What if we took a classic holiday cookie and absolutely packed it with an insane amount of roasted pecans? That is exactly what happened when I decided to break the rules with these Pecan Snowballs 2. We are going big on the nutty flavor, mixing up the textures, and tossing them in a massive cloud of sweet powdered sugar!
These aren’t your grandma’s delicate little tea cookies. These are bold, melt-in-your-mouth miracles that bring major flavor to the party. With Mexican vanilla and a double-roll in powdered sugar, every single bite is pure magic and unapologetic indulgence.
The Loaded Magic
You are going to obsess over how unapologetically rich these cookies are. We don’t skimp on the pecans here—every monster-sized bite is loaded with nutty, buttery goodness that just hits different. When you want to go big or go home, this is the recipe you pull out of your back pocket.
The double-coating of powdered sugar creates a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth shell that is totally wild. It gives way to a ridiculously tender, buttery center packed with crunch. They are the ultimate sweet treat for any occasion, proving that more is absolutely more when it comes to flavor and texture.
There is no holding back with these Pecan Snowballs 2. The Mexican vanilla brings a vibrant, unexpected punch that makes these stand out from any basic snowball cookie out there. Get ready to break the rules and eat way too many of these!
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Pecan Snowballs 2
- Total Time: 1 hour 38 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These ultra-buttery Pecan Snowballs are loaded with finely ground nuts and a bold splash of Mexican vanilla for a modern twist on a holiday classic. Double-rolled in powdered sugar, they offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is both rich and satisfyingly crunchy.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups pecans
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dough)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Pulse pecans in a food processor until finely ground with no large chunks remaining.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and granulated sugar for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Stir in the salt and Mexican vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until just incorporated, then fold in the ground pecans.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop 1.5 tablespoon portions of dough, roll into smooth balls, and place on the baking sheet 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until set, then cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in 1.5 cups of powdered sugar, then roll again once completely cooled.
Notes
To ensure the cookies don’t spread too much, make sure the butter is softened but not greasy, and never skip the chilling step. If you want a deeper flavor, try lightly toasting the pecans before grinding them, ensuring they are completely cool before adding them to the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
The Nutty Arsenal
To make these epic Pecan Snowballs 2, you need an arsenal of high-quality baking staples. We are going heavy on the good stuff because we believe in monster flavor!
- Pecans: 2¼ cups of pure nutty perfection. Pulse them until finely chopped so they stuff every inch of the dough. The finer the chop, the better the melt-in-your-mouth texture!
- Butter: Two full sticks, softened. This is what gives us that crazy, buttery base. Do not substitute this—we want absolute maximum richness.
- Powdered Sugar & Granulated Sugar: We use both in the dough for the perfect tender bite, plus an epic mountain of powdered sugar for the outside coating.
- Mexican Vanilla Extract: Go big here! I use 2½ teaspoons to bring out a bold, vibrant flavor that totally rocks.
- All-Purpose Flour & Salt: The structural backbone of our wild creations. The salt balances all that powdered sugar perfectly.
Monster Steps
Step 1: Crush the Pecans
Toss those pecans into a food processor and grind them up until no big chunks remain. You want them fine so they pack perfectly into every single cookie and do not mess with the structure.
Step 2: Beat the Butter and Sugar
Grab your mixer and beat the softened butter, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and ⅓ cup of granulated sugar. Whip it for about 5 minutes until it is crazy light and fluffy! This aeration is the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth magic.
Step 3: Add the Flavor Drop
Mix in the salt and that bold Mexican vanilla extract. This is where the kitchen starts smelling absolutely amazing. Give it a good mix to distribute that vanilla everywhere.
Step 4: Mix the Dough
Slowly beat in the flour, ½ cup at a time, until just incorporated. Once that is mixed, dump in your ground pecans and mix just until it comes together. Do not overdo it, or you will lose that tender crumb!
Step 5: Chill Out
Pop the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Cold dough is the secret to thick, epic cookies that hold their shape. Do not skip this step!
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, roll them into smooth balls between your hands, and place them on the baking sheet spaced about 1 inch apart. If the dough is sticky, dip your hands in powdered sugar! Bake for 15-18 minutes until set.
Step 7: The Double Powdered Sugar Dip
Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes. While they are still warm, toss them in a massive bowl filled with 1½ cups of powdered sugar. Transfer them to a cooling rack. Once they are completely cool, hit them with a second coat for that ultimate snowball look!
Riley’s Wild Tips
Want to guarantee absolute perfection? Chill your dough like your life depends on it! A cold dough means the cookies bake up thick and beautifully rounded, keeping that monster shape intact.
When rolling, do not be afraid to press the sugar in. The warm cookies will slightly melt the first layer of sugar, creating a sweet glue for the second layer. For a crazy flavor twist, check out how we prep our pecan snowballs with extra roasting time for the nuts!
If you want these to be truly epic, weigh your dough balls to make sure they bake evenly. And always remember, the double-roll in sugar is not a suggestion—it is mandatory for that wild visual drama!
Go Even Bigger
Who says you cannot mess with a classic? Try tossing mini chocolate chips into the dough for a wild chocolate-pecan mashup. You could even stuff the center of these with a tiny piece of caramel for an insane gooey surprise!
If you love going crazy with nuts, swap half the pecans for walnuts or pistachios. Pistachios add a vibrant pop of color that looks absolutely fire against the powdered sugar. For more nutty madness, you have to try my favorite nussecken recipe!
Want a spiced version? Add a heavy dash of cinnamon and nutmeg into the dough for a snickerdoodle-snowball hybrid that will blow your mind.
Party Mode
Stack these snowball beauties high on a massive platter for maximum visual drama. The contrast of the stark white sugar coating against a dark serving plate is a total showstopper at any party!
Serve them alongside a hot cup of black coffee or incredibly rich hot chocolate. Dipping these buttery monsters into a hot drink is next-level delicious. If you are building an epic cookie table, pair them with a rich scottish shortbread to totally blow your guests away and keep the buttery vibes going strong!
The Sweet Truth
You are going to love the bold, buttery chaos of these Pecan Snowballs 2. They take a classic flavor and crank the texture and richness all the way up! We are talking maximum pecans, massive vanilla flavor, and a sugar coating that refuses to quit.
If you want to see another awesome take on these, check out this great guide on how to make pecan snowballs. Also, do not miss my legendary kourabiedes recipe for more powdered sugar fun!
Snap a pic of your sugar-coated monsters and tag me on Instagram, share your spreads on Pinterest, and drop a video on TikTok so I can see your wild creations! Keep breaking the rules in the kitchen!
