Irresistible Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe for Winter Joy

Delicate and powdery, these buttery pecan snowball cookies melt seamlessly on your tongue with pure winter magic.

Generations of bakers have cherished this classic treat for its simple elegance.

Each bite transports you to cozy kitchen memories filled with warmth and sweetness.

The delightful snowball cookies crumble softly, releasing rich buttery notes and toasted pecan essence.

Rolled generously in confectioners’ sugar, these delicate cookies create a snowy landscape on your dessert plate.

Their tender texture and nutty flavor promise a delectable experience that connects generations of home bakers.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and create a batch of nostalgia that will delight everyone at your gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 156 kcal

Servings: 23

The Must-Have Ingredients For Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Unsalted Butter: Soft, high-quality butter creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and provides essential structure for the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a silky smooth sweetness and helps achieve the signature delicate, crumbly cookie texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth that complements the nutty pecan flavor and enhances overall sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans: Brings a delightful crunch, rich nuttiness, and earthy undertones to the classic snowball cookie.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure, ensuring the cookies hold their delicate shape while maintaining a tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, creating a more complex taste experience.

Simple Tools To Make Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Fast

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for beating butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure cookie success.
• Baking sheet: Key for evenly baking your snowball cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cookie removal.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain their delicate texture.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for folding in pecans and mixing dough.

How To Roll Out Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Perfectly

• Butter Blending

Create a creamy base by mixing softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

• Nutty Fusion

Introduce vanilla and gently fold in crunchy pecans, creating a symphony of flavors that will dance on your taste buds.

• Cookie Crafting

Tenderly shape small dough balls, placing them gracefully on a baking sheet, ready to become magical winter-inspired treats.

• Golden Transformation

Bake the cookies until their bottoms turn a delicate golden hue, releasing an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth.

• Snowy Embrace

While the cookies are still warm, lovingly roll them in a blanket of powdered sugar. After cooling, give them a second dusting, creating a stunning snow-white exterior that sparkles like freshly fallen winter magic.

Switch Things Up In Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

• Pecan Snowball Cookies Pro Tips & Variations
• Butter Quality Matters: Use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for the smoothest, most tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Toasting Pecans Technique: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add deeper, richer dimensions to your cookies.
• Gluten-Free Magic: Swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies accessible for those with gluten sensitivities without losing the classic snowball charm.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different nut variations like almonds or walnuts, or add a pinch of cinnamon or ground cardamom to introduce unexpected warmth and complexity to the traditional recipe.

Serving Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Around The Holidays

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the snowball cookies on a decorative Christmas plate with sprigs of fresh holly or mint leaves for a stunning seasonal presentation.
• Cozy Afternoon Tea Partner: Serve these delicate cookies alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a delightful sweet and warm combination.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or festive ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or cookie exchanges.
• Dessert Companion Delight: Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a small glass of dessert wine to elevate the nutty, buttery flavor of these melt-in-your-mouth treats.

How To Store Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Without Crumbling

• Freshness First: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delightful.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 2-3 days before baking, saving time during busy weeks.
• Freezer-Friendly Treats: Wrap unbaked dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to cooking time.
• Powdered Sugar Pro Tip: Keep extra powdered sugar in a separate container for final dusting, ensuring a clean and fresh coating when serving guests or enjoying later.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pecan Snowball Cookies

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful pecan snowball cookies bring Southern charm to holiday dessert tables. Crisp, powdery cookies melt in your mouth, offering sweet nutty comfort that connects generations of bakers.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (2 sticks/226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100 g) finely chopped pecans
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat: Warm the oven to 350F (175C), positioning the rack in the center for uniform heat distribution.
2. Prep Surface: Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a smooth, non-stick foundation for the cookies.
3. Cream Base: Whip softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale, incorporating vanilla extract to infuse delicate aromatics.
4. Develop Dough: Gently fold flour and salt into the butter mixture, then tenderly integrate chopped pecans, ensuring even distribution of nutty fragments throughout the delicate composition.
5. Shape Cookies: Craft uniform one-inch spheres from the dough, arranging them with thoughtful spacing on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake Transformation: Slide the sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to bake 12-15 minutes until edges develop a subtle golden hue.
7. Sugar Coating: Immediately after removing from the oven, while cookies remain warm, gently roll each in powdered sugar for an initial light dusting.
8. Final Finish: Once completely cooled, perform a second rolling in powdered sugar, creating a pristine, snow-like exterior that transforms these treats into winter’s delicate confection.

Notes

• Chill Dough for Precision: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect snowball shape.
• Handle with Care: Use light, gentle touches when forming cookie balls to keep them delicate and prevent dense, tough textures.
• Control Sugar Coating: Apply powdered sugar in two stages – while warm and after cooling – for a thick, even, snow-like coverage that doesn’t clump.
• Nut Substitution Strategy: Swap pecans with almonds or walnuts for different flavor profiles, ensuring similar chopped sizes for consistent texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 156
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 12 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg