Name: Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups all purpose flour; ½ tsp salt; 2 cups pecans, minced; Powdered sugar for dusting

If you’re craving a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s both rich and nutty, you simply have to try this Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe. These delicate little cookies are the perfect combination of buttery softness and crisp pecan crunch, all dusted with a snowy blanket of powdered sugar that makes every bite feel like a sweet celebration.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Incredibly Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a pantry full of fancy items to create these cookies, just a few staples you probably already have.
Perfect Holiday Treat: Their beautiful snowball shape and powdered sugar coating make them an instant festive favorite.
Texture with a Delightful Crunch: The pecans add an irresistible nutty crunch that pairs so well with the soft, buttery dough.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These cookies keep well, making them ideal to bake in advance for parties or gift-giving.

The image shows round cookie balls on a cooling rack covered with parchment paper, dusted lightly with white powdered sugar. The cookie in the front is cut to show its inside, revealing a pale dough mixed with chopped nuts, which have a rich brown color. Behind the front cookie, there are three whole cookie balls in soft focus, and further back, a stack of white plates is visible. To the right, part of a clear glass bowl filled with more nuts is seen, with a few nuts scattered on the white marbled surface nearby. The background is softly blurred with warm wood tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, festive snowball cookie recipe, easy pecan cookies, melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookies, nutty buttery cookie recipe

Ingredients & Substitutions

What’s amazing about this Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each one plays a crucial role. From the creamy butter that makes the cookies tender to the pecans that give them a wonderful crunch, every element builds layers of flavor and texture.

Flat lay of softened unsalted butter cut into smooth cubes, a small pile of granulated sugar sparkling softly, whole and chopped pecans scattered with rich brown and golden hues, a neat mound of all-purpose flour with a delicate powdery texture, a vanilla bean pod with glossy seeds visible inside, and a fine dusting of powdered sugar gently sprinkled around, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, festive snowball cookie recipe, easy pecan cookies, melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookies, nutty buttery cookie recipe

Unsalted Butter: Using softened, unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness perfectly; make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
Granulated Sugar: Unlike many snowball cookies that use powdered sugar in the dough, this recipe keeps it classic with granulated sugar to add delicate sweetness and structure.
Vanilla Extract: Just a hint brightens up the cookies and enhances the buttery flavor perfectly.

All-Purpose Flour: The base of any excellent cookie, it helps create the crumbly yet cohesive texture we love.
Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and brings out the rich butter and pecan flavors.
Pecans: Minced pecans add that signature nutty crunch; feel free to chop your own for freshness.

Powdered Sugar: Used as a finishing touch for that iconic snowy look and a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F—this gentle heat ensures the cookies bake slowly, keeping their tender texture. Then, grab your electric hand mixer and whip together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and downright dreamy. This is the foundation of our buttery goodness.

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients

Mix in the vanilla extract, letting its sweet aroma fill your kitchen, and then sift together the flour and salt before adding them to your butter-sugar blend. Sifting ensures there are no lumps and the salt is evenly distributed — key for that perfectly balanced bite.

Step 3: Incorporate the Pecans

Using a wooden spoon, gently fold in the minced pecans. The dough will feel crumbly, almost like sand, but don’t worry — it should still come together nicely when shaped. These pecans bring the signature crunch and a toasty flavor that’s simply irresistible.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Roll the dough into one-inch balls; remember, they don’t spread during baking, so size them how you want them to look in the end. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for exactly 25 minutes. Resist the urge to open the oven too often — your patience will pay off with perfect cookies!

Step 5: Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar

Once your cookies come out golden and have cooled completely, generously dust them with powdered sugar. This final snowy coating adds that charming, classic look and a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness that can’t be beat.

