Pecan Snowball Cookies Recipe (Russian Tea Cakes)

Active Time:

40 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Yield:

4 dozen cookies

Of all holiday cookies, few are as simple and as Southern as pecan snowball cookies. Also known as Russian tea cakes, these small spheres of buttery vanilla shortbread have crunchy pecan pieces dispersed throughout the crumbly cookie.

Our recipe is special because we take the time to toast the pecan pieces in the oven before making the dough. A step requiring no more than 10 minutes, toasting the pecans first forces the nuts to release their oils and take on a richer, nuttier flavor. Once they've cooled, the pecans are mixed into the shortbread, their oils perfuming and flavoring the dough.

Since the baked cookies are coated twice in powdered sugar, the cookie dough itself is not very sweet. The first coating happens minutes after the cookies come out of the oven. The warm exterior of the cookie causes the powdered sugar to stick, and as they cool, the powdered sugar adhering to the surface becomes very sticky. It's this sticky surface that makes the second coating of powdered sugar cling on to form a dry and powdery sweet casing for the rich and nutty cookies.

Learn how to make pecan snowball cookies, and share with your friends and neighbors (but only if you want to).

Pecan Snowball Cookies - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Where Do Pecan Snowball Cookies Come From?

The origin for pecan snowball cookies is unknown. Beloved in many parts of the world, these cookies may have traveled to the U.S. by way of immigrants from Eastern Europe or Mexico. Since the 20th century, they've become part of traditional American offerings for weddings and holidays, including Christmas and Easter.

Made with just a handful of ingredients, these simple cookies go by a variety of names—snowballs, Russian tea cakes, and Mexican wedding cookies among them. The types of nuts included can vary from pecans to walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds, but they're always coated in powdered sugar while warm for a sweet finish that adheres to the cookie.

Ingredients for Pecan Snowball Cookies

To make these cookies, you'll need:

Pecans: Finely chopped for nutty bits throughout the cookies.
Unsalted butter: For a buttery, tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies.
Vanilla extract & kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of the snowballs.
All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough.
Powdered sugar: For coating the cookies while warm.

ingredients for pecan snowball cookies — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Pecan Snowball Cookies

Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chopped pecans in a 9- x 13-inch metal baking dish and roast 6 to 8 minutes; set aside.
Step 2. Beat butter and sugar together until lightened. Beat in vanilla and salt. Add flour and cooled pecans, and mix on low until incorporated.
Step 3. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop and shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1/2-inch apart on baking sheets.
Step 4. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Step 5. Cool cookies slightly, then roll in powdered sugar. Cool and roll again before serving.

Variations for Pecan Snowball Cookies

This simple cookie can be customized in unlimited ways:

Switch out the nuts: Replace the pecans with finely chopped almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and more.
Add spice: Add a hint of nutmeg, cinnamon, or cardamom for an even more flavorful cookie.
Add zest: Orange or lemon zest are welcome for a citrusy note in these classic buttery cookies.
Get festive: Making these cookies for a holiday celebration? Fold holiday morsels or sprinkles into the dough for a festive touch.

How Long Do Pecan Snowball Cookies Last?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Freeze for up to three months for longer storage. Dust again before serving for the freshest presentation.

You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Freeze portioned cookies on a baking sheet until firm, then pack into freezer-safe zip-top bags. Thaw overnight or at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before baking as directed.

More Holiday Cookie Recipes You'll Love

If you're ready to start planning your holiday sweets, these recipes are a great place to start:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar, for coating

Directions

Prepare pecans:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chopped pecans in a 9-by-13-inch metal baking dish.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Toast pecans:

Roast in the oven until the pecans have a nutty aroma and are lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make cookie dough:

Beat butter and sugar together until lightened and creamy. Scrape down sides of the bowl and add vanilla extract and salt; beat to combine. Add flour and cooled toasted pecans, and mix on low until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Scoop cookies:

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop and shape dough into 1 inch balls, pressing the dough in your hands. (Note: the dough will be very crumbly, so you will be pressing the dough balls into spheres instead of rolling them between your palms.) Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on baking sheets.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Bake cookies:

Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Roll cookies in powdered sugar:

Allow cookies to cool until just cool enough to handle but still quite warm. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar, putting the cookie back on the baking sheet after it's coated in sugar.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Let cookies cool, and roll again:

Allow cookies to cool completely, and roll them again in powdered sugar before serving or storing in an airtight container.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my snowball cookies from crumbling?

This dough can be crumbly, especially if your butter is on the cooler side before mixing. To portion, pack into a scoop, then press together lightly to keep the cookies together. Don't worry about rolling perfect balls.
Can you freeze cookies rolled in confectioner's sugar?

Yes, these cookies can be frozen once coated with confectioner's sugar. Note that they may benefit from an additional dusting before serving for the best presentation.
Why do snowball cookies get rolled in powdered sugar twice?

The first roll adheres and melts into the warm cookies, leaving them perfectly sticky for the second dusting, which coats the cookies fully.