Snowball Cookies Recipe
on Nov 14, 2019, Updated Dec 18, 2023
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Snowball Cookies have been a Christmas tradition in our family for over half a century. If you’ve wondered how to get your whole family together in one room (your kitchen,) we have the perfect solution.
Plus, you can make this holiday treat from start to finish in under 30 minutes! Read on and we’ll show you how it’s done.

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Snowball Cookies
There’s nothing like making Christmas Cookies with your mom. My mom came in for a holiday visit not too long ago and before I knew it, pots and pans of every form and size started to come out of our cabinets.
We made a lot of Polish food like Golumpki and Pierogi, and other family recipes like Mom’s Chicken and Biscuits. And lots of Christmas Cookies.
As we baked, we joked and laughed as she reminded me of Christmas past, as well as many forgotten family recipes.

Now there are many varieties of this Christmas cookie recipe, like Orange Snowball Cookies and even Snowball Grinch Cookies.
But today I give you the story, in my mom’s own words, how she came up with this family classic recipe for Snowball Christmas Cookies.
It was many Christmas seasons ago, and I can’t tell you exactly.
While I was making a double batch of butter cookie dough, I thought that it would be nice to use my cookie cutters and get the kids involved in some Christmas cookie decorating.

Grandma, Dad, and Platter Talk Kid, Asher.
However, while I was trying to roll out the dough, I was having a very rough time.
I knew that I was in trouble.
The dough was not only getting stuck to the rolling pin and counter, but also to the cookie cutters.
I did not want to start all over, mainly because at that time we didn’t have a great deal of money and the cost of the ingredients was a luxury.
Ingredients
- Flour
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Pecans (optional)
- Salt
In an attempt to save the batch, I decided to roll this dough into small balls and bake them.
When they came out of the oven I made sure they were cooled enough then I dipped them in powdered sugar.
My kids have always been my biggest critics. They tell me what is good and what is not.
I wasn’t sure what their reaction would be to these “mistakes,” which Dan and Scott are now calling snowball cookies.

To my surprise, each and every one of them loved them.
The next day I took a variety of holiday treats to my mother’s house, including my newly created “Butterball cookies.”
I really did not know what she was going to say. Again, to my surprise she loved them. They became my mother’s favorite cookie. She would ask me to bake them for her not only at Christmas but anytime she had a taste for something sweet.
Try this Snowball Christmas Cookie recipe it’s easy, I know you will love them. These are light and enjoyable. -Mary, Scott’s mom.
Our favorite Christmas Cookies
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Snowball Cookies
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and powder sugar together
- Add egg and vanilla to the creamed sugar and butter mixture. Mix to incorporate
- Add salt to the flour and slowly add flour and mix until all flour is added and mixture pulls together
- Mix in ground nuts until fully distributed into the batter
- Using your hands create little balls, approximately 1 inch round, by rolling the batter in between your hands
- Place on ungreased cookie sheet, leaving an inch between each cookie
- Bake for approximately 14-18 minutes. They will flatten a little on the bottom and be golden. When cooled, roll in powder sugar
Video
Notes
- These snowball cookies will store for up to two weeks in an airtight container.
- Freeze them for up to three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This brings back memories! I haven’t seen or, worse still, tasted a snowball for years! Oh I will have to make these.
I always have a problem with dough sticking to my counter — I think it’s because I live in Florida and despite the a/c – the dough just “knows”. This is my kind of cookie with the powdered sugar!
These are one of those traditional cookies that I LOVE To see on a cookie plate but for some reason I’ve never made them (probably because I’d eat them all before they make it onto the actual cookie platter!). I need to try making these this year!
How fun! I love seeing families cook together, it makes for great memories especially during the holidays.
How Sweet to see Scott and his mom in the kitchen together. Her story is so fun! Yes kitchen mistakes sometimes make fabulous recipes! These snowball cookies are adorable and I’m sure they are tasty! They have stood the test of time! Happy Holidays!
Thanks so much, Diane; we had a lot of fun with our mom!
what a wonderful post – Christmas is a great time for family and cooking special things, so it is lovely you have shared this family recipe.
Thanks so much for stopping by and the lovely comment!
I love the little story behind the cookie, I am sure it is one that will be repeated in your family throughout the years ๐ These cookies sound so delicious, and perfect for the holiday season!
Thanks, Donna! I agree with you, these cookies will be around for generations to come!
Snowballs are one of my favorite Christmas cookies and love that your recipe is easy to make and perfect for making with the family.
Thanks so much!
Nice Recipe for the holidays but also for tea time! Pinning for our “high teas” that my daughter serves us in her tea set :)s
Thanks, Sharee. Enjoy!!
I tried this recipe last week and I absolutely loved it! I switched out my flour for gluten-free flour and they tasted amazing!
Thanks for the awesome feedback, Tina!