You can’t go wrong with delicious Snowball Cookies! With a pecan-infused center and powdered sugar coating, these melt-in-your-mouth classic cookies are sure to please.

sideview of snowball cookies with pecans stacked with one cut in half and ready to serve

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Why You Will Love These Snowball Cookies

These cookies are dense, sweet, and filling. If you want a cookie with a little more staying power than a standard flour-and-sugar cookie, thanks to the addition of pecans, Snowballs (also known as Russian Tea Cakes and Mexican Wedding Cookies) are more filling.
These cookies are an absolute hit for holidays, gatherings, or anytime you’re craving something sweet. Snowballs vanish in no time whenever I serve them—seriously, they’re gone in a flash! ⚡
Perfect for bake sales and cookie swaps, this timeless classic is guaranteed to steal the show and leave everyone wanting more!

Ingredients Needed for This Snowball Cookies Recipe

Ingredient quantities for this easy snowballs recipe are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Egg
All-purpose flour
Pecans
Salt

If you don’t have pecans, you can use walnuts in these cookies instead.

How to Make Snowball Cookies (Quick Overview)

The section below quickly outlines the process. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.

These cookies are a total breeze to make! Start by pre-heating your oven, then…

In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, vanilla extract, and sugar until nice and smooth.

overhead view of butter and sugar combined in mixing bowl

Add in the flour, pecans, and salt, and mix again until everything is combined.

The more finely chopped your pecans are, the easier the dough will stick together. Note that I chop my pecans a little on the larger side (just personal preference!).

overhead view of butter mixture and flour and finely chopped pecas added and ready to be mixed

Place the dough in the fridge to chill for about an hour. This will make it a lot easier to form your cookies!

overhead view of cookie mixture combined and ready to be rolled then baked

Once the dough is chilled, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, just until the cookies are set but not browned. While they’re baking, fill a small bowl with powdered sugar for rolling.

When the cookies are done, let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then, gently roll each one in the powdered sugar while they’re still warm.

overhead view of out of the oven snowball cookies slightly cooled and carefully rolled in powdered sugar for the first coating

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack, and once they’re fully cooled, roll them in powdered sugar again.

That’s it—your snowball cookies are ready to enjoy!

sideview of snowball cookies for christmas stacked on each other on a serving dish

Store:

For up to seven days: in an airtight container on the countertop or in the fridge
For up to two months: in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer

Ready to bake more Christmas cookies? You’re in luck—I have a treasure trove of recipes just waiting to be discovered!

Planning a party? Whip up these easy peanut butter cookies and watch them disappear like magic! Quick, delicious, and oh-so-perfect for any gathering.
Searching for the ultimate classic Christmas cookie that will wow your guests? These scrumptious snickerdoodles are guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
Hunting for crowd-pleasers? You can’t go wrong with classic chocolate chip cookies, or take it to the next level with indulgent double chocolate cookies!
Sugar cookies are that fun treat that always pleases a crowd and they will get devoured!
Craving a peanut butter delight with a chocolate twist? Try these classic pb blossoms topped with a Hershey’s Kiss for a delightful surprise in every bite.
White chocolate and macadamia nut cookies are a salty and sweet sensational holiday treat! You will make them over and over again after trying them.
For a heavenly no-bake treat, dive into these easy no-bake cookies. Their unmatched flavor will be the star of the no-bake show!

sideview of two stacks of four tan peanut butter cookies and one cookie in foregroud with fork mark pattern standing upright, all on brown sheetpan — **PB Cookies**

overhead view of ready to serve snickerdoodle cookies on waxed paper — **PB Cookies**

I hope you enjoy these easy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies!

overhead view of pecan snowball cookies ready to serve on a christmas cookie serving tray

Easy Christmas Desserts

In search of stress-free holiday desserts beyond cookies? Explore more delicious recipes!

Dive into decadence with our irresistible no bake peanut butter pie—the ultimate treat for anyone who loves filling and fabulous dessert recipes.
Impress your guests with a jaw-dropping Christmas dessert menu and a Thanksgiving menu idea that leaves them craving more. Whip up a sumptuous pecan nut pie that will steal the spotlight.
Surprise and delight with an elegant chocolate pudding pie that gets richer with every bite. Coffee fans, indulge in a festive homemade peppermint mocha.
Start a new holiday tradition with our delightful cheesecake fluff recipe. This fruit-filled dessert is perfect for your Christmas foods menu.
Celebrate the season with classic dessert recipes like incredibly tasty peanut butter balls and silky homemade fudge. Fudge lovers, rejoice!
Whip up this mouthwatering brownie cheesecake fluff—sure to please any crowd.
Embrace the fall vibes and satisfy your pumpkin spice cravings with an extraordinary pumpkin cheesecake.

sideview of no bake peanut butter pie using cool whip topped with chopped reese's cups and whipped cream and one bite taken out — **Peanut Butter Pie**

overhead view of half of baked pecan nut pie in a clear pie dish on a white countertop — **Peanut Butter Pie**

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Snowball Cookies

You can't go wrong with delicious Snowball Cookies! With a pecan-infused center and powdered sugar coating, these classic cookies are sure to please.

Servings

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Western

Keyword easy, holiday recipes

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Ingredients

1 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans (chopped, finely chopped, or ground)
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 F.
In a mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, mix the butter, vanilla extract, and sugar until smooth.
Next, add the flour, pecans, and salt and mix again.
Chill dough for one hour.
After one hour, make balls out of 1 tbsp of cookie dough and place them onto an ungreased cookie sheet about 2” apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are set but not brown. While the cookies are baking, prepare a small bowl with enough powdered sugar to roll the cookies in.
Remove the cookies from the oven and cool for five minutes, then gently roll each cookie in the powdered sugar.
Allow the cookies to fully cool, then roll them in powdered sugar again. Now your snowballs are ready to serve and enjoy!

Notes

The more finely chopped your pecans are, the easier the dough will stick together.
If you don’t have pecans, you can use walnuts instead.

Nutrition Estimates (Per Serving)

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.