Go Back

Best Snowball Cookies Recipe

These classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, nutty, and coated in soft powdered sugar. They bake into tender melt-in-your-mouth holiday treats that look just like little snowballs.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 60
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 62
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup very finely chopped pecans
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar or more as needed

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula
  • Baking sheets (ungreased)
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Shallow bowl for powdered sugar
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven: Gather ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Mix in flour, pecans, and salt until fully incorporated.
  4. Shape the Cookies: Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  5. Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden and tops remain pale.
  6. First Sugar Coating: Let cookies sit briefly, then roll the hot cookies in ⅓ cup powdered sugar and return to racks to cool.
  7. Second Sugar Coating: Once fully cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again.