Snowball Cookies

These scrumptious Snowball Cookies are a must-make for the holidays. Rolled in a copious amount of powdered sugar, they’re like a buttery bite of sugar cookie heaven. Package them in pretty cellophane bags or colorful tins and share them with family and friends.

What are Snowball Cookies?

Snowball cookies are much like shortbread in that, they use no leavening or eggs and include plenty of butter. They’re rolled in copious amounts of powdered sugar hence the name “snowball”.

Ingredients to Make Snowball Cookies Recipe

These snowball cookies have a myriad of names. I’ve heard them called meltaways, pecan balls, Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies among many other names. The truth is, no matter what they’re called it all spells delicious to me. They’re shortbread-like in flavor and texture and coated with copious amounts of powdered sugar. Ingredients you’ll need to make Southern Snowball Cookie Recipe: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour sifted with salt forms the base of the cookie dough.
• Butter – Unsalted butter adds richness.
• Flavorings – Vanilla extract and almond extract add floral notes.
• Sugar – Powdered sugar for the cookie dough and the coating.
• Nuts – Finely chopped pecans.

How to Make the Best Snowball Cookies Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Dry Ingredients: In a medium size mixing bowl, use a whisk to sift together flour and salt.
• Creamed Ingredients: Cream together butter, vanilla and almond extracts with a mixer. Add powdered sugar. Beat to combine.
• Combine: Lower speed of mixer and gradually add sifted flour mixture. Beat until evenly mixed and a dough forms.
• Pecans: Stir the pecans into the cookie dough by hand.
• Divide the Cookie Dough: Roll into 1-inch balls. Place on prepared cookie sheets.
• Oven: Bake per the recipe until lightly golden then roll in the remaining confectioners’ sugar.
• Serve: Cool on a wire rack then serve.

Tips for Making Snowball Cookies

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: You’ll need a hand mixer or a stand mixer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a cookie dough scoop or meatball scoop, food processor or a sharp knife and cutting board to prep the pecans, wire rack and a cookie sheet for baking.
• Chop the Pecans: Can I buy pecans from the grocery store that are already chopped? When you buy chopped pecans the pieces can sometimes be inconsistent in size and larger than what works in these cookies.You need really small pieces of pecans, so more chopping in the food processor or a quick chop with a sharp knife will get the job done.
• Snowball Cookies are Dome Shaped: These cookies don’t flatten and spread like a classic cookie. They result in a dome shaped cookie.
• Spoon and Level the Dry Ingredients: Make an effort to be precise when measuring out the dry ingredients. Always spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level, never scoop the flour or it can become compacted and the cookies will be dry.
• Double Sugar Coating: Why the second coat of powdered sugar? The first dusting of powdered sugar naturally melts a bit into the warm cookies. Double dipping will give you that nice white finish that makes these cookies so appealing.
• When to Serve: These are a popular Christmas cookie and make a delicious addition to Thanksgiving desserts, too.

Recipe Variations

• Nuts: These cookies are typically made with chopped pecans. You could also make them using chopped almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts or finely chopped walnuts.
• Chocolate Chips: You could add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough along with the pecans. You could also use 1/2 of each.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Once cooled completely these snowball cookies can be stored in an airtight container lined with wax paper or a paper towel at room temperature or chilled for up to 1 week. If you’re planning on enjoying them later in the week perhaps, save the second coat of powdered sugar until right before you serve them.
• Freezer: You can freeze these cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and dust or roll in more powdered sugar just before serving.

More Southern Style Cookie Recipes to Make

There’s no wrong time of year to bake cookies and it should never be limited to only a seasonal activity. Fill your cookie jar year-round and watch the smiles on the faces of the special people in your life. They make great gifts, too!

• Another Southern classic to make are these irresistible Butter Pecan Cookies.
• Molasses Cookies rolled in granulated sugar and baked like crinkle cookies.
• Everything but the Kitchen Sink Cookies.
• Fusion Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies are like tiny little pecan pies.
• Cutout Gingerbread Cookies are edible art the whole family can make.
• No time to bake? The kiddos will love this Edible Cookie Dough!
• You can make these Cutout Cream Cheese Cookies into festive holiday shapes.
• Candy Cane Cookies from Noshing with the Nolands.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Baking Sheets
• Measuring Set
• Mixer