Nothing says the holidays like a batch of Snowball Cookies—tender, buttery bites filled with finely chopped nuts and coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. These classic, old-fashioned cookies are a staple during Christmas, resembling little edible snowballs that melt in your mouth with every bite.
Whether you know them as Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, or simply Snowballs, one thing is certain: these delightful cookies are a holiday must-have. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make and require only a handful of ingredients!
Why You’ll Love These Snowball Cookies
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Thanks to butter, cornstarch, and powdered sugar, they’re wonderfully soft and tender.
- Easy, No-Fuss Recipe: Just mix, chill, bake, and roll in sugar!
- Eggless Cookie Recipe: Perfect for those avoiding eggs without compromising flavor.
- Not Too Sweet: Most of the sweetness comes from the powdered sugar coating.
- Customizable: Add mini chocolate chips, swap nuts, or even use different flavor extracts.
- Perfect for Holiday Gifting: These cookies store well and look beautiful in festive cookie tins.
Essential Ingredients & Why They Matter
These cookies use just a few simple ingredients, so using high-quality products makes a big difference.
- Butter: The key to a rich, tender cookie. For best results, use European-style butter for a more flavorful, bakery-style cookie.
- Powdered Sugar: Both in the dough and as the final coating, powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) creates a delicate sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies tender and gives them their classic round shape.
- Nuts: Pecans or walnuts are traditional, but you can also use almonds or hazelnuts. Be sure to finely chop them so they blend well into the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and adds warmth.
- Flour & Salt: The structure-building components that balance the sweetness.
How to Make Snowball Cookies
1. Prepare the Dough
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the butter and powdered sugar together on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Add flavoring: Mix in the vanilla extract and salt until combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour and cornstarch in a separate bowl, then gradually mix it into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the nuts: Gently stir in the finely chopped nuts using a spatula.
2. Chill the Dough
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and ensures the best texture.
3. Shape & Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop and roll: Measure 1-tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale.
- Cool completely before rolling in powdered sugar (this prevents melting and clumping).
4. Coat in Powdered Sugar
- Roll each completely cooled cookie in powdered sugar. For extra coverage, roll them twice!
Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies
- Chill the dough: This ensures round cookies and prevents spreading.
- Finely chop nuts: Large nut pieces can cause cookies to crumble.
- Double-coat with sugar: Roll once after cooling and again before serving for a thick, snowy coating.
- Don’t overbake: The cookies should stay pale on top—overbaking makes them dry and crumbly.
- Use a food processor: If chopping nuts by hand is tricky, pulse them in a food processor for an even texture.
- Let them cool completely before rolling in sugar: If the cookies are too warm, the sugar will melt instead of forming a snowy layer.
Snowball Cookie Variations
- Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips instead of nuts for a nut-free version.
- Almond Snowball Cookies: Swap walnuts/pecans for finely ground almonds and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.
- Lemon Snowball Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest and swap vanilla for lemon extract.
- Cinnamon Pecan Snowballs: Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for a warm, spiced twist.
- Coconut Snowball Cookies: Replace half of the nuts with shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Espresso Snowball Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder to the dough for a subtle coffee kick.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
- Freeze baked cookies (without sugar coating) for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then roll in powdered sugar before serving.
- Gift them in holiday tins: These cookies make wonderful holiday gifts. Arrange them in decorative tins lined with parchment paper for a beautiful presentation.
More Holiday Cookie Favorites
Looking for more festive treats? Try these delicious recipes:
- Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies – A soft, chewy twist on classic red velvet.
- Classic Gingerbread Cookies – Perfectly spiced and great for decorating.
- Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles – Cinnamon-sugar coated goodness.
- Peppermint Bark Cookies – Chocolatey, minty, and perfect for the season.
- Thumbprint Cookies with Jam – Buttery cookies filled with sweet jam for a festive touch.
Snowball cookies are a must-have for holiday baking, gifting, and snacking. Whether you make them the classic way or try a fun variation, they’re sure to be a hit. Enjoy these buttery, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth cookies all season long! ❄️🍪