Easy to make Snowball Cookies that will melt in your mouth. These classic Christmas Cookies are made with pecans and then rolled in powdered sugar for a light, tender cookie everyone is going to love!
Snowball Cookies Recipe
Ok, I’m not here to proclaim that Snowball Cookies are my favorite Christmas cookie (it’s so hard to pick just 1!) but these are high up there on my cookie list.
These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are not only delicious, but they’re so easy to make! To show you how easy they are to make, I made a quick recipe video that you walks you through the steps! My 3 year old daughter helped me make these cookies!
What Are Russian Tea Cakes?
What do you call these cookies? I’ve heard a variety of different terms for classic Snowball cookies. Some call them Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cakes, and I’ve even heard some call them butter balls.
Russian Tea Cakes (or snowball cookies) are commonly baked around the holiday season. They are a form of Jumble which was a popular cookie pastry made in the Middle Ages. Jumbles were popular during that time because they traveled and kept so well, thanks to their hard nature being made with nuts or seeds.
Although in the Middle Ages they were known to keep these cookies around for a year without becoming stale, I dare you to keep them around for a week without eating them all up!
Ingredients
You only need 6 basic ingredients for this recipe. You probably already have everything in your kitchen!
- Butter (softened)
- Confectioners’ Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Finely Chopped Pecans
Other nuts can be used in this recipe (like walnuts), but I prefer using pecans for these cookies. You want to make sure they are finely chopped, so they don’t overwhelm the cookies. Simply take a handful and throw them in your food processor. A few pulses later you’ll have the exact consistency that you want.
How Do You Make Snowball Cookies?
Start this snowball cookie recipe by creaming together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract, together in a mixing bowl.
In another bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Combine the flour mixture with the butter mixture and stir well to fully incorporate the ingredients. Add the finely chopped pecans and stir so they are equally distributed. I do this with a spoon.
Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll cookie dough into balls and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet or silicone baking mats. When rolling the cookies, keep the balls on the smaller side, about 1 inch. This will help them hold their shape when they are baking.
Bake for around 10 minutes or until cookies are light brown on the bottom.
Remove from oven. While cookies are still warm roll each cookie in powdered sugar.
I hope you enjoy these Snowball Cookies as much as my family loves them!
Why are my snowball cookies falling apart?
Your cookies are probably falling apart because you didn’t chill the dough long enough. The cookie dough needs to chill for a minimum of 30 minutes. I always like to chill for a little longer.
Why do you want to chill the dough? These cookies have flour in them, so chilling the dough permits the gluten strands in the flour to cause a rubbery texture in the final cookie. Also, having the dough chilled makes it much easier to roll up all the dough into balls when it’s time to bake them.
They also might be falling apart because they are too dry. Try adding a tablespoon of two of milk to the batter and mix with your hands.
How do you store snowball cookies?
These cookies keep well, stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. The cookie dough can be made in advance and frozen for up to one month.
Other Favorite Holiday Cookies To Try:
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Blossoms
Christmas Cookies you can bake with kids
Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Chow Mein Cookies
Easy Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Pretzel Cookies
Gingerbread Men (and Women) Cookies
Nutella Butter Cookies
Pin for later:
Snowball Cookies
PrintIngredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/4 cup confectioners powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- additional powdered sugar to roll cookies in
Instructions
- Cream together butter, powdered sugar and vanilla together in large bowl.
- In another bowl mix together flour and salt.
- Add flour mixture into butter bowl and mix until crumbly and well combined.
- Add chopped pecans and stir with a spoon so they are equally distributed.
- Chill dough for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Roll dough in 1 inch balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheet or silicone baking mats.
- Bake 9 to 10 minutes, or until bottoms are light brown. Remove from oven.
- Add about 1/4 cup of powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Now my favorite part – eat them! Store cookies in an airtight container.
Winnie says
Doesn’t matter how you call them, they are super delicious!!
grace says
they have so many names, and they’re probably the quintessential christmas cookie. lovely images and great post! merry christmas. 🙂
lorraine williamson says
love these will be making them soon thanks for sharing following from weary chef I’m lorraine at http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
These were called snowballs when I was growing up and I haven’t had them since I left home. I loved them as a kid and yours look smashing.
Irina @ wandercrush says
So festive and adorable! I want to stack three up and make it into an edible snowman.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I just made a version of these too – they are so good and perfect for the holidays!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
These are my favorite cookies to make also. Been making them since I was a kid. We called them Pecan Sandies in the middle of Kansas. And that’s before Keebler made their commercial ones. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
holly ; the hobbit kitchen says
these look beautiful pamela! i love pecan nuts in anything, so i bet these are delicious! 🙂
the hobbit kitchen x
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
These cookies are so pretty! I love them. I’ve never tried snowball cookies before, but I’m sure they must be totally delicious.
Pinned!
ela@GrayApron says
Me too, me too…I call them delicious! 🙂 ela
Catherine@farmhousehome says
Yes, I love powdered sugar as much as you do! These cookies look melt in your mouth delicious! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, enjoy the holiday season.
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Yep, I will call them delicious too!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
I love the name and sound of these!
Sarah & Arkadi says
Delicious indeed!
Beth @ bethcakes says
These cookies are so adorable! I think I usually call them snowballs, but I’ve heard most of those other names as well. I love that you included some of the backstory of these cookies. I learned something new today! 🙂
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Ooooh snowball cookies (though I like to call them delicious as well) are my favorite! I’m trying your recipe tomorrow, I think!! Holy Moly, these look fantastic! x
kimmythevegan says
Mmmm I would like to eat these in your rooftop vegetable garden with you!!!
Fun =)
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
I absolutely love these cookies. One of my holiday favorites. There is no way they would last a year in my house.
Mary Frances says
Buttery, nutty, and magical! These are definitely on my top ten list for cookies!
yummychunklet says
These teacakes sound delicious.
Pam says
They look festive and absolutely delicious!
Ashley says
We call them snowballs! And make some every Christmas : ) I can’t wait to make a batch with my mom on Christmas Eve – with my grandma’s recipe! These of course look delicious – you’re making me want them now!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
I see such a variation of names but I call them crazy delicious!! They look so yummy!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Thanks for sharing a little of the history! I would have never guessed their origin.
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
I call them delicious, too! There are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. You’ve been rocking the cookie week, Pamela! And your photos have been so pretty!
Joanne says
I’ve always called them snowballs, but the.boy calls them some random greek name. Whatever their name, I love them!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
I will call them delicious because that is what they are!!
Monica says
I have got to make myself some snowballs! The people from the Middle Ages knew good food, apparently. These are great for the holidays and I adore nuts in any kind of cookie.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
These look awesome Pamela! And I love the vertical photography!
Johlene says
I love the name snowballs but I dont think I´ll have time to pronounce the name cause
I´ll be popping a few of these into my mouth..lol Happy weekend! Xx