Snowball Cookies: How to Make Them from Scratch
Updated: Oct. 18, 2022
I love making these buttery, nutty cookies during the holidays. This snowball cookies recipe is simple enough to make ahead and freeze, too!
December is peak season for cookie baking. It’s also the perfect time of year to make a batch of snowball cookies! You’ll find plenty of different versions of snowball cookies, but I recommend first learning learn how to make snowball cookies with the classic recipe below. They’re pecan-filled and melt in your mouth.
What Are Snowball Cookies?
Snowball cookies are a classic holiday treat, dusted with powdered sugar and packed with pecans. They get their name from their appearance: They look like balls of snow. You’ll also see snowball cookies called Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, Italian wedding cookies, snowdrops or pecan butter balls.
The cookies are unusual in that they don’t include eggs in the dough and they use powdered sugar, which creates a light, crumbly cookie. They’re easy to assemble and call for ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
How to Make Snowball Cookies
This recipe for pecan meltaways is from Alberta McKay of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and is a tradition in her house at Christmastime.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- Additional confectioners’ sugar
Directions
Step 1: Cream butter and sugar
In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy.
Editor’s Tip: You definitely want softened butter for this step! Forgot to take it out of the refrigerator? This is how to soften butter in a pinch.
Step 2: Add remaining ingredients
Beat in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour to the creamed mixture and mix well. Next, stir the pecans into the dough. If you have whole pecans, chop them first.
Refrigerate the dough until chilled. Don’t skip this step—chilling cookie dough is essential for avoiding thin, flat cookies.
Editor’s Tip: One easy method for how to chop nuts is to put them in a bowl and put pressure on them using a measuring cup or smaller bowl. You’ll wind up with coarsely chopped nuts. For smaller pieces, move them to a cutting board and finish with a knife, placing your non-cutting hand over the top of the blade and carefully rocking the blade back and forth.
Step 3: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set.
Step 4: Roll in confectioners’ sugar
Roll the warm cookies in additional confectioners’ sugar, then cool completely on wire racks. Roll the cooled cookies again in confectioners’ sugar.
Snowball Cookie Variations
Once you’ve learned how to make this simple snowball cookies recipe, try experimenting with different versions.
- Peppermint snowballs add a creamy filling inside and a mixture of peppermint candy and powdered sugar on the outside.
- Chocolate snowball cookies give classic snowball cookies a chocolaty twist with a bit of cocoa powder.
- Keto snowball cookies require a few ingredient swaps, like sugar substitutes and almond flour. (They can also be transformed into vegan snowballs with a vegan butter substitute.)
- Gluten-free snowballs call for a flour replacement with potato starch and xanthan gum.
Snowball Cookie Tips
Why did my snowball cookies go flat?
If your cookies go flat, check the oven temperature. An oven temperature that’s too low can result in your cookies spreading out more. Butter that’s too soft or melted can also lead to flat cookies. If your butter is overly soft when you whip the cookies, pop the dough in the refrigerator for an extra 1-2 hours to firm up before baking.
How long do homemade snowball cookies last?
You can store these snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the finished cookies by laying them in a zip-close bag and squeezing out at much air as possible. To thaw, put the cookies in the refrigerator overnight and then let them come to room temperature before serving. I like to roll them in powdered sugar again after freezing for a freshened-up look.
