Snowball cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, Russian teacakes. . .what do you call them? I think they have been called every name by my family. . . Well, whatever name you give them, these cookies always make an appearance at Christmas with my family!
Over the years we have used different recipes that call for varying amounts of flour, sugar, or nuts. We’ve even made different variations that included mini chocolate chips, cinnamon, cinnamon chips, peppermint, etc. I’m not exactly sure where this recipe comes from, or if it is a compilation of different recipes. It’s just the one I found written out on a piece of notebook paper. 
These variations are a couple of our favorites. Both the peppermint and cinnamon enhance the richness of these cookies and make these little melt-in-your-mouth cookies even more addicting!
*Notes: If you are a big fan of peppermint, you may want to add more as this recipe gives the cookies just a hint of peppermint. Also, make sure that you crush the peppermint candies into almost a powder for the peppermint that you add to the cookies. If you have any big chunks, they may end up melting out of the cookie.
Snowball Cookies 3 Ways
Yield: approx. 4 dozen 1 inch cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 C confectioner’s sugar, sifted
- 1 C butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 C all-purpose flour
- 2/3 C pecans, finely chopped
- 3/4 C confectioner’s sugar, for rolling cookies
*For peppermint snowball cookies: Add 1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candies to the dough when adding the flour. Add another tablespoon of crushed peppermint candies to the confectioner’s sugar that is used for rolling the cookies in.
*For cinnamon snowball cookies: Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon to the dough when adding the flour. Add another teaspoon cinnamon to the confectioner’s sugar that is used for rolling the cookies in.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter and confectioner’s sugar. Beat in vanilla extract until creamy.
- Slowly beat in flour and nuts (and other add-ins, if you are making a variation). Dough will be somewhat stiff.
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set and bottoms turn light golden brown.
- Cool for 2-5 minutes (or until you can handle them) on baking sheet.
- Roll cookies in confectioner’s sugar to coat.
- Remove cookies to wire rack to cool. If confectioner’s sugar has melted into some of the cookies, give them another roll in the confectioner’s sugar.
This recipe is linked with the Riverton Housewives Round Up, Thursday Treasures, Weekend Potluck.
Love that these are a family favorite for you too…we make them every single Christmas too:-) So easy to make and eat!!!
Fun! I agree. . .they are quite easy to eat!
Ooooh peppermint snowball cookies! I’ve never heard of that in these, it sounds delish!
You really should try them!
I am blogging about the same cookie this week! We call them Pecan Sandies. Your photos are always so great. What photo program do you use to add graphics and words?
Michael Ann
thebiggreenbowl@gmail.com
I’ll have to check out your recipe! I use Adobe Photoshop Elements or Picmonkey when I want to make a quick change.
I love these! I have made lemon and almond ones they are delicious.
Oh, lemon. . .that’s a great idea!
Oooh, these just jumped to the top of my list of contenders for the cookie exchange I’m going to next week! Delicious!
Thanks Kelsey!
I don’t think I’ve ever had these before. They look good so I may just have to try them!
You are missing out!
You really need to try them!
How fun! I love that you can have three different kinds from one recipe!
Thanks Anna! It makes it easy to have a variety!
LOVE snowball cookies…they’re one of my holiday favorites!!
Aren’t they great! I always eat way too many of them!
I love the cinnamon idea! That’s so simple and yet so creative. We make this recipe every year, so I’m definitely going to add some cinnamon. How delicious.
If you like cinnamon, you’ll love the boost of flavor that it gives to these!
These are so cute!! I’ve never actually had a Mexican Wedding Cookie before, but I love the idea of adding peppermint for the holidays
Then they really do seem like snowball cookies heehee.
Thanks Jess!
We call them Russian Tea Cakes. I’ve never made another recipe besides my mom’s (which was my grandma’s too)… but I must say, I LOVE your variations–especially the cinnamon. Delish!
That’s great that you have a family recipe to use! I think we need to finally settle on just one!
Oh yum, love your variation of Cinnamon Snowball Cookies! These look so tasty – perfect for a holiday party
Thank you, Jen!
I’ve never had these cookies and they are so easy to make!
You need to try them soon!
I call these delicious!!! My mom always made these when I was little! A family favorite. I’ve never tried them with peppermint!
The peppermint is a fun way to make them festive! And it tastes good!
I love these! So beautiful and festive. And of course I love the peppermint!
Thanks Ashley!
Oh my goodness always a favorite in our house too! Great pic’s!
Thank you, Serena!
These are so pretty! I love me some snowball cookies.
Thanks, Dorothy!
for the peppermint snowballs, do you omit the nuts, or not?
I made them with the nuts. If you want to leave them out, that’s fine. You may want to add more flour though.
Jessica, snowball cookies are my FAVORITE Christmas cookie OF. ALL. TIME. I remember as a kid, our old neighbors would bake up some and send them over for my dad, who loves them too. I stole one of his cookies and fell in love at first bite. The buttery pecan cookie that was so tender, it melts in your mouth.. the powdered sugar.. everything about it is my favorite! And I love your spin on different varieties.. the peppermint sounds phenom!
yum! my family calls them mexican wedding balls…i don’t know why
I am not a fan of cold weather and snow.. but this is one snowball I can get totally into.
love how you can make so many different variations…and like the ornaments in the picture!
I’ll take 100 please (and double it)!