Snowball cookies are a wonderful classic Christmas cookie that will take you back to your childhood! These holiday cookies are sometimes called Russian teacakes or Mexican wedding cookies. No matter what you call them, they are a wonderful holiday treat!

Snowball Cookies

When I think back to my childhood Christmas memories (during the 80’s—saying that makes me feel old!), I always envision a big, ornate plate of holiday treats. That plate always included a pile of these delicious snowball Christmas cookies!

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday!

Snowballs have always been a family favorite and I’m really happy to be sharing my recipe for classic pecan snowball cookies with you just in time for the Christmas season.

You may have heard them called Russian teacakes or Mexican wedding cookies, but for my family, they were always just snowballs.

These classic snowball Christmas cookies are made up of everything delicious about any good cookie—plenty of butter, powdered sugar and vanilla.

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday!

I’m also a huge fan of the chopped pecans in this snowball Christmas cookies recipe because it gives the snowballs a little crunch to go along with that delicious, buttery flavor.

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday!

I love making these classic snowballs and putting together the kind of holiday treat cakes that I remember from my childhood.

They are also great to make and add to small, decorative holiday tins to give away to friends, family or coworkers.

How to Make Snowball Cookies

Making holiday snowball cookies is easy. To start, you’ll need the following ingredients.

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar for coating

Be sure to check out my complete snowball cookies recipe below, and don’t forget to leave a comment letting me know how you make your snowballs unique!

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday!

Snowballs are truly one of my favorite Christmas cookies. They are right up there with my other favorite holiday cookie, these raspberry almond shortbread cookies.

If you’re looking for another classic Christmas cookie that would fit in nicely on that Christmas cookie platter, try my chocolate crinkle cookies recipe and my crowd-pleasing gooey butter Christmas Cookies.

If you haven’t checked that recipe out yet, what are you waiting for?

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday!

I hope you enjoy these yummy snowball cookies this holiday season and beyond! :)

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday! #Christmas #ChristmasCookies

Snowball Christmas Cookies

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

These delicious snowball cookies are a Christmas classic that you don't want to miss!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or use ungreased.
  2. Using an electric mixer cream together the butter and the  ½ cup confectioners sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour and the salt and beat until well combined. Stir in the nuts.
  3. Form dough into 1 inch balls ( about 1 tablespoon)  and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until edges just start to brown.
  4. While the cookies are still hot, roll them in the confectioners’ sugar. Cool and roll a second time or sift the remaining sugar over the tops using a strainer. Cool completely before storing.

Snowball Christmas Cookies - The best buttery, pecan shortbread cookie (sometimes called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies). You're going to adore these classic snowball Christmas cookies this holiday!