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Pecan Snowballs

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Buttery cookies filled with chopped pecans and coated in powdered sugar make Pecan Snowballs everyone’s favorite cookie! This classic holiday recipe is also known as Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies making them the perfect treat any time of year!

Pecan Snowballs stacked on top of each other in a holiday serving bowl surrounded by tartan plaid.

I finally started making my Christmas Cookies yesterday, and my first batch is Pecan Snowballs. Okay they are actually called Russian Teacakes, but they look like snowballs.

This is one of my all time favorite holiday cookies, it’s not Christmas without them. I grew up using this exact recipe and I would not change a thing!

Pecan Snowballs in mini paper cups lined up in a square gift tin with parchment paper inside.

Looking for some variety while staying true to the original? You definitely need to try these Grinch Snowball Cookies with pistachios and dried cranberries, and Mexican Wedding Cookies with ground cinnamon and walnuts.

How to make Pecan Snowballs aka Russian Tea Cakes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and vanilla.

Butter, sugar, and vanilla beaten together in a large bowl.

Add flour and salt, stir to combine.

Dry ingredients mixed into the butter and sugar mixture.

Mix in chopped pecans until dough holds together.

Chopped pecans on top of the cookie dough mixture in a large bowl.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased or parchment lined baking sheets.

Bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until set but not brown.

Fifteen baked cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Remove from pan and roll in powdered sugar.

One baked cookie in a bowl of powdered sugar.

Let cool completely.

Twenty one cookies rolled in powdered sugar on a wire cooling rack.

Roll cookies in powdered sugar one more time to thoroughly coat.

A bowl filled with Pecan Snowballs sitting on a red plaid napkin with two cookies in paper wrappers in the background.
Can you freeze pecan snowball cookies?

Place cooled cookies single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze, then place in a freezer bag in a single layer or container stacked with parchment paper between each layer. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do you store Russian teacakes?

Store cookies in an airtight container after they are COMPLETELY cooled or they will get mushy. Cookies are best within 3 days, but will last for up to 5 days assuming you can keep your hands off of them.

Tools used to create this recipe

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Enjoy!!

Everyone's favorite holiday cookie - Pecan Snowballs aka Russian Teacakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes. Whatever you call them, they are delicious!! cookingwithcurls.com

Pecan Snowballs

Buttery cookies with chopped pecans rolled in powdered sugar make Pecan Snowballs everyone’s favorite cookie!
5 from 4 votes
Print Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, powdered sugar, recipe, pecans
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 40 Cookies
Calories: 85kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¾ cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and vanilla.
  • Add flour and salt, stir to combine.
  • Mix in chopped pecans until dough holds together.
  • Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until set but not brown.
  • Remove from pan and roll in powdered sugar. Let cool completely.
  • Roll cookies in powdered sugar one more time to thoroughly coat.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 16mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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3 Comments

  1. Russian Teacakes are one of my favorite cookies. My daughter makes them every year for the holidays. Your post is making me miss the winter even more…I love watching the snow fall. That first image of your backyard looks like a painting.

    Found you through Foodie Friday. Blessings, Catherine

  2. I always make these cookies during the holidays. Everyone loves them and they are great for cookie swaps.

    Thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday,
    Joanne

  3. My husband loves these coolies. He like the Keebler brand and they are nearly impossible to find, so I’m hoping these will do the trick. Also, I love the print option, main picture, all pictures, and just text. I’m a visual learner and inspired by pictures, so thank you for figuring that out.
    Looking forward to following your blog.
    Kathie

5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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