![Christmas Snowball Cookies - The only cookie recipe you need this holiday season.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1214 809"></svg>)
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Hi Bold Bakers!
Snowball Cookies are hands down without a doubt one of my favorite cookies! Also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, these are one of my favorite holiday cookies as they look so festive and taste even better!
What are Snowball Cookies?
Snowball cookies are an unusual combination of ground pecans, lots of butter, flour and a bit of sugar. The cookies themselves are not that sweet but are extremely rich from the butter and the nutty pecans. The combination of this almost savory interior with the sweet exterior of powdered sugar is just plain heavenly!
[If you like pecans you’ll love my No-Bake Pecan Pie Truffles which are just like a mini bite of pie covered in rich chocolate!]
How to Grind Pecans
The cookies feature ground pecans, giving them a crumbly texture and toasty flavor throughout. If you’ve never baked with ground nuts before you’ll love this. I grind up my pecans in a food processor then add them to the rest of the ingredients. This ensures each cookie is even in texture and full of that pecan flavor. You can mix this dough up in one bowl using a hand mixer or just a large whisk.
Why Are They Called Snowball Cookies?
After the dough comes together you form them into perfect little snowball shapes. These bake for just a short 12 minutes before they are bathed in a generous amount of powdered sugar while still warm. The warmth of the cookies heats the sugar-coating them with a lovely layer of sweetness and it does not stop there. After completely cooling these little snowballs get the second dip in powdered sugar.
This is what makes the flavor of these cookies so over the top and of course what makes them look like little snowballs!
![Classic Snowball Cookies, or Christmas Snowball Cookies, baked and displayed in a decorative tin, covered in powdered sugar.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 640 961"></svg> "Christmas Snowball Cookies Recipe in a decorative tin - Christmas Cookie Baking!")
Get more Holiday Cookies and baking tips and tricks at my Holiday Baking Headquarters page.
Be sure to check out some of my other favorite holiday treats!
![Gemma's Holiday Baking Headquarters Banner](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 832 695"></svg> "Gemma's Holiday Baking Headquarters Banner")
Follow Bigger Bolder Baking on Pinterest for more Holiday Baking ideas!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 14 minutes mins
Total Time 34 minutes mins
My classic Snowball Cookies recipe combines ground pecans, rich butter, and powder sugar to create a holiday cookie you'll want all year round!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8oz/225g) butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup (2 1/2oz/71g) sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (10oz/284g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (8oz/225g) toasted pecans* (finely ground)
- 1½ cups (6oz/172g) powdered sugar
Instructions
Using a large whisk or electric mixer cream together butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
Using a spatula, gradually add flour in 2 batches. Lastly, stir in the nuts and mix until fully incorporated.
Cover and refrigerate the dough for approximately 45 minutes. (You can store the dough in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 6 weeks)
Preheat to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
Place powdered sugar in a small bowl, set aside.
After chilling, use a 1 tablespoon measure to scoop your cookies. Roll between the palms of your hands to achieve a rounded ball. Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and DO NOT flatten, leave as little balls.
Bake in preheated oven for 14-15 minutes. Do not overbake. The underside of the cookies should be only lightly browned but the top will still be pale in color which is correct.
Cool cookies on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the powdered sugar.
Place the sugar-coated cookies on wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled roll cookies in the powdered sugar for a second time.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers
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