Pecan Meltaways
This sweet, nutty pecan meltaways recipe is a tradition in our house at Christmastime, but the treats are delightful any time of the year. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Triple Nut Snowballs
This super-crunchy, not-too-sweet cookie is a fun update on the classic snowball. I used cashews, macadamia nuts and pecans, but you can mix and match other nuts to your liking. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Cherry Snowballs
A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
Candy Cane Snowballs
I bake dozens of kinds of Christmas cookies to give to family and friends. I came up with this recipe when I had leftover candy canes. We dip the snowballs into a white candy coating, then into crushed peppermint candy. —Debby Anderson, Stockbridge, Georgia
Keto Snowball Cookies
If you're on the ketogenic diet or just looking to lower carbs, these keto snowball cookies are a wonderful option for a sweet snack or after-dinner treat. Look for erythritol, which is made by multiple brands, near the sugar substitutes in the baking aisle. —Dawn Parker, Surrey, British Columbia
Chocolate Snowball Cookies
These dainty cookies just melt in your mouth. I enjoy making them for get-togethers when there are lots of people around to enjoy them. —Mary Lou Welsh, Hinsdale, Illinois
Cherry Almond Snowdrops
As soon as I was old enough, I helped make these distinctive almond cookies. You can freeze the dough, so they’re perfect for the busy holidays. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Raspberry Coconut Balls
My family loves Hostess Zingers, especially the raspberry flavor coated with coconut, inspiring this treat to make for school bake sales. We can make about four dozen in 30 minutes, and they sell out fast! —Pam Clark, Wheaton, Illinois
Holiday Rum Balls
I make these rum balls for special occasions with my wonderful family and friends. The treats are so easy to make and pack a festive punch. — Diane Duschanek, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Gluten-Free Snowballs
I took a classic holiday cookie and made it gluten-free. It’s now my husband’s favorite Christmas cookie. They’re so buttery, nutty and sweet—and everyone loves how they crumble in your mouth. —Joan Sarge, Asheville, North Carolina
German Christmas Cookies
This little spice cookie tastes very European and is similar to Pfeffernüsse or “peppernut.” We make ours with cozy spices, anise flavoring, almonds and candied citron. —Carole Mueller, Florissant, Missouri
Peppermint Snowballs
These snowball cookies have a surprise peppermint filling in the center. —Judith Scholovich, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Cherry & Macadamia Nut Cookies
Tart dried cherries and sweet macadamia nuts make an unbeatable combo. Plus, the cherries add a pop of color for the holidays.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Chocolate Macadamia Meltaways
I came up with this recipe by accident one day when I wanted to make some cookies. I decided to use some ingredients already in my cupboard, and these were the delicious result. —Barbara Sepcich, Galt, California
Pine Nut Snowballs
My great aunt Commie’s Russian tea cakes, along with pine nuts and amaretto, inspired this recipe. —Christianna Gozzi, Astoria, New York
Key Lime Pie Balls
The classic creamy filling, graham cracker crust and burst of lime are all mixed together in every bite of these rolled cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Coconut Rum Balls
My mom has made rum balls for as long as I can remember. They look beautiful on a dessert spread and can be packaged in a decorative tin as a gift. I swapped coconut rum for the traditional rum and added shredded coconut. —Jana Walker, Macomb, Michigan
Glazed Pfeffernuesse
Our version of the classic German cookie is nice to have on hand throughout the holiday season. They stay fresh—and become more intense in flavor—when stored in an airtight container for weeks. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rum Balls
Rum flavor comes through nicely in these traditional, no-bake rum balls. I like to make a few dozen at a time and give them to my neighbors for Christmas—Audrey Larson, Bloomington, Minnesota
Chocolate Snowballs
This is my favorite Christmas cookie recipe. The cookies remind me of the snowballs I packed as a child during many cold Wisconsin winters. —Dee Derezinski, Waukesha, Wisconsin
No-Bake Cookie Balls
I go for these quick bites when I'm short on time or don't want to turn on the oven. I make them a day or two ahead to let the flavors blend. —Carmeletta Dailey, Winfield, Texas
Date Nut Balls
A friend gave me this recipe more than 30 years ago. It is my husband's favorite treat. I like these with pecans or walnuts. If you do not like nuts, omit the nuts and use 3 cups Rice Krispies. —Melinda Lord, Washington, Iowa
Buttery Nut Cookies
Make these wonderful cookies for the holidays as gifts for friends. Include a recipe copy to be extra popular.—American Dairy Assoc, Stacy Duffy, Chicago, Illinois
