Festive Snowball Cookies
These delightful cookies, often called Mexican Wedding Cakes, take on a charming persona when we refer to them as Festive Snowball Cookies. With a rich buttery base and a hint of vanilla, they are loaded with crunchy chopped pecans, making each bite a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Dusted with a generous layer of powdered sugar, they evoke the imagery of freshly fallen snow in the winter season. These cookies have been a cherished tradition in our household since my children were young, bringing warmth and joy to our holiday gatherings.
28
Servings
160
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1/2 lb (at room temperature)
Powdered sugar
2 cups (divided)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (pure)
All-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
Baking powder
1/4 teaspoon (not required)
Chopped pecans
1 cup (about 4 oz.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and prepare two 12- by 15-inch baking sheets by greasing them lightly.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and vanilla extract at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
3
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour and baking powder until well combined.
4
Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring gently to combine, then increase the mixer speed to medium until the dough is well blended.
5
Fold in the chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6
Using your hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7
Bake the cookies in the oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until they are pale golden brown. If using two sheets simultaneously, rotate their positions halfway through to ensure even baking.
8
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes, just until they are cool enough to handle.
9
In a shallow bowl, place the remaining 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.
10
Carefully roll the warm cookies in the powdered sugar until they are fully coated. Be sure to discard any excess sugar.
11
Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely before serving or storing.
Nutrition Information
10.7g
Fat
20.4g
Carbs
2.1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Snowball Cookies?
Festive Snowball Cookies, also known as Mexican Wedding Cakes, are buttery holiday treats made with chopped pecans and coated in powdered sugar.
What is another common name for these cookies?
These cookies are also frequently called Mexican Wedding Cakes.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 6 total ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and chopped pecans.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit or 150 degrees Celsius.
How should the baking sheets be prepared?
You should use two 12- by 15-inch baking sheets and grease them lightly.
How long do you beat the butter and sugar together?
Beat the softened butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and vanilla extract for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed until smooth.
Do I need to sift the flour for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour for the best results.
What size should the cookie balls be shaped into?
The dough should be shaped into 1-inch balls.
How far apart should I place the cookies on the baking sheet?
Place the dough balls approximately 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets.
What is the recommended baking time?
The cookies should bake for approximately 25 minutes.
How do I know when the snowball cookies are done?
The cookies are finished when they appear pale golden brown.
What should I do if I am baking two sheets at the same time?
Rotate the positions of the baking sheets halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.
How long should the cookies cool before rolling them in sugar?
Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, or until they are just cool enough to handle.
How much powdered sugar is used for the final coating?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar for the coating process.
What type of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped pecans, which is approximately 4 ounces.
How many cookies does one batch produce?
One batch of this recipe produces 28 cookies.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains 160 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 10.7 grams of fat in each cookie serving.
How many grams of protein are in each cookie?
Each cookie provides 2.1 grams of protein.
What are the total carbohydrates per cookie?
There are 20.4 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of vanilla extract is recommended?
The recipe suggests using pure vanilla extract.
Does the butter need to be at room temperature?
Yes, the butter should be softened at room temperature for proper mixing.
How should the cookies be stored?
After cooling completely on wire racks, store the cookies in an airtight container.
Why are they called Snowball Cookies?
They are named for their round shape and heavy dusting of white powdered sugar which resembles snow.
Is there baking powder in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder.
What category of food does this belong to?
This recipe is categorized as a Dessert.
Are these cookies a holiday tradition?
Yes, they are a cherished tradition for holiday gatherings and Christmas.
Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?
While pecans are traditional, you can substitute with other nuts like walnuts or almonds if preferred.
What is the first step in making the dough?
The first step is beating together the butter, part of the powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
Do I need to grease the baking sheets?
Yes, the instructions state to grease the baking sheets lightly before placing the dough.