The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
When the holidays roll around, few cookies bring as much nostalgia and charm as Classic Christmas Snowball Cookies. These melt-in-your-mouth beauties—also known as Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, or Butterballs—are a staple in Christmas cookie tins and holiday dessert tables across generations.
Snowball cookies are known for their delicate, tender, buttery texture, their generous coating of powdered sugar, and that irresistible nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with every festive drink from cocoa to coffee to mulled cider. With their iconic snowy appearance, they look like miniature winter snowballs, making them a perfect addition to any holiday celebration.
They require only a handful of simple ingredients, come together in minutes, and bake into tender shortbread-style cookies that practically dissolve on your tongue. This recipe is ultra-classic—soft, buttery, lightly sweet, nutty, and incredibly easy.
Whether you’re planning holiday gifting, stocking cookie trays, or just craving a comforting snowy treat, these snowball cookies are your new go-to recipe!
Why You’ll Love These Snowball Cookies
1. Melt-in-your-mouth texture
Tender, soft, buttery, crumbly — the signature texture of perfect snowballs.
2. Just the right sweetness
Powdered sugar on the outside gives sweetness without being overwhelming.
3. Iconic holiday look
They look like miniature snowballs — perfect for Christmas displays.
4. Only a few ingredients
No eggs required! Just butter, flour, sugar, nuts, and vanilla.
5. Perfect for gifting
They pack and travel well and stay fresh for days.
Ingredients
For the Snowball Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Beat softened butter and powdered sugar together until creamy. Mix in vanilla.
2. Add Dry Ingredients
Add flour and salt; mix until combined.
Fold in chopped nuts.
3. Chill the Dough (Important!)
Cover bowl and chill 30–45 minutes for easier rolling.
4. Shape and Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
Bake 10–12 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden.
5. Roll in Powdered Sugar—Twice
Let cookies cool 2 minutes.
Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
Cool completely and roll again for a snowy finish.
6. Serve & Store
Enjoy fresh or store in airtight containers for days.
Expert Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies
Double-roll in powdered sugar
The first coating sticks to the warm cookie; the second gives that classic snowy look.
Chill the dough
This prevents spreading and helps cookies keep their round shape.
Finely chop the nuts
This gives a more delicate texture and ensures even distribution.
Use quality butter
Since butter is a main flavor, good-quality butter makes a huge difference.
No overbaking
Edges should be pale with light golden bottoms — too long and they become dry.
Variations
Chocolate Chip Snowballs
Swap nuts for mini chocolate chips.
Almond Snowballs
Use finely chopped almonds and almond extract instead of vanilla.
Lemon Snowballs
Add lemon zest to the dough and lemon juice to the sugar coating.
Hot Cocoa Snowballs
Add mini marshmallow bits and a hint of cocoa powder.
Serving Suggestions
Serve snowball cookies:
- On holiday cookie trays
- With coffee, hot chocolate, or holiday tea
- With brunch spreads
- As edible gifts packaged in tins
- Alongside winter fruit and cheese boards
They are also wonderful frozen and enjoyed cold like frosty little treats.
Classic Christmas Snowball Cookies
Tender, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar — a nostalgic holiday classic.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream butter and powdered sugar; add vanilla.
- Mix in flour and salt, then fold in nuts.
- Chill dough 30–45 minutes.
- Roll into balls and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar, cool, and roll again.
Notes
Double coat cookies in powdered sugar for the classic snowy look.
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature:
Store 1–2 weeks in airtight containers.
Freezer:
Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months.
Freeze dough balls up to 2 months.
Reheating:
Not needed — they’re best at room temperature!
If sugar coating fades after a few days, dust lightly with more powdered sugar.
