When the air gets chilly and the holiday lights start twinkling, nothing feels more like Christmas than a tray of freshly baked cookies. These Christmas Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies bring together a rich, nutty shortbread base, finely chopped pecans, and a soft dusting of powdered sugar they melt in your mouth with every bite. Perfect for cookie platters, gift tins, or cozy evenings by the fire, these snowball cookies are easy to make but feel elegant and festive. They’re buttery, nutty, festive a classic holiday treat you’ll want to bake again and again.
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What Is / Why It’s Special
The “snowball cookie” (also called Russian Tea Cake, Mexican Wedding Cookie, or butterball) is a beloved holiday classic: a buttery, crumbly shortbread studded with nuts and coated in powdered sugar. What sets these apart is the pecan-rich dough and the luxurious buttery-nutty flavor. When baked and coated, each cookie resembles a little snowball soft, tender inside, melt-in-your-mouth, with a nutty crunch and a delicate sugar coating that evokes freshly fallen snow.
Why These Cookies Shine
- Deep, rich buttery-pecan flavor, richer than plain shortbread.
- Simple recipe few ingredients, straightforward method. (Just like ForeignFork’s 6-ingredient version.)
- Festive appearance: sugar coating makes them look like holiday snowballs, ideal for Christmas platters or gift tins.
- Versatile & forgiving: easy to adapt (nuts, sugar type, presentation) good for home bakers of any level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
🥄 Dough & Base
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 to 1 ¼ cups finely chopped pecans (toasted ideally)
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
🍪 Optional Add-ons / Variations
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg (for warm spice twist)
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt (if using salted butter)
- Alternative nuts: walnuts, almonds for variation or allergy swap
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Toast the Pecans (Optional but Recommended)
Pre-heat oven to 325 °F (165 °C). Spread pecan halves on a baking tray and toast for 5-8 min until fragrant. Let cool, then finely chop. Toasting the nuts brings out deeper nutty oils and richer flavor a trick often used in high-quality snowball recipes.
Step 2 – Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and light. Mix in vanilla.
Step 3 – Combine Dry Ingredients + Pecans
Gradually add flour, salt mix until combined. Then gently fold in chopped pecans until evenly distributed. Dough will be soft but holds shape when pressed.
Step 4 – Form Dough Balls
Using a small scoop or spoon, shape dough into 1-inch balls. For even baking, try to keep them uniform in size.
Step 5 – Bake
Place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 1–2 inches apart. Bake at 325 °F for about 12–15 minutes bottoms may look barely golden, tops will stay pale. Avoid over-baking to keep cookies tender.
Step 6 – Powdered Sugar Coating (Double Roll)
Immediately after baking, while cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar. Once cooled, roll them again for a thick, snowy coating. This double coating gives the classic “snowball” look and soft melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Tips / Variations / Why You’ll Love It
✅ Tips for Best Results
- Use unsalted butter so you control salt and sweetness.
- Toast pecans unlocks deeper nutty flavor.
- Don’t over-bake cookies should stay pale, not browned.
- Double-roll in powdered sugar for best snowy finish.
- Cool completely before storing sugar may melt or clump if warm.
🌟 Variations
- Spiced Snowballs: add ½ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg for warm holiday spice.
- Chocolate-drizzled: after sugar coating, drizzle melted dark or white chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Nut-free version: swap pecans for toasted sunflower seeds or shredded coconut (texture changes slightly).
- Gluten-free version: substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free blend + ¼ tsp xanthan gum cookie stays crumbly & buttery.
- Mini snowballs: use ½-inch dough balls for bite-size cookies (great for cookie swaps / kids).
🎁 Why You’ll Love It
- Quick to make, few ingredients, but rich in flavor
- Classic holiday vibe timeless, crowd-pleasing
- Great for gifting, cookie exchanges, holiday trays
- Easy to scale for a large batch ideal for parties
🌟Holiday Cookie Swap & Gift-Tin Strategy
Want to make these cookies stand out on a holiday cookie swap or as homemade gifts? Bake a double batch, let them fully cool, then layer them in decorative tins or mason jars with pieces of parchment paper between layers. Tie with a festive ribbon and add a small gift tag: “Merry Christmas Buttery Pecan Snowballs.” They travel well, stay fresh for days, and make a thoughtful, home-made present that tastes elegant but feels cozy.
🌟Family Baking Night & Memory Building
These cookies are perfect for a family baking night. Kids can help scoop dough, roll balls, and dust with powdered sugar no complicated shaping or cutting required. The act of rolling cookies and dusting sugar becomes a fun holiday ritual. And the payoff? Soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that everyone loves, plus warm smells and shared memories around the kitchen a simple way to make holiday traditions at home.
❓ FAQs
Can I freeze unbaked dough or baked cookies?
Yes, you can freeze shaped dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready, bake from frozen (add 1–2 min bake time). Baked cookies freeze well too; thaw at room temperature, then re-dust with powdered sugar for fresh look.
My cookies spread too much / lost shape what went wrong?
Common causes: butter too warm, dough not firm, dough ball too large or uneven. Chill dough and shape into smaller balls for best results.
My cookies aren’t melt-in-the-mouth they feel heavy/dry what can I adjust?
Make sure not to over-bake cookies should remain pale. Use finely chopped toasted pecans, and don’t skimp on butter or powdered sugar coating.
I’m allergic to tree nuts can I make nut-free snowballs?
Yes. Swap pecans for toasted sunflower seeds or shredded coconut. The texture will vary slightly, but you’ll still get tender, buttery cookies dusted in sugar.
🎁 Conclusion
These Christmas Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are the perfect balance of buttery richness, nutty depth, and cozy holiday charm. Whether you bake them for a quiet night in, a holiday cookie swap, or as homemade gifts, they bring warmth, sweetness, and festive spirit to every table.
✨ Try them this week and tag @EatTreatsRecipes on Pinterest or Instagram because comfort should always be this delicious!