Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

These Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar. They are a favorite holiday cookie recipe!

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

Today I’m sharing one of my very favorite Christmas cookie recipes: snowball cookies. If you’ve never tried these powdered sugar-coated delights, you need to add them to your holiday baking list. They become a fast favorite of just about everyone who tries them!

You’ll love these cookies because:

  • They have the best rich, buttery flavor andmelt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Chopped pecans bring a subtle toasty, nutty flavor.
  • The cookies are dusted with powdered sugar for a pretty “snowball” look.

My family has always called these cookies butter snowballs. They go by many names, including Snowball Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Snowballs and Butter Balls. Whatever you call them, they are a classic! Their rich, buttery flavor makes it almost impossible to eat just one.

The recipe for these snowball cookies was my great-grandmother’s. My mom has my great-grandmother’s handwritten recipe card for these cookies, and years ago I copied it for myself. It’s the kind of recipe card that says things like, “1-2 cups nuts” and “chill dough until easy to handle.” I modified the recipe just a bit to give you more specific instructions, so your cookies will turn out just perfect!

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

These bite-sized cookies are sure to disappear quickly! To round out your holiday cookie spread, try these other favorite Christmas cookie recipes: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies and Biscotti. These are always on our cookie baking list!

Snowball Cookies Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need just five simple ingredients, plus salt, to make this cookie recipe. And you won’t even need any eggs! Actually, these snowball cookies are one of the few cookies I make that are egg-free. These Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies are another.

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (3)

  • Butter: Butter gives these cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth rich buttery flavor. Use unsalted butter or reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
  • Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, or confectioners’ sugar, is used to sweeten the cookies. The cookies are also rolled in powdered sugar after baking, to give them their classic “snowball” look.
  • Salt: A little bit of salt enhances all of the flavors.
  • Vanilla Extract: For an extra touch of sweetness and a hint of vanilla flavor. Feel free to use almond extract instead for a hint of almond flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: For an accurate measurement, be sure to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off. If you scoop the flour directly with the measuring cup it can pack in too much flour.
  • Pecans: Chopped pecans add a delicious nutty flavor to these cookies. You can substitute chopped walnuts if you prefer.

Recipe Variation

You can substitute 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips for the chopped nuts to make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies. They are a delicious nut-free alternative to the classic recipe!

How to Make Snowball Cookies

  1. Beat together the butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  2. Mix in the salt and vanilla extract until incorporated.
  3. Add the flour and nuts and mix in on low speed. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (5)
  4. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours, until it is easy to work with.
  5. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (6)
  6. Bake cookies at 350° F for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden brown on the bottom.
  7. Let cool for 5 minutes and then roll in powdered sugar. Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (7)
  8. Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them in powdered sugar a second time.

Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

Snowball Cookies Recipe Tips

  • Use room temperature butter. Softened butter will cream together with the powdered sugar much more easily. If you need the butter to soften quickly, cutting it into smaller pieces will help it to soften faster.
  • Chop the nuts finely. If you have a food processor, it makes the job of chopping the nuts quick and easy.
  • If the dough is too firm after chilling to roll into balls, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, or until it softens up.
  • Let them rest before rolling. The cookies will be very delicate right after baking. Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then carefully roll them in powdered sugar. Once they’re completely cool, roll them a second time to give them more of a powdered sugar coating.
  • I like to make these cookies very small. Roll the dough into 1-inch (or smaller) balls.

Storage Tips

  • Room Temperature: Snowball cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
  • Freezer: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature. You may wish to re-roll previously frozen cookies in powdered sugar before serving.

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

More Favorite Cookie Recipes

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
  • Candy Cane Cookies
  • Chocolate Dipped Molasses Cookies
  • Gingerdoodle Cookies

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (9)

5 from 6 ratings

Snowball Cookies

Servings: 36 cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

These Snowball Cookies are soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar. They have the best rich, buttery flavor. Make them with chopped pecans, walnuts, or mini chocolate chips. A favorite holiday cookie recipe!

Print Recipe Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or almond extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans*, or walnuts
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling the cookies

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer, beat together butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until creamy.

