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Home » Cookies » Snowball Cookies

Published: November 13, 2019 Last Modified: November 13, 2019 By Sara 23 Comments

Snowball Cookies

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Snowball Cookies Recipe | Mexican Wedding Cookies | Russian Tea Cakes #cookies #pecan #chocolate #baking #dessert #christmas #dinneratthezoo

These snowball cookies are light and tender cookies studded with pecans and chocolate chips, then rolled in powdered sugar. A melt in your mouth treat that’s perfect for the holidays!

Snowball cookies are one of my must-make Christmas favorites, along with spritz cookies and stained glass cookies. I’ve put a spin on the classic snowball recipe with the addition of chocolate chips, because you can never have too much chocolate!

Snowball Cookies Recipe | Mexican Wedding Cookies | Russian Tea Cakes #cookies #pecan #chocolate #baking #dessert #christmas #dinneratthezoo Snowball Cookies Recipe | Mexican Wedding Cookies | Russian Tea Cakes #cookies #pecan #chocolate #baking #dessert #christmas #dinneratthezoo

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin,

Every year I include some time honored classic recipes in my holiday baking, and these adorable little snowball cookies are always on the list. These cookies look like a snowball, hence the name, and they’re packed full of pecan and chocolate flavors.

How do you make snowball cookies?

These cookies start with butter, flour, sugar and vanilla extract, which are mixed together to form a crumbly shortbread style dough. Miniature chocolate chips and finely chopped pecans are added to the mix, and the cookies are formed into little balls, then baked. The finishing touch is two coats of powdered sugar for an irresistible treat!

A bowl of cookie dough topped with miniature chocolate chips and chopped pecans.

Traditionally, snowball cookies are made with pecans. I added the chocolate because I think it really amps up the flavor of these cookies, and it’s fun to bite into a pure white cookie and see little flecks of chocolate goodness inside. If you prefer to stick with pecans, you can add more nuts in place of the chocolate.

Balls of snowball cookie dough ready to be baked.

Tips for snowball cookies

  • It’s best to keep these cookies on the smaller side so that they hold their round shape when they bake. You can use a measuring spoon or cookie scoop to make sure the cookies come out similar in size.
  • The cookies are dipped in powdered sugar two times – once when they’re hot, and a second time after they’ve cooled off.
  • The cookie dough can be frozen for up to one month, then thawed and baked at a later date.
  • It’s important that the pecans be finely chopped so that they can be evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Snowball cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • If you don’t want to use pecans, you can substitute walnuts or almonds instead.

Baked snowball cookies on a sheet pan.

How long do you bake snowball cookies?

These cookies bake for 16-18 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are light golden brown. You don’t want to over bake your cookies as they’ll lose that melt-in-your-mouth texture and become tough if they spend too long in the oven.

The cross section of a pecan chocolate snowball cookie.

How long do cookies stay fresh?

I find that these cookies are best when eaten within 1-2 days. You can technically store them for longer than that, but the powdered sugar coating will start to dissolve over time. You can re-roll your cookies in powdered sugar right before serving if you’re planning to store your cookies for a while.

Snowball cookies are a welcome addition to any holiday party, and I find that they’re often the first treat to be eaten! I love that this recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, so it’s perfect for entertaining. All of your guests will be asking for the recipe!

More holiday desserts

  • Peppermint Brownies
  • Red Velvet Cookies
  • Reindeer Chow
  • Candy Cane Hearts
  • Buckeye Balls

Snowball Cookies Video


Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin,
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5 from 18 votes

Snowball Cookies

These snowball cookies are light and tender cookies studded with pecans and chocolate chips, then rolled in powdered sugar. A melt in your mouth treat that's perfect for the holidays!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 48
Calories 96kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
  • Place the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of a mixer and beat until light and fluffy. 
  • Add the vanilla extract and beat for 30 seconds.
  • Add the flour, pecans and chocolate chips. Mix on low speed until a crumbly dough forms.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared pans.
  • Bake for 16-18 minutes until light brown. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in the powdered sugar.
  • Let the cookies cool completely then roll again in powdered sugar. Serve.

