The Story & Intro
If there’s one holiday treat that instantly transports me back to childhood, it’s classic pecan snowball cookies those soft, buttery little rounds that melt the moment they hit your tongue. I still remember standing on my tiptoes, trying desperately to peek over my grandmother’s countertop as she rolled each warm cookie through a fluffy cloud of powdered sugar. It looked like magic to my little eyes, and honestly… it still does.
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
And these classic pecan snowball cookies? Oh, they’re the perfect example. They’re tiny bundles of joy that remind me of Christmas markets in Europe, warm sweaters, and the gentle crunch of pecans I learned to love in the U.S. Over the years, I’ve refined this recipe into something irresistibly tender, rich, and festive exactly the kind of treat you’ll want to share with family, package in gift tins, or munch on secretly with a late-night hot chocolate. (No judgment… I do it too 😉)
If you’re ready for melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness, let’s step into the coziest part of the kitchen and bake a batch of classic pecan snowball cookies that will make your home smell like pure holiday magic.
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
- Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
- Total Time: 45–55 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
4
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up these buttery little snowballs:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans, lightly toasted for best flavor
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling (about 1 to 1½ cups)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cream the Butter & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with ½ cup powdered sugar until it’s light, creamy, and dreamy like a fluffy cloud. Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
2. Add the Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle in the flour and salt. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. It’ll look crumbly at first don’t panic! Snowball cookie dough naturally pulls together slowly.
3. Fold in the Pecans
Stir in the chopped pecans until they’re evenly distributed. The dough should feel soft but hold together when pressed.
4. Chill the Dough (Optional but Fabulous)
Pop the dough into the fridge for 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies keep their perfect round shape while baking.
5. Roll Into Balls
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll between your palms to form smooth little balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
6. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. The tops will stay pale that’s what makes them look like little snowballs!
7. Roll in Powdered Sugar (Twice!)
While the cookies are still warm, gently roll each one in powdered sugar. Let them cool completely, then roll them again for that iconic snow-covered finish.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with hot chocolate, mulled cider, or a cup of coffee for the coziest winter pairing.
- Add them to a holiday cookie box with gingerbread, sugar cookies, and chocolate crinkles.
- Drizzle them with melted white chocolate for a fancy twist.
- For adults, they pair beautifully with a little glass of bourbon or amaretto.
📝 Notes
- Toasting the pecans enhances the nutty flavor just bake them at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until fragrant.
- You can swap pecans for walnuts or almonds.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to one week (they stay yummy for days!).
- These cookies freeze incredibly well freeze after baking but before rolling in sugar.
🍽️ Nutrition (per cookie)
- Calories: ~110
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 9g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 1g
(Values may vary depending on cookie size.)
Recipe Card
📜 Classic Pecan Snowball Cookies
✨ Buttery, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth holiday perfection!
⏱️ Time: 45–55 minutes
🍪 Yield: 24–30 cookies
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Extra powdered sugar (for rolling)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cream butter and ½ cup powdered sugar. Add vanilla.
- Mix in flour and salt.
- Stir in pecans. Chill 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into balls.
- Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar, cool, then roll again.
📝 Notes
- Toast pecans for richer flavor.
- Store up to one week or freeze un-sugared snowballs for later.
🍽️ Nutrition
Approx. 110 calories per cookie.
Conclusion
There you go, mon ami your new favorite holiday treat! These classic pecan snowball cookies bring together everything I love about baking: comfort, nostalgia, and a little sprinkle of magic. Every time I make them, I feel that same warm joy I felt as a little girl in Paris, sneaking tastes of cookie dough when I thought no one was watching. Now, I get to share that joy with you and I hope your kitchen fills with love, laughter, and powdered sugar just like mine does.
Bake a batch, share with someone you adore, and don’t forget to snag a few for yourself. You deserve every sweet, snowy bite. ❄️💕