Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

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If you’re looking for a sweet treat that melts in your mouth and brings smiles all around the table, these Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are it. They’re soft, crumbly, coated in powdered sugar, and packed with nutty pecan flavor.

My kids always call them “snowball cookies” because they look like little snow-covered treasures—and honestly, they’re just as magical! Perfect for the holidays, bake sales, or even a cozy weekend at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Kid-Friendly – little hands love helping roll the dough balls and tossing them in powdered sugar.
• Simple Pantry Ingredients – flour, sugar, butter, vanilla, and pecans—nothing fancy required.
• Festive Favorite – they look beautiful on holiday cookie trays.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – they store well, so you can bake a batch ahead of time.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Mix in the flour, salt, vanilla extract, and pecans until the dough is well combined.
4. Shape dough into 36 small balls (about 1 inch each) and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden (the tops will stay pale).
6. Let cookies cool completely on the pan.
7. Place the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl and gently roll each cooled cookie until fully coated.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra nutty flavor, toast the pecans before chopping.
• If the dough feels too soft, chill it for 15–20 minutes before rolling.
• Roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice (once while warm, once after cooling) for a thicker coating.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

FAQ

1. Can I use a different nut?
Yes! Walnuts or almonds work just as well, though pecans give the richest flavor.

2. Do I need to chill the dough?
Not always, but chilling helps if your kitchen is warm and the dough feels sticky.

3 Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.

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