Name: Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup pecans; 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour (270g); ¼ cup almond slices; 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting); 30 pieces Candy ropes (cherry licorice)

There's something truly magical about baking during the holidays, and these little treats deliver just that. The Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe brings the warmth of toasted pecans and buttery dough with a festive twist – shaped like adorable mice, they're irresistibly cute and buttery with a nutty crunch.

Several small, mouse-shaped cookies are covered in white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, powdery look. Each cookie is light brown and shaped like a teardrop to form the mouse's body. Two small almond slices are placed near the narrow end, acting as ears, and tiny pointed nut pieces are used as noses. Thin red candy strings lay beneath and between the cookies, serving as tails that weave through the group. All the cookies rest on a crinkled piece of light brown parchment paper, set on a white marbled surface. The background is soft and slightly blurred, with soft pink and silver decorations. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn’t your average cookie recipe. I adore how these Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies feel both nostalgic and playful. The delicate dusting of powdered sugar reminds me of fresh snow, while the pecans add such a cozy crunch that you can’t stop at just one. Plus, shaping them into tiny mice is surprisingly simple and makes your cookie platter stand out at holiday gatherings.

Unique and Festive: The little mouse shapes create an unexpected, whimsical holiday treat that’s sure to delight both kids and adults.
Nutty Flavor Boost: Toasting pecans enhances their aroma and flavor, giving these cookies a rich, warm character.
Melts in Your Mouth Texture: The buttery dough combined with a powdered sugar coating creates a melt-away tenderness that’s just dreamy.
Easy to Personalize: There’s space to get creative with the "tails" and nut “ears,” so you can add your own twist or dietary adjustments.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe plays an important part. The buttery base, the toasted pecans for crunch, and the powdered sugar coating combine to make texture and flavor harmonize perfectly. Choosing good-quality vanilla and fresh nuts really elevates the end result — trust me, it makes a difference.

Flat lay of a small pile of whole pecans, a square of unsalted butter softened and smooth, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse sea salt crystals, a neat mound of all-purpose flour, a small pile of delicate almond slices, and a bundle of bright red cherry licorice candy ropes arranged in a simple line, all ingredients fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pecans: Toast them just right for that deep nutty aroma and crunch without bitterness.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is key for creamy mixing and that melt-in-mouth texture.
Powdered Sugar: Used both in the dough and later for dusting, it keeps the cookies tender and snowy white.
Vanilla Extract: Just a tablespoon adds warmth and depth to balance the nutty elements.
Sea Salt: A pinch enhances sweetness and rounds out flavors perfectly.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure but keep it measured accurately to avoid toughness.
Almond Slices: These make the cutest little ears and add a lovely texture contrast.
Candy Ropes (Cherry Licorice): For the charming “tails” – a playful, unexpected detail that kids love.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I love the classic pecan and cherry licorice tail combo, you can totally switch things up to suit your style or dietary needs. I encourage you to embrace your creative side here — it’s part of the fun!

Nut Swap: I once used walnuts instead of pecans and was surprised by how equally delicious and aromatic it became.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the flour for a blend like almond or oat flour, but keep an eye on dough consistency since it may require a bit more butter.
Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter and a flax egg, and swap licorice for fruit leather tails to keep the festivity alive.
Different Tails: Try thin strips of dried apricot or even small fruit gummies if you want to avoid licorice.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe

The image shows several small, mouse-shaped cookies arranged closely together on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown base dusted heavily with white powdered sugar, giving a soft, snowy look. The cookies have two small almond slices on one end, placed as ears. One cookie is cut in half and placed on top, revealing a light, crumbly inside filled with small nut pieces, showing texture and color contrast. Thin red string is slightly visible underneath the cookies, adding a touch of color in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast Those Pecans Perfectly

Preheat your oven to 355°F (180°C). Spread pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Keep a close eye—they’ll toast in just 5-8 minutes. You want them smelling fragrant and golden, not burnt. Once cool, give them a rough chop or crush — leaving some chunkier pieces adds great texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Flavor

Using a large bowl or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together until smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides often so every bit is mixed—you don’t want lumps hiding in there!

Step 3: Bring the Dough Together

Slowly add your flour and cooled pecans into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined into a dough — it should be soft but not sticky. Avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender and flaky.

Step 4: Shape Your Mice

Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Pinch one side gently to create a tiny nose shape. Then, press two almond slices on top for ears. Don’t worry if they don’t look perfect; the charm is in their handmade look.

Step 5: Bake and Add Final Touches

Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined tray with around 1" space between them. Bake for 15 minutes or until they're golden around the edges. Right out of the oven, dust with powdered sugar for that snowy finish. Use a toothpick to gently poke a small hole for the tail, then insert a piece of candy rope while cookies are still warm so it sticks well. Let cool completely — trust me, the crispness improves as they rest.

Top Tip

Having baked these snowball cookies multiple times, I've learned a few tricks that really make a difference to nailing that perfect texture and look.

Toast With Care: Pecans can go from toasted to burnt in seconds — I set a timer and stay close to the oven.
Butter Room Temperature: Using properly softened butter helps the dough come together smoothly without overworking it.
Shape While Coolable: Shape the dough when it’s cool, not warm — warm dough can be sticky and hard to mold.
Apply Powdered Sugar Immediately: Dusting cookies right after baking helps the sugar cling and creates that classic snowy look.

How to Serve Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe

nutty snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically stick to the powdered sugar dusting for that snowy effect, but a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios or a light drizzle of white chocolate can add a delightful touch. Sometimes, I swap the licorice tails for thin rosemary sprigs — it adds a festive greenery look and a hint of pine aroma.

Side Dishes

Pair these nutty snowball mice with a warm cup of spiced chai or peppermint hot cocoa. They also highlight the best alongside other holiday cookies, like ginger snaps or chocolate crinkles, for a fantastic seasonal dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like placing these cookies in little nests made from shredded coconut or paper “snow” in holiday-themed boxes. Kids love the excitement of picking a “mouse” from the snow, and adults appreciate the charm of the presentation. You could also line a tray with festive napkins and scatter candy canes around for a merry display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their crisp edges and tender center for up to a week if sealed well. If you notice they soften a bit, a quick re-crisp in the oven fixes that instantly.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies before dusting with powdered sugar works best. I shape and bake them, then let them cool completely. Once cooled, I freeze them in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, reheat lightly and dust with sugar fresh for perfect results.

Reheating

To refresh leftovers, I pop the cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This crisps the outside while warming the inside softly. Avoid microwaving, which tends to make them too soft or chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work well too but toast them carefully to avoid bitterness.

How do I make the cookies look like mice?

After shaping the dough into balls, pinch one side gently to form the nose, press on two almond slices for ears, and use a piece of candy rope for the tail inserted right after baking.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before shaping and baking, which helps the flavors develop.

What’s the best way to store these cookies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for about a week, and you can refresh them in a warm oven if they soften.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Nutty Snowball Cookies Recipe holds a special spot in my heart. It's a beautiful blend of tradition and whimsy that brings smiles every time I bake it. Whether you’re gifting cookies, hosting a party, or enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea, these mice-shaped snowballs are an absolute winner. Give them a try—you’ll see why they’ve become a festive favorite in my kitchen and hopefully yours too!