Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 12 mins, Chill Time: 30 mins, Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 24 cookies, Difficulty: Easy, Category: Holiday Cookies / Dessert, Cuisine: American
Snowball Cookies — also called Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies — are buttery, nutty, and absolutely magical. Coated in powdered sugar and so soft they practically melt on your tongue, these cookies are a must-have during the holidays. But here’s the secret: they’re so easy to make, you’ll want them year-round.
These Melt-In-Your-Mouth Snowball Cookies have been a tradition in my family for generations. We roll them up in little snowy mountains of sweetness, stack them in tins, and gift them to neighbors. Whether you’re baking for Christmas, a winter party, or just a cozy weekend at home, these cookies never go out of style — or out of your mouth for long!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
Tips Before You Start
- Soften your butter: Leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes. It should be soft but not melty.
- Use finely chopped nuts: Big chunks make the dough harder to roll and the cookies can fall apart. A quick pulse in a food processor works best.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies are pale even when done. If they brown too much, they can dry out.
- Double-roll the sugar: Roll once while warm, then again when cooled for that dreamy snowy finish.
