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Delicious crumbly buttery shortbread loaded with chopped pecans and rolled in powder sugar create the best traditional Snowball Cookie.

Snowball Cookies, also known as Mexican Wedding Cakes, were a favorite of my Grandma Helen’s, and she made them every Christmas as far back as I can remember. I loved biting into those snowy balls of deliciousness… and licking all the powder sugar off my fingers! 

A big plus was that I’m a huge fan of shortbread cookies! Maybe it’s the English blood in my veins…or maybe it’s ALL that butter! (I’d lean towards the butter…at least my bathroom scale does!)

I decided to whip up a batch for my Holiday Cookie Tray this year with my 3-year-old Grand daughter. She was a huge fan of the dough…and the powder sugar! We had so much fun rolling “Snowballs” together. This is a great “Baking cookies with Grandma” recipe!

How To Tips and Recipe for Snowball Cookies…

Preheat oven to 350°. 

In the bowl of your mixer cream together 1 cup of soften butter and 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar (powder sugar)…or as we like to call “sweet snow”! Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Mix until well combined…(I wish I could get paid every time I use this sentence in a post…well that and the word delicious! Lol)

I sure love my “Anniversary Edition” Kitchen Aid! It’s such a beautiful machine. My favorite of all time! I’m not a spokeswoman for Kitchen Aid… I just LOVE their mixers!

I know Kitchen Aid Mixers are pricey…but I also know they make an amazing machine and there are a lot of great deals on them right now.

Okay…back to Snowball Cookies!

Mix in 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour…and 1/4 teaspoon salt. 

Also… add 1 cup finely chopped pecans.

That’s it for the cookie dough! Amazing right?!! I’m telling you…simple delicious cookies are a must at this busy time of year!

Time to practice those snowball making skills! Roll 1 Tablespoon or so of dough into balls and place on a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet.

TIP: Since these cookies do not “raise” because they don’t contain a leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder, you can squeeze more than a dozen onto a baking sheet. (I think I just realized I must be full of leavening agents…LOTS of them!) 

Bake in preheated oven until bottoms are slightly golden, about 15 minutes.

I caution that you don’t allow these cookies to get too brown…unless you want mini shot-puts for your cookie tray and have a really good dental plan… and a bizarre hazard homeowners policy!

Place 1/2 cup of powder sugar in a shallow dish.

While the cookies are still hot, roll them in confectioners’ sugar. Think of it as the Holiday version of the game “Hot Potato”! (You thought a glue gun could burn your fingertips…HA!) 

TIP: Please Don’t use your fingers! Use a fork to roll them around in the powdery “snow”! 

Place on cooling rack to cool completely.

Once they have cooled, roll them in confectioners’ sugar once more. 

I know this step seems silly…but let me explain what happens the first time you roll them while they are “hot” and why you need to roll them again.

The powder sugar from the “first roll” melts and creates a sugary “glue” that will allow the powder sugar to stick and stay “snowy” with the second rolling once they have cooled.

That second roll is key and creates the perfect Snowball! One worthy of our friend “Olaf”! (You just heard the theme song to “Frozen” go zipping through your mind didn’t you?! You’re Welcome!…now Moana is chasing after “Do Ya Wanna Build A Snowman”! Lol It’s a Disney Christmas!) 

These Snowball Cookies were just as good as I remember them… Grandma would be proud! (She’d also want one…she was a true “nut” lover in every sense of the word!)

Whatever you call them… Snowball Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Swedish Tea Cakes, Italian Butter Nut, Southern Pecan Butter Ball, Russian Tea Cakes, Snowdrops, or Viennese Sugar Ball Cookies… You won’t mind getting hit with one of these right? As long as it lands in your mouth! 

I can understand why so many countries have variations of this wonderful traditional Christmas Cookie! What’s not to love?!!!

I hope my version of the “Classic Snowball Cookie” is as good as you remember from your childhood. 

Family Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

• Raspberry Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies
• Stamped Christmas Shortbread Cookies
• Easy Salted Peanut Chews
• Easy Chocolate Pecan Bars
• Christmas Sprinkle Christmas Cookies
• Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies
• Candied Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies from Soulfully Made

I also hope everyone has the Merriest Christmas this year! As we get older it truly becomes about the lasting gifts of family, food, and the fun memories created with those we love! 

Thanks so much for stopping by my Nest. The free printable recipe card is below with some of my favorite suggested products for this Season of gift giving. 

Happy Nesting!

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