The Easiest Holiday Cookie to Make

Some holiday cookies require decorating, piping bags, or endless steps… but Pecan Snowball Cookies are the complete opposite. They’re soft, buttery, rolled in “snow,” and simple enough that kids can jump in from start to finish.

…This is the cookie to make when you want holiday magic without the holiday chaos.

No perfect shapes.
No sticky frosting.
No stress.

Just mix, roll, bake — and toss in powdered sugar. They’re the kind of cookie you make on a cozy December night with a movie playing in the background.

🎄Why These Are the Perfect Kid-Friendly Holiday Cookie

Snowball cookies are made for little helpers:

The dough comes together in one bowl
Kids can roll the dough into balls
They get to shake cookies in powdered sugar (the fun part!)
No decorating skills needed
The cookies stay soft even if the shapes aren’t perfect

They come out adorable every time — even when tiny hands make them lopsided.

What You Need

Just a few basics:

Butter
Powdered sugar
Flour
Vanilla
Salt
Chopped pecans

If you’ve done any holiday baking this season, you probably already have everything on hand.

How to Make Them

Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
Mix in flour, vanilla, salt, and chopped pecans.
Roll the dough into small balls — kids love this part.
Bake until the bottoms turn lightly golden.
While still warm, toss the cookies in powdered sugar so they look like snowballs.
Cool completely, then roll again for the finishing touch.

Set out a big bowl of powdered sugar and let kids “shake” the warm cookies in it — guaranteed giggles.

Tips to Make Them Even Better

Chop pecans finely so the dough holds together.
Roll cookies small — they’re meant to be bite-sized.
Double roll in powdered sugar for a thick, snowy finish.
Store in a tin to keep them soft and crumbly.

These also freeze beautifully, so you can make them ahead for cookie boxes or school events.

Why These Cookies Belong in Your Holiday Lineup

✔ They’re festive without the fuss.
✔ Classic without being complicated.Kids can help. Guests love them. And they disappear fast.
✔ Comforting, old-fashioned Christmas flavor with very little work.

It’s the kind of cookie that becomes a tradition.

If you want a full holiday morning spread to go with these cookies, start your day with cozy favorites too — check out Simple Holiday Breakfast Recipes for a Cozy Christmas Morning for warm and comforting ideas that pair perfectly with festive baking.

Looking for something new to make? Start here.

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