Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe: Pure Winter Joy!

Delicate and powdery snowball cookies blend southern pecans with classic holiday charm.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats sparkle like winter’s first gentle snowfall.

Nutty warmth radiates through each delectable bite, promising comfort and nostalgia.

Generations of bakers have cherished this simple yet magical recipe.

Crafting these delightful cookies connects you to cherished memories and sweet traditions.

Small kitchen moments create lasting happiness with minimal ingredients and maximum love.

You’ll want to dust these tender morsels with extra confectioners’ sugar and savor every crumbly, delicious memory.

Highlights of Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• These delightful snowball cookies require just a few basic ingredients and minimal kitchen skills, making them perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
• Whipping up a batch takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, ideal for last-minute gatherings, holiday parties, or spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies resemble tiny snowballs, creating a festive and visually appealing treat that captures the magic of winter celebrations.
• Kids will love helping roll the dough and coat the cookies in powdered sugar, transforming baking into a fun, interactive family activity that creates sweet memories.

Ingredients for Buttery Pecan Snowball Perfection

• Pecans: Provide a rich, nutty flavor and signature texture to the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the base structure and tender crumb of the snowball cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and creates the classic snowy coating.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy taste and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Choose unsalted butter for better control of salt content.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.

• Salt: Balances and intensifies the cookie's sweet flavors. Use fine table salt for even distribution.
• Additional Powdered Sugar: For rolling and coating the finished cookies, creating the signature snowball appearance.

Simple Guide to Making Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cookie removal and cleanup.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. The key is to create a smooth, creamy base that will give your cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 3: Add Flavor Enhancers

• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• All-purpose flour
• Finely chopped pecans

Stir until everything is perfectly combined, creating a consistent dough that holds together beautifully.

Step 4: Shape Magical Cookies

Roll the dough into small, uniform balls about the size of a walnut. Place them gently on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for the edges to turn a delicate golden color. The cookies should look set but not darkened.

Step 6: Create Snowy Coating

Once cookies are completely cooled, roll them generously in powdered sugar. This gives them their classic snowball appearance and adds an extra layer of sweet deliciousness.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange your beautiful pecan snowball cookies on a serving plate. They’re perfect with coffee, tea, or as a sweet afternoon treat that will make everyone smile.

Tips for Rolling and Baking Like a Pro

• Chill Dough Wisely: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape.
• Toast Pecans Perfectly: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add depth to the cookies.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar Smoothly: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar while they're still hot, then let them cool and roll again for a thicker, more even coating.
• Handle Gently When Warm: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after baking to firm up, preventing crumbling when transferring to a cooling rack.
• Store Strategically: Keep snowball cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.

Keeping Snowballs Fresh and Buttery for Days

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container, placing wax paper between layers. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months.
• Remove cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• If cookies lose crispness, warm briefly in the oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore texture.

Drinks and Treats That Pair Well with Snowballs

• Rich, hot coffee creates a delightful contrast with the delicate, buttery snowball cookies, cutting through their sweetness and enhancing the nutty pecan flavor.
• Choose a sweet dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti, which mirrors the cookie's powdered sugar coating and provides a light, effervescent finish that dances alongside the buttery texture.
• Serve alongside toasted almond or hazelnut liqueur to amplify the pecan's natural warmth and bring out deeper, richer undertones in the cookie's delicate profile.
• Enjoy these cookies slightly warm, allowing the butter to remain soft and the powdered sugar to create a delightful melt-in-your-mouth sensation that pairs wonderfully with cool, creamy vanilla bean ice cream.

New Flavors to Add to Your Snowball Batch

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly treat.
• Vegan Alternative: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use plant-based powdered sugar for coating to create a dairy-free option.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Substitute pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining the same delightful crumbly texture.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic snowball cookie flavor profile.

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Pecan Snowball Cookies crumble with Southern charm, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience of pure holiday bliss. Winter celebrations become magical when you savor these powdered sugar-dusted, nutty little treasures.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

Sweetening Ingredients:

• ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for optimal cookie release.
2. Pulverize pecans in a food processor until they reach a fine, sandy consistency, ensuring uniform texture throughout the mixture.
3. Cream together softened butter and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl, blending until the mixture becomes light and fluffy with a smooth appearance.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract and salt into the butter mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
5. Gradually fold ground pecans and flour into the creamed mixture, mixing gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Shape the dough into small, compact spheres approximately one inch in diameter, placing them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges and a slightly set appearance without excessive browning.
8. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, maintaining their delicate structure.
9. While still warm, carefully roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar, creating a soft, snow-like coating that completely envelops the surface.
10. Transfer the sugar-coated cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and solidify their signature powdery exterior.
11. Store the pecan snowball cookies in an airtight container, preserving their delicate texture and ensuring maximum freshness.

Notes

• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty, rich flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile in the cookies.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the signature round snowball shape.
• Use powdered sugar for rolling instead of granulated sugar for a smoother, more delicate coating that melts beautifully on the cookie surface.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies accessible to those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 136
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 29 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg