Easy Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe
Pecan Snowballs are the perfect holiday treat and found on all cookie trays! The crunch of the pecans paired with the sweetness of the snowball cookies makes a perfect bite, every single time. These holiday cookies are a hit and perfect for a cookie exchange with this Easy Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe.
Make sure to check out my Cranberry Orange Bread with Pecans for another simple sweet treat full of flavor and pecans.
Easy Pecan Snowballs
Snowball cookies are a holiday treat. They’re one of those cookies that create the perfect holiday baking tradition because they’re fun and a unique dessert to do.
Many people do Christmas cookies during this time of year, but this recipe for snowball cookies is one of the best.
This year, try something different for your holiday baking needs and whip up a batch of this pecan balls recipe. I promise you that you’re not going to be able to stop eating them once you get started! (and this is why I save them for one time a year!)
Ingredients needed to make this Easy Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe
- 2 sticks butter, room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar + 1 cup more for dusting
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
How To Make Snowball Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl use a mixer to beat butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth.
Add in flour, vanilla, and salt – beat until well combined.
Fold in pecans.
Use your hands or a scoop to shape small balls, approximately 1″, and place them on lined baking sheet about 1″ apart.
Bake 11 minutes.
Cool about 4 – 5 minutes then roll individually in powdered sugar to coat.
Set on rack to cool and dry.
Cool completely, about 15 minutes, and roll in powdered sugar for a second time for an extra layer of sweetness.
A few hints for best recipe results:
Use only pure butter, not margarine
Use only pure vanilla, you will notice a huge difference in taste in you use artificial flavors
Invest in good baking equipment like cookie scoops, baking sheets, and racks. You will use them for years.
Gift Idea:
Give a batch of these cookies along with a piece of baking equipment so they can make them in the future.
A bottle of pure vanilla is always a great gift too.
Wrap in a pretty dish towel.
They will always think of you when they use any of these pieces or make the recipe.
How do you store pecan nut snowballs?
Once you make a batch of these simple snowball cookies, you’re going to want to store them in an airtight container for later.
The good news is that you can leave them at room temperature as long as you seal them tight and keep them out of the air.
Since they don’t have to be kept cold, they make great gifts, too!
Can these be frozen?
Yes – that’s one of the great things about this cookie, it will taste just as fresh after freezing. For maximum freshness, I would freeze no longer than 2 months.
Steps to freezing and thawing:
- After completely cooled and coated one time, place in Ziploc bag, making a single layer.
- Try to avoid them touching another cookie.
- Press out all the air you can and place in freezer.
- To thaw – place bag in refrigerator overnight.
- Bring to room temperature the next day.
- Roll again in powdered sugar for a fresh taste.
This just might be why these cookies are so popular. (besides the fact that they’re delicious) The texture of pecan ball cookies is unlike any other.
They have the sweetness factor that takes the flavor over the top, but the texture is very similar to shortbread cookies. They literally crumble in your mouth and provide a delicious crunchy bite.
The only true way to eat a snowball cookie properly is to pop the whole thing in your mouth! If you don’t, you’ll get some crumbs and powdered sugar on your for sure – and you don’t want to waste a morsel of this cookie recipe!
Now that you know how simple and easy it can be to make these cookies, it’s your turn to get started! Have fun baking this holiday season with this simple pecan shortbread cookie recipe!
More Cookie Recipes
Easy Pecan Snowball Cookies
Easy Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar + 1 cup more for dusting
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl use a mixer to beat butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth.
Add in flour, vanilla, and salt - beat until well combined.
Fold in pecans.
Use your hands or a scoop to shape small balls, approximately 1", and place them on lined baking sheet about 1" apart.
Bake 11 minutes.
Cool about 4 - 5 minutes then roll individually in powdered sugar to coat.
Set on rack to cool and dry.
Cool completely, about 15 minutes, and roll in powdered sugar for a second time for an extra layer of sweetness.
Notes
A few hints for best recipe results:
Use only pure butter, not margarine
Use only pure vanilla, you will notice a huge difference in taste in you use artificial flavors
Invest in good baking equipment like cookie scoops, baking sheets, and racks. You will use them for years.
Gift Idea:
Give a batch of these cookies along with a piece of baking equipment so they can make them in the future. Â
A bottle of pure vanilla is always a great gift too.
Wrap in a pretty dish towel. Â
They will always think of you when they use any of these pieces or make the recipe.
Can these be frozen?
Yes - that's one of the great things about this cookie, it will taste just as fresh after freezing. For maximum freshness, I would freeze no longer than 2 months. Â
Steps to freezing and thawing:
- After completely cooled and coated one time, place in Ziploc bag, making a single layer.
- Try to avoid them touching another cookie. Â
- Press out all the air you can and place in freezer.
- To thaw - place bag in refrigerator overnight.
- Bring to room temperature the next day.
- Roll again in powdered sugar for a fresh taste.
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Happy Travels,
Rosemary
