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These Snowball Christmas Cookies, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, are buttery, tender, nutty cookies rolled generously in powdered sugar. They practically melt in your mouth and look like little snowballs, making them perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, homemade gifts, and cookie exchanges.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 24
Yield: About 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven-Baked
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Snowball Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
For Rolling
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
Directions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Add the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl.
Beat with an electric mixer for approximately 2–3 minutes, until creamy and smooth.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
2. Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
Mix on low speed just until a soft dough forms.
3. Add the Pecans
Fold the finely chopped pecans into the cookie dough.
Make sure the nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cookie dough for approximately 30 minutes.
This makes the dough easier to roll and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
5. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Shape the Snowballs
Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie.
Roll the dough between your palms to form small balls.
Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet approximately 1–2 inches apart.
These cookies don't spread very much while baking.
7. Bake
Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.
The cookies should be set and very lightly golden around the bottoms.
Avoid overbaking—you want them tender and buttery inside.
❄️ First Powdered Sugar Coating
Place the remaining 1½ cups powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
Allow the baked cookies to cool for approximately 5 minutes.
While they're still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar until completely coated.
Place them on a cooling rack.
❄️ Second Powdered Sugar Coating
Once the cookies have cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar one more time.
This second coating is the secret to getting that beautiful snowy-white Christmas cookie appearance.
Pile them onto a holiday platter and sprinkle a little additional powdered sugar over the top if desired.
🎄 Tips for the Best Snowball Cookies
Use softened butter: It should be soft enough to cream but not melted.
Finely chop the nuts: Smaller pieces distribute better throughout the dough and make the cookies easier to shape.
Don't overmix: Once the flour is incorporated, stop mixing.
Don't skip chilling: Chilling helps the cookies maintain their round snowball shape.
Roll them twice: The first coating sticks to the warm cookie, while the second creates the thick snowy finish.
Don't overbake: Snowball cookies should remain relatively pale rather than becoming deeply browned.
Easy Variations
Walnut Snowball Cookies
Replace the pecans with finely chopped walnuts.
Almond Snowball Cookies
Use finely chopped almonds and replace half of the vanilla extract with almond extract.
Chocolate Chip Snowballs
Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough.
Nut-Free Snowball Cookies
Leave out the nuts and add an additional ¼ cup flour if needed to keep the dough easy to shape.
Christmas Snowball Cookies
Add festive red and green sprinkles to the dough before shaping for an extra Christmas touch.
🎁 Perfect for Christmas Cookie Boxes
Snowball cookies are excellent for holiday gifting because they're sturdy, easy to make, and beautiful on a Christmas cookie tray.
Pair them with:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Gingerbread cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Peanut butter blossoms
- Shortbread cookies
- Christmas fudge
- Thumbprint cookies
Place them in a decorative Christmas tin with parchment paper for an easy homemade holiday gift.
Storage
Store cooled snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 5–7 days.
Place parchment paper between layers to protect the powdered sugar coating.
Freezing
Snowball cookies freeze well.
Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
For the prettiest appearance, add another light coating of powdered sugar after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are snowball cookies the same as Russian Tea Cakes?
The names Snowball Cookies and Russian Tea Cakes commonly refer to very similar buttery, nut-filled cookies coated in powdered sugar. You'll also see closely related cookies called Mexican Wedding Cookies.
Why are my snowball cookies falling apart?
Snowball cookies are naturally delicate, especially while warm. Let them cool for about five minutes before carefully rolling them in powdered sugar.
Why did my snowball cookies flatten?
The butter may have been too warm or the dough may not have been chilled long enough. Refrigerating the dough before baking helps the cookies hold their round shape.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Prepare the dough, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
Can I make snowball cookies without nuts?
Yes. You can leave out the nuts. Because this changes the dough slightly, you may need a little additional flour to achieve a soft dough that holds its shape.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per cookie:
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 25mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on ingredients, cookie size, and the amount of powdered sugar used.
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