Snowball Cookies: The Perfect Holiday Treat that’s Easy to Whip Up!

If you’re looking for a unique yet super-easy treat to whip up quickly during the holiday season, you’ll have to try these Snowball Cookies!

Also known as Russian Tea Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, and Polvorones, they’re delicious and only take a few ingredients!

They’re buttery and crumbly, and adding pecans gives them a nutty, crunchy, divine texture. They’re perfect with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Better yet – they look like they take much more work than they do. So, if you want to impress a crowd, these cookies will help you do that!

The cookies are shaped into small balls and rolled in powdered sugar, giving them their signature snowy appearance. This makes them the perfect winter treat.

I love making them around Christmas time, especially if I have company. I impressed my mother-in-law with them one year, and I’ve been making them ever since.

Recipe and Ingredients

Mexican wedding cookies are simple yet delightful treats. These buttery, nutty confections require just a handful of ingredients and basic baking skills to create.

Traditional Ingredients

You’ll need unsalted butter, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, and finely chopped nuts – typically pecans or walnuts. Vanilla extract adds a subtle flavor. Salt adds to the flavor and is a must.

Mix softened butter with sugar until creamy. Add vanilla extract, then gradually incorporate flour and nuts.

Roll the dough into small balls and bake until lightly golden.

Once cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar for their signature snowy appearance. A second coating ensures a generous layer of sweetness.

Reasons to Love Snowball Cookies

• Simple, Classic ingredients (pantry staples like flour, butter, powdered sugar and nuts)
• Buttery, Melt-in-Your Mouth Texture (a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth with each bite)
• Customizable (customize the nuts to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Add cinnamon, cardamom, or cocoa powder)
• Perfect for Special Occasions (the snowball-like appearance makes them a fun addition to the many for holidays and parties)
• Fun to Make (kids would have fun doing them into balls and powdered sugar!)

Baking Techniques

This is such a simple recipe and process, but a few things can help make it even easier and result in better cookies!

Try the following tips:

Dough Preparation

-Use room-temperature butter. Start by creaming room-temperature butter until it’s light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, resulting in a tender cookie.

-Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition to the bowl.

-Sift the flour before adding it to the mixture. This helps remove lumps and aerates the flour, leading to a smoother dough!

-Fold in the finely chopped nuts, typically pecans or walnuts, for that classic crunch.

-Chill the dough for at least an hour before shaping. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and enhances their melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Baking Tips

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup!

Roll the chilled dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.

In this instance, a smaller cookie is better than a larger cookie. Snowball Cookies seem tastier when they’re bite-sized, for some reason!

When you place them on the prepared baking sheets, leave space between each cookie. The dough won’t spread, but it still helps to give each cookie room to bake; you don’t want them touching each other.

Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges and bottoms are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake; these cookies should remain pale, not brown.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

While still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar. Once completely cooled, dust them again for that signature snowy appearance.

Rolling them in sugar twice will achieve that ideal, powdery look they’re known for; one roll is not enough!

Mexican Wedding Cookie Recipe

Serving and Presentation

There are so many ways to present this cookie.

You can keep it simple and place them on a serving tray, wooden board, or Christmas-themed charcuterie board.

You can place them in a glass-covered bread or cake stand.

Or, try adding them together with other sweet treats, like I did with this CHristmas-tree board!

Dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar just before serving. This final coating gives them their signature snowy appearance and enhances their sweet flavor.

For a festive look, consider using colored sugar or edible glitter.

Pair these treats with hot beverages like coffee, tea, or Mexican hot chocolate. The rich, buttery cookies complement the warmth of these drinks perfectly.

You can also serve them alongside fresh fruit for a balanced dessert offering.

To keep the cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll maintain their texture and flavor for up to a week.

If you’re gifting these cookies, package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons or in decorative tins.

For a unique presentation, create a DIY cookie bar.

Set out bowls of different toppings like chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or flavored sugars. Let your guests customize their cookies by rolling them in their preferred coating.

Storage and Preservation

Mexican wedding cookies keep well when stored properly. To maintain their delicate texture and flavor, place them in an airtight container.

These cookies stay fresh for up to five days at room temperature.

For longer storage, Snowball cookies can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. To prevent sticking, place parchment paper between layers.

Freezing is an excellent option to preserve them for several months. Wrap the cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to develop fully.

To refresh stored cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This brings back their crisp exterior and soft interior.

Remember to handle Snowball cookies gently, as they can be pretty delicate. Using a spatula when transferring them helps prevent crumbling.