Notes

Adapted from Land O Lakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 16mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!

This post was originally published on November 26, 2018 and was updated on November 13, 2019 with new content.

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Filed Under: Baking, Cookies, Dessert

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    Comments

    1. Jan says

      December 12, 2020 at 4:46 pm

      5 stars
      For some reason I couldn’t locate the recipe I usually make so I made this one. This recipe is so much better than my family favorite recipe! I’m so happy to find your site and this amazing recipe!

      Reply
    2. Robin says

      December 9, 2020 at 8:47 am

      5 stars
      Can I leave out nuts and add extra choc chips?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 9, 2020 at 4:45 pm

        Yes that’s fine!

        Reply
    3. Laura Reese says

      November 20, 2019 at 7:29 am

      This recipe is a classic. I love the addition of chocolate chips. I can’t wait to share this with everyone.

      Reply
    4. Toni says

      November 20, 2019 at 6:08 am

      5 stars
      My kids loved these! They kept on asking for more!

      Reply
    5. Lauren Kelly says

      November 20, 2019 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      We made these over the weekend for a holiday party and everyone loved them! I gave three people the recipe!

      Reply
    6. Beth says

      November 19, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      I really love these for the holidays! My mom always had them around. The chocolate chips are a great addition!

      Reply
    7. Katie says

      November 19, 2019 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for the family and it was a hit!

      Reply
    8. Cynthia says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:10 am

      Can you leave out the chocolate chips?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 17, 2018 at 9:44 am

        Yes, just add 1/2 cup of pecans instead!

        Reply
    9. carol says

      December 2, 2018 at 11:14 am

      can these be frozen

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 2, 2018 at 1:37 pm

        I would freeze them before you add the powdered sugar, then roll them in powdered sugar after they’ve thawed!

        Reply
    10. Debbie says

      December 1, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved these and they will be on our holiday table again!

      Reply
    11. Mary Edwards says

      November 29, 2018 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      This will be a perfect addition to our Holiday cookie swap. Minus the almonds and add double chocolate chips! Thanks!

      Reply
    12. Vanessa Delia says

      November 28, 2018 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      There are just certain cookies that are tied emotionally to a specific time or holiday. These are my go-to Christmas cookies. I love them for gifts and for all my Christmas entertaining.

      Reply
    13. Cindy Gordon says

      November 28, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      These are my absolute favorite cookies of all time. I have never tried them with chocolate chips.That sounds like a heavenly addition.

      Reply
    14. Kristine Nicole Alessandra says

      November 28, 2018 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      Oh these look delicious! They’d be perfect to take to our family get together this Christmas. The little nephews and nieces would love this. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    15. Bryan says

      November 28, 2018 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      Is it wrong if I make a batch of these but I don’t share?! I feel like I’d devour them before anyone got a chance to try them haha

      Reply
    16. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

      November 28, 2018 at 5:34 am

      5 stars
      These are perfect holiday treats!!

      Reply
    17. Connie says

      November 27, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      5 stars
      I love that this recipe doesn’t need a laundry list of ingredients. Short and simple and by golly… they look absolutely scrumptious!! I need to make these soon!

      Reply
    18. Danielle Smith says

      November 27, 2018 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      These are some delicious-looking cookies! I’m sure I’d have to hide them from my family, or, make some for them, and some for me!

      Reply
    19. Brianne says

      November 27, 2018 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      Those won’t last long in our house! May have to double or triple the recipe! They look amazingly delicious!

      Reply
    20. Stacie says

      November 27, 2018 at 11:14 am

      5 stars
      Those look so good! I have to make these for the holiday. I also have to make sure that I don’t eat them all!

      Reply

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