If you love festive bakes that are easy, cosy, and guaranteed to impress, you’re going to adore these Snowball Cookies – the star of episode 2 of my Christmas baking series, Small Bakes, Big Cheer.

This series is all about simple festive treats with big flavour and big cheer, and these crumbly, buttery snowball biscuits are exactly that. Made with toasted pecans, vanilla, and a delicate coating of icing sugar, they’re melt-in-the-mouth soft and look just like little snowballs, making them the perfect treat for Christmas platters, edible gifts, or a cosy baking afternoon.

These cookies are inspired by classic Christmas favourites like Mexican wedding cookies and Russian tea cakes, but with an optional splash of hazelnut liqueur for extra warmth and festive flavour.

Why You’ll Love These Snowball Cookies

Quick and easy – no chilling needed
Soft, crumbly, and buttery texture
Perfect for beginner bakers
Fun to roll and coat (great for kids)
Ideal for Christmas baking, gifting, and cookie tins

How to Make Snowball Cookies

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
Cream the softened butter and icing sugar until pale and fluffy.
Mix in the vanilla extract and hazelnut liqueur (if using).
Stir in the flour and salt until just combined.
Fold through the finely chopped toasted pecans.
Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and space them slightly apart on your trays.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until just set and lightly golden on the bottom.
Let them cool for 5 minutes, then gently roll in powdered sugar while still warm.
Once fully cool, roll them in the sugar again for that classic snowy finish.

Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies

Finely chop the pecans so the dough holds together properly
Don’t overbake — they should stay pale for a melt-in-the-mouth texture
Toasting the pecans adds extra depth of flavour
Store in layers with parchment paper to keep the sugar coating tidy you’ll need:

How to Package Snowball Cookies as a Christmas Gift

These snowball cookies make beautiful homemade Christmas gifts. Their snowy sugar coating and delicate texture feel special and festive, and they’re surprisingly easy to package in a way that looks thoughtful and professional.

What You’ll Need

To package your cookies neatly and safely, you’ll want a few simple supplies:

Small gift boxes or cookie tins
Greaseproof or parchment paper
Clear cellophane bags (optional)
Festive ribbon, twine, or string
Gift tags or kraft labels
Tissue paper or shredded paper filler

How to Package Them Step-by-Step

Let the cookies cool completely before packing to avoid moisture building up inside the packaging.
Line your box or tin with parchment or greaseproof paper to keep the sugar coating neat.
Place the cookies in one neat layer if possible — or separate layers with parchment to protect their shape.
If using cellophane bags, stack the cookies gently inside, then tie closed with ribbon or twine.
Add a simple gift tag with a message like “Homemade Snowball Cookies” or “Freshly baked with love.”

Helpful Gifting Tips

Add a small note with storage instructions (e.g. “Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days”).
Include the flavour details (vanilla, pecan, hazelnut) for allergy awareness.
For a more luxurious feel, choose rigid boxes or metal tins instead of soft bags.
A final dusting of powdered sugar just before gifting keeps them looking snowy and fresh.

These cookies are perfect for teacher gifts, neighbours, dinner hosts, Christmas Eve boxes, or festive party favours. Plus, they always look far more complicated than they actually are!