How to Serve Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

A round white bowl lined with light brown parchment paper holds about twenty small, round cookies dusted lightly with white powdered sugar. The cookies have a pale beige color with small brown bits visible inside. Around the bowl, on a white marbled surface, there are scattered whole brown pecans and a clear small glass bowl filled with more pecans. Next to the bowl, there are two small clear glass bottles filled with white milk, and in the upper right corner, a stack of white textured plates. A soft beige cloth napkin sits at the bottom right edge of the image. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies, festive snowball cookie recipe, easy pecan cookies, melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookies, nutty buttery cookie recipe

Garnishes

These cookies shine on their own, but if you want to get creative, try a light drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of finely chopped pecans on top before the powdered sugar. It adds a bit of flair that’s sure to impress guests without overshadowing the classic flavors.

Side Dishes

Pair these snowball cookies with a warm cup of spiced chai, hot cocoa, or even a glass of cold milk to amplify the cozy experience. For an elegant twist, serve alongside a creamy coffee mousse or warm apple cider for a delightful seasonal pairing.

Creative Ways to Present

Think beyond a cookie plate by stacking them in a vintage tin wrapped with a festive ribbon as a gift. Or arrange them on a tiered stand for your dessert buffet. For parties, place them individually in small clear bags tied with twine — everyone will appreciate the charming presentation as much as the delicious taste!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe stay fresh and flavorful when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping them sealed prevents the cookies from drying out and preserves that buttery softness with a delightful nutty crunch.

Freezing

If you want to stock up, you can freeze these cookies for up to three months. Arrange them in layers separated by parchment paper inside an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving — just as fresh and delicious as day one!

Reheating

Reheat frozen or day-old cookies in a warm oven at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes to refresh their texture. This gentle warming softens the butter and brings back that irresistible freshly-baked feel without melting the powdered sugar coating.

FAQs

Can I substitute walnuts for pecans in this recipe?

Absolutely! Walnuts have a similar texture and flavor profile and make a great substitute if pecans aren’t available or if you prefer their earthier taste.
Why do these cookies stay round instead of spreading?

Because the dough is crumbly and has low moisture, it holds its shape rather than spreading out during baking, giving you perfectly round snowball cookies.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but since salted butter adds extra salt, it’s best to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to keep the flavor balanced.

Is there an alternative to powdered sugar for dusting?

Powdered sugar is ideal for its fine texture and sweetness, but if you’re in a pinch, a light dusting of finely ground granulated sugar works, though it won’t have that classic snowy look or melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Final Thoughts

This Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe is one of those treasured classics that never fails to bring comfort and joy. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a little self-care treat. So gather your ingredients, bake a batch, and wrap yourself in the cozy warmth these cookies deliver — I promise, you’ll keep coming back for more!

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 73 reviews

Author: Olivia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies are tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats featuring a buttery dough studded with crunchy pecans and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. These traditional cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for holiday baking or any cozy occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
½ tsp salt
2 cups pecans, minced

Topping

Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric hand mixer, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and ¼ cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air and gives the cookies their tender texture.

Add Vanilla: Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until evenly combined to infuse the dough with a warm, sweet aroma.
Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon salt, then gradually stir them into the butter mixture, ensuring no lumps remain and the dough is well combined.
Incorporate Pecans: Use a wooden spoon to gently fold in 2 cups of minced pecans. The dough will become crumbly, resembling sand, but should be able to hold together when formed into balls.

Form Cookies: Shape the dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Since these cookies do not spread during baking, their final size will remain as formed. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced to allow even baking.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until they are set but not browned.
Cool and Dust: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack. Once cool, generously dust them with powdered sugar before serving for a classic snowball appearance.

Notes

Recipe Copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational or personal use only.
Butter: Use unsalted butter softened to room temperature (68-72°F) for optimal texture and flavor control.
Pecans: Preference may vary; the original grandmother’s recipe calls for 4 cups pecans allowing rolling the cookies in nuts. Use pre-minced or chopped pecans as preferred.

Granulated Sugar: This recipe uses granulated sugar in the dough rather than confectioners’ sugar for a traditional texture.
Powdered Sugar: Only for topping the baked and cooled cookies to maintain the powdery finish.
Measure flour accurately using the scoop and level method to ensure correct dough consistency.

Allow cookies to cool fully before dusting with powdered sugar to prevent melting.
Use a 1 Tbsp cookie scoop (#60) for consistent cookie size and baking.