  • Add the salt and vanilla (or almond) extract, and beat until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Add the flour and nuts and beat on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days, until easy to handle.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden on the bottom.

  • Let cool for 5 minutes, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Let cookies cool completely and then roll in powdered sugar a second time.

Notes

  • If you have a food processor, it is an easy way to finely chop the nuts.
  • If the dough is too firm after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it is soft enough to roll into balls.
  • To make these cookies without nuts, you can omit the nuts or substitute 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips.
  • Cookies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 111kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 33mg, Potassium: 22mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 159IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Snowball Cookies Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why do my snowball cookies go flat? ›

Flat cookies: If they flattened while baking, it's likely the dough was too warm or the cookie sheet was hot. Keep dough in the refrigerator between batches. Dry and crumbly texture: There was too much flour added or they were over-baked. Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements.

What is a farmhouse cookie? ›

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse. ®

Perfectly baked, thin and crispy cookies that melt in your mouth. Our Farmhouse Cookies are baked with care using real ingredients like rich chocolate, creamery butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Choose a product: Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse® Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies.

How many calories are in one snowball cookie? ›

Joma Bakery Cafe Snowball Cookie (1 cookie) contains 6.3g total carbs, 5.9g net carbs, 5g fat, 1.2g protein, and 74 calories.

How many calories in a homemade snowball? ›

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 145 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 95mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

Why is my snowball cookie dough crumbly? ›

Not enough liquid

There are a few things you can do if your cookie dough is too dry and crumbly. First, try adding more liquid to the dough. This could be milk, water, or even just additional eggs. If that doesn't work, you could also try melting some butter and adding it to the dough.

How do you make cookies not fluffy and flat? ›

Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

What are grandma cookies? ›

GRANDMA'S® cookies offer a delicious variety of homemade memories. With flavors like chocolate, peanut butter and lemon pie, every GRANDMA'S treat is baked with love to transport you to your happy place with every bite.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

The origins of "cowboy cookies" are unknown although they have been variously attributed to Texas or the Old West. The story that describes them in originating in the Old West claims that they were eaten by cowboys as a high energy snack that could be easily carried.

What is a carnival cookie? ›

🎡The Carnival Cookie🎡 A massive, buttery-soft sugar cookie topped with. smooth vanilla buttercream icing and garnished. generously with rainbow sprinkles.

Can you freeze snowballs? ›

Yes, you can freeze snowball cookies for up to two months. For the best results, freeze the cookie dough before baking and rolling in powdered sugar. Arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet, cover, and freeze for a few hours or up to overnight.

How many carbs in a snowball? ›

Lees' Snowballs (1 snowball) contains 9.6g total carbs, 9.2g net carbs, 2.9g fat, 0.4g protein, and 65 calories.

How much sugar is in a hostess snowball? ›

Available Sizes
Nutrition Facts
Total Sugars 20g
Includes 20g Added Sugars40%
Protein 1g
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
15 more rows

Is a snowball a cake or a biscuit? ›

Two Lanarkshire-based confectionery firms are set to receive a windfall tax rebate after judges ruled Snowball snacks were technically cakes. Lees of Scotland and Tunnock's faced a combined tax bill of £2.8m after HM Revenue and Customs insisted Snowballs did not enjoy the same exemption from VAT as tea cakes.

How can I keep my cookies from going flat? ›

If your cookies come out of the oven looking flat, you may not have adequately chilled the dough before baking. Chilling times may vary depending on the cookie you're making, but you should typically chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours before you pop it in the oven.

Why do my cookies stay in a ball? ›

Yes, but if you add too much flour, your cookies won't spread as they bake. Too much flour causes the dough to become dry and crumbly, which prevents it from flattening out during baking. As a result, your cookies will stay in their original shape instead of spreading out into nice circles.

Why do cookies flatten as they cool? ›

Why do my cookies go flat when I take them out of the oven? If your cookies look perfect in the oven and fall flat upon taking them out, you may have used too much sugar or too little flour. Always be sure to measure carefully using a kitchen scale and be careful not to over-bake.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 5874

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.