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Your family will go crazy over this Snowball Cookies. Each bite is buttery and delicious with lots of powdered sugar on top. They are so good and we look for any excuse to make snowball cookies.
I’m so excited to share with you this delicious snowball cookies recipe. It is one of the recipes in our Christmas cookie recipes series but this cookie is perfect year round. They are seriously the best. My kids can’t get enough of them and I love them just as much.
Even better, you probably already have what you need to make these heavenly cookies. You only need a few ingredients and they are really pantry staples. Make sure to all check out Avalanche Cookies, Coffee Cake Cookies and Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies for even more delicious cookie recipes.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
The best part about these buttery snowball cookies are the easy ingredients. If you enjoy this delicious and easy cookie recipe, I hope you try these easy butter cookies recipe or no bake cookies recipe as well. They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
This Snowball Cookies are the perfect recipe to start your holiday baking. This classic cookie is so delicious, full of flavor and melt-in your mouth texture.
Ingredients
- Butter – We used unsalted butter which forms the base of these cookies
- Powdered Sugar– We add a little in the dough and for coating the cookies
- Salt – A little salt helps to balance out the sweetness
- Almonds or Pecans – This is an optional ingredient but love the extra crunch it gives the cookies. You can also use chopped pistachios.
- Vanilla – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor
- Flour – This helps with the structure of the cookie
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations and Subsitution Ideas
- Chopped Nuts – You can use whichever you prefer in the cookie. They are both delicious but we prefer chopped pecans. You can also substitute with peanut butter for a delicious variation.
- Addition – For even more flavor, try mixing in mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or crushed peppermint candy for the perfect Christmas cookie.
How to Make Snowball Cookies
- Step 1 – Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2 – Chop nuts in food processor to finely chop.
Step 3 – Cream butter, salt and ½ cup confectioners’ sugar together until fluffy in a mixing bowl. Add in nuts and 3 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat until blended. Slowly add in flour, mixing well in the butter mixture.
Step 4 – Shape into 1/2-3/4″ balls. (We use cookie scoops to make this quick and easy.) Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Step 5 – Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden brown on the bottom. Allow to cool before removing from cookie sheet. You can use wire racks to cool after a few minutes.
Step 6 – Fill a zippered bag with remaining powdered sugar.
Step 7 – Gently shake each cookie in bag so it is well coated. Place on wire rack.
Recipe Tips
- Ice Cream Scoop – If you are still scooping cookies with two spoons, you really need to get yourself some stainless steel scoops. I have had mine for several years and I use them for all types of baking. It also helps to keep the cookie dough balls about the same size to bake evenly.
- Prepare Baking Sheet – Try using a baking sheet with parchment paper to help with cleanup. This is a time saver!
- Coating Cookies – I like to coat with cookies with powdered sugar while still warm. It helps the powdered sugar adhere to the cookies better.
- Chopping Nuts – If you don’t yet, make sure you have a food processor to finely chop of the nuts in this Snowball cookie recipe. Amazon has several on sale right now. It is optional but sure makes baking easier. You can also place in a zip lock bag and crush with a rolling pin.
- Buying Nuts – Almonds and pecans can be quite pricey, so my money saving tip is to buy it in Bulk. We actually buy our Almonds at Sam’s because they are so much cheaper and I keep them in the refrigerator so they last longer.
- Combining Ingredients – Combine the ingredients with a stand mixer with paddle attachment or electric mixer on medium speed until everything is mixed together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our family absolutely loves these snowball cookies. You might also hear people call the cookies Russian tea cakes Mexican wedding cookies. Whatever you call them, they are melt in your mouth cookies and taste amazing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies will stay fresh for up to a week if stored properly. To prevent the cookies from sticking, we like to place parchment paper in between the layers.
If you prefer to make these cookies ahead of time, you can freeze the cookie dough. Prepare the dough as indicated and then roll into balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet and freeze for a few hours. Then place in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. This will allow you take out and thaw in the fridge that you are ready to bake.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
Easy Cookie
No Bake Pretzel Cookies
Easy Cookie
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Easy Cookie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
If you make these Snowball Cookies, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter
- 1 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 cup Almonds or Pecans
- 3 tsp Vanilla
- 2 cup All Purpose Flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Chop nuts in food processor to finely chop.
- Cream butter, salt and ½ cup powdered sugar together until fluffy.
- Add in nuts and vanilla and beat until blended.
- Alowly add in flour, mixing well.
- Shape into 1/2-3/4″ balls.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool before removing from cookie sheet.
- Fill a zippered bag with remaining powdered sugar.
- Gently shake each cookie in bag so it is well coated.
You are so sweet! I love that story. Thank you for sharing your story.
These cookies go by many names. I call them Betty’s cookies. When I was a hospice social worker, I visited a sweet lady named Betty who was baking these in her little apartment her last Christmas. Betty LOVED Christmas!!!! So I bake these every Christmas and share with someone. Sometimes a local hospice care center in honor of Betty
Yes, walnuts would be delicious in this recipe.
I use all purpose flour for this recipe.
I use all purpose flour for this recipe.
Can you use walnuts?
I have made these for years my only problem is they fall apart when rolling them in the powdered sugar? Am I not baking them long enough?
What kind of flour? Self-rising or all purpose?
What kind of flour is used in this recipe? Sounds delicious!!
Is this self rising or all purpose flour?
Our family has made these cookies for years. The only difference is we do not add pecans but walnuts. Gives the cookie such a better taste. I have not ever seen this recipe calling for walnuts but give it a try and you won’t be disappointed.
Winner, winner. Melt in your mouth. Made mine with GF flour and still were so light and fluffy. Delicious