shortbread cookies are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them! The whipped texture gives them a unique and creamy flavor, and they are so easy to make.
  • Kahk are Egyptian cookies traditionally made during holidays and in weddings. They are made from a mixture of flour, ghee, and sugar, and are often filled with nuts, sweet fillings or sometimes left plain. Small rounds dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed by people of all.

I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for the FREE Amira's Pantry newsletter delivered to your inbox with lots of tips and surprises! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

A pile of snowball cookies with a bite taken from one to show texture.

Pecan Snowball Cookies

Sometimes called Russian tea cookies or Mexican wedding cookies, this snowball cookies recipe is a classic holiday cookie. that you do not want to miss.
4.82 from 11 votes
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Course: baking, Dessert, dessert-cookies
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Russian
Diet: Halal
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 23 cookies
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup Pecans finely chopped
  • 2 ¼ cups All purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon Almond extract
  • ½ cup Powdered sugar and more for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400F.
  • Chop the pecans so that they're nice and small pieces.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour, finely chopped pecans and salt and stir with a whisk.
  • In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, with your mixer on medium speed beat the butter, vanilla extract, almond extract and powdered sugar until creamy.
  • Turn the mixer down to a low speed and add the flour mixture, half cup at a time until evenly mixed and dough-like.
  • Using a 1" cookie scoop form 1" balls of dough and roll in your hands until an even ball has been formed.
  • One a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper line the cookie dough balls (they won't spread so leave only ½" to 1" between each ball of cookie dough.
  • Bake in the oven for 9-10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes or until able to handle.
  • Roll each ball in powdered sugar and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Roll in powdered sugar again after completely cooled.

Notes

  • Chopping pecans is necessary because when you buy chopped pecans, the pieces are not small enough. You'll want really small pieces of pecans, so more chopping in the food processor gets the pieces nice and small.
  • If the cookies flattened during cooking then there was too much butter. Make sure to be precise when measuring out. 
  • If the dough starts to feel soft, you can chill the dough balls a little before going into the oven, about 30 minutes. You can expect the dough balls to flatten just a tiny bit during cooking, at the bottom but not much.
  • The second coat of sugar is important because I find that the first dusting of powdered sugar kind of dissolves into the cookie a little and so to get that nice white finish a second coat is needed.
Storage:
  • Once cooled completely these snowball cookies can be store in an airtight container lined with paper towels for up to 2 weeks.
  • If you're planning on serving them later in the week then I suggest saving that second coat of powdered sugar until right before you serve them.
Variations:
  • Switch up the type of nuts used in your snowball cookies. Give it a try with finely chopped hazelnuts, pistachios or walnuts instead of pecans.
  • Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough before rolling into balls.
  • Use festive food coloring or gels to make them green or red.
  • Roll them in edible cake glitter for a sweet sparkle.
  • Make them chocolate! Swap out ¼ cup of the flour with ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 252IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jan

    November 16, 2024 at 1:40 pm

    I’ve made this before and they turned out fantastic, however I made them today and they flattened in the oven.
    What did I do wrong??

    Reply
    • Lori

      December 20, 2024 at 1:20 pm

      I chill my dough, that I want to stay in ball shape, before baking.

      Reply
  2. Suzanne

    December 12, 2023 at 2:26 pm

    I do know these as Mexican Wedding Cookies. I haven't had one in years.

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:59 am

      You know what? Egyptian wedding cookies (kahk) also look like this but with different ingredients. It is the season to try all these delicious cookies. Thanks Suzanne

      Reply
  3. mary

    December 12, 2023 at 2:08 pm

    5 stars
    I have a reiape that is all most like this that I have had for years I love them they are my favoriate cookie I must try your and compare

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:58 am

      Thanks Mary, I hope you'll like them. Happy Holidays.

      Reply
  4. Neva

    December 12, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    I could eat a plateful by myself. I have a friend with Puerto Rican roots who refers to them as. “Cholesterol bombs”.

    Reply
    • Florentina

      December 12, 2023 at 2:59 pm

      In Europe this were my favorite cookies during Christmas !! Looking forward to make this Xmas.
      Amira thank you for all your effort sharing all your delicious recipes with us
      thank you !!

      Reply
      • Amira

        December 13, 2023 at 10:03 am

        These cookies are incredibly delicious and buttery, making them a global favorite. I appreciate your kind comment, Florentina, and thank you for it.

        Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:57 am

      Hahaha that's so funny Neva :), Thanks for sharing and I hope you give them a try.

      Reply
  5. Adrienne

    December 12, 2023 at 12:07 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite holiday cookie recipes and I include it in my holiday cookie tray every year. I have always used pecans, but I love the idea of changing it up with walnuts!

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:56 am

      Aren't they the best? These are, hands down, one of my favorites! Enjoy the cookies Adrienne and Happy Holidays!!!

      Reply
  6. Teresa

    December 12, 2023 at 11:11 am

    We used to also call these mice when they were shaped in a sort of oblong. It was very cute to put 2Raisins or nuts for their eyes !
    T

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:51 am

      Oh I bet that would be so much fun for the kids. Thanks Teresa!

      Reply
  7. SUSAN

    December 12, 2023 at 10:13 am

    Can't wait to try this recipe!!!

    Reply
    • Doris Attard

      December 12, 2023 at 10:54 am

      I always enjoyed all you're receipt, no matter what you post on you're blog .. It is very hard to decided what I pick .you are wonderful thank you for sharing you're receipt

      Reply
      • Amira

        December 13, 2023 at 9:50 am

        Than you so much Doris for your sweet comment, I hope you give these a try.

        Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:49 am

      I hope you give them a try Susan - have fun!

      Reply
  8. Brandi Hughes

    December 12, 2023 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely love this recipe! it’s a favorite at my house. I have made them for parties, and they are a huge hit! Will have to try this with the recommendations at the end.

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:45 am

      Most definitely Brandi, enjoy!!!

      Reply
  9. Missy

    December 12, 2023 at 9:53 am

    This is one of my husband’s FAVORITE cookies. I love the options at the end of the recipe. I’m going to try the mini chocolate chips for my granddaughters!

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:46 am

      Looking forward to have my own grand kids one day, I bet it is fun to play in the kitchen with them, thanks Missy.

      Reply
  10. Caroline Boyle

    December 12, 2023 at 9:41 am

    5 stars
    So glad you shared this recipe. I had lost my grandmother’s version and yours tastes just like hers. Great recipe for kids to help with. Just make extra as they will disappear quickly.

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 13, 2023 at 9:48 am

      Indeed, one cannot have too many cookies. 🙂 Regards, Caroline.

      Reply

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I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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