Easy Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

These classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread balls coated generously in powdered sugar. They’re quick and easy to make, absolutely delicious, and perfect for freezing ahead for the holidays or any special occasion.

Known by many names—Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, Butter Balls, and Mexican Wedding Cookies—these delicate treats have won hearts all over the world. Whatever you call them, one thing’s for sure: they’re timeless, irresistible, and a must-have on any cookie platter.

Easy Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies

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These classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread balls coated generously in powdered sugar. They’re quick and easy to make, absolutely delicious, and perfect for freezing ahead for the holidays or any special occasion.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 11 minutes

Total Time 26 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Step-By-Step Instructions

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Notes

• Use real honest-to-goodness butter so they taste yummy. I personally use Land O Lakes butter for all my cookies.
• Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
• Chop the pecans fairly fine. Remember you can use different nuts.
• This a thick dough so roll the cookies with your hands because the warmth of your hands will help shape the cookies.
• Preheat the oven and load the baking sheet in the middle of the oven.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• If you have time do a test run with one or two cookies.  It really helps to establish baking time.
• Do not over-bake the cookies. These are a type of shortbread cookies with a crumbly melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• When measuring your flour spoon the flour into the measuring cups and level off with a table knife.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.