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 eggnog cake, cream cheese spritz cookies, M&M 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 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. I added the chocolate because I think it really amps up the flavor of these Christmas cookies, and it’s fun to bite into a pure white cookie and see little flecks of chocolate goodness inside!

When you are in the mood for a Christmas recipe, try some of my favorite holiday dishes dishes like Christmas cookie dough dip, Christmas crack and slow cooker apple cider.

To make these delicious snowball cookies you will need butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, flour, pecans, miniature chocolate chips and powdered sugar.

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

How Do You Make Snowball Cookies?

To make this snowball cookie recipe start by beating butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, flour, pecans and mini chocolate chips. Mix everything together until they form a crumbly shortbread style dough. Form the dough into little balls. Place them on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven until they are light brown. Finish the cookies with two coats of powdered sugar for an irresistible treat!

Balls of dough ready to be baked.

Tips For The Perfect Cookies

  • 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.
  • Finely chop the pecans so that they can be evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Use a stand mixer or electric mixer to make the dough.
  • You can freeze the cookie dough for up to one month, then thawed it and bake it at a later date.
  • You can store snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Quick Tip

Dip the cookies in powdered sugar two times – once when they’re hot, and a second time after they’ve cooled off.

Baked snowball cookies on a sheet pan.

Recipe FAQs

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.

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.

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The cross section of a pecan chocolate snowball cookie.

Flavor Variations

These cookies are fantastic treats as written; however, you can change the flavors to suit your own taste.

  • No chocolate: Traditionally, snowball cookies are made with pecans, not chocolate. If you prefer to stick with pecans, you can add more nuts in place of the chocolate.
  • Nuts: If you don’t want to use pecans, you can substitute walnuts or almonds instead. You could also add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract.
  • Orange: Make an orange version of the cookie by omitting the chocolate chips, adding more chopped pecans, 1 tablespoon of orange zest and one tablespoon of orange juice.
  • Maple: Try a maple flavored cookie by removing chocolate chips, adding more chopped pecans and two tablespoons of maple syrup.

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

Snowball Cookies Video


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Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

5 from 19 votes

Snowball Cookies

AuthorSara Welch
Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin,
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!
Time
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Serves 48

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

  1. Keep these cookies on the smaller side so that they hold their round shape when they bake.
  2. You can use a measuring spoon or cookie scoop to make sure the cookies come out similar in size.
  3. Dip the cookies in powdered sugar two times – once when they’re hot, and a second time after they’ve cooled off.
  4. Finely chop the pecans so that they can be evenly distributed throughout the dough.

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

Hello! I’m Sara!

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Comments

  1. 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!

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

  3. 5 stars
    This will be a perfect addition to our Holiday cookie swap. Minus the almonds and add double chocolate chips! Thanks!

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

  7. 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

  8. 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!

  9. 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!