Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Simple Treats

These budget-friendly snowball cookies are rich with buttery flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They combine simple pantry staples like flour, butter, and powdered sugar, enhanced by optional chopped nuts for traditional crunch. The dough is crumbly but easy to shape into bite-sized balls, baked until lightly golden on the bottom, then rolled twice in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. Ideal for holiday treats or any sweet craving, they pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Variations include nut-free or using margarine for cost savings, with spices adding warmth.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:29:00 GMT
Warm, buttery Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies, coated in a thick layer of sweet, snowy powdered sugar. Save
Warm, buttery Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies, coated in a thick layer of sweet, snowy powdered sugar. | tastlis.com

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies rolled in powdered sugar, perfect for the holidays or any sweet craving made with simple, inexpensive pantry staples.

I have always enjoyed making these cookies during the holidays because they remind me of cozy family gatherings and warmth.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Butter & Sugar: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for coating), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Nuts (optional but traditional): 3/4 cup (75 g) finely chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Mix dry ingredients:
Stir in the flour and salt until just combined. Fold in the chopped nuts, if using. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
Form cookies:
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake:
Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden (cookies should remain pale on top).
Cool and coat:
Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes, then roll them gently in powdered sugar while still warm. Cool completely on a wire rack, then roll again in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
In this photo: a stack of freshly baked Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies, ready to eat with a warm drink. Save
In this photo: a stack of freshly baked Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies, ready to eat with a warm drink. | tastlis.com

My family always looks forward to these cookies during the holiday season, sharing stories and laughter as we enjoy each sweet bite.

Notes

Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth. Pair well with coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, electric mixer or sturdy spoon, baking sheet, parchment paper, wire rack, measuring cups and spoons.

Nutritional Information

Calories 110, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 11 g, Protein 1 g (per cookie with nuts)

Close-up of golden-bottomed Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies with pecans, perfect for gifting or a treat. Save
Close-up of golden-bottomed Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies with pecans, perfect for gifting or a treat. | tastlis.com

These budget-friendly snowball cookies are easy to make and a delightful treat any time of year.

Recipe FAQs

Can I omit the nuts without affecting texture?

Yes, omitting nuts keeps the cookies tender and crumbly but still flavorful, perfect for those avoiding nuts.

What’s the best way to get the perfect powdered sugar coating?

Roll the warm cookies gently in powdered sugar right after baking, then let cool on a wire rack and roll again for a uniform snowy finish.

Can margarine be substituted for butter?

Margarine can be used to reduce costs, but it may slightly alter the rich buttery flavor and texture.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container, they remain fresh for up to a week, maintaining their tender texture.

What spices complement these cookies well?

A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds warm, cozy notes that enhance their buttery sweetness.

Budget-Friendly Snowball Cookies

Buttery cookies coated in powdered sugar, made with simple staples for a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth holiday treat.

Prep Time
15 min
Time to Cook
15 min
Overall Time
30 min
Author Lena Foster


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 24 Portions

Dietary details Vegetarian

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)
02 1/4 teaspoon salt

Butter & Sugar

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
02 1/2 cup powdered sugar (60 g), plus additional for coating
03 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nuts (optional)

01 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans (75 g)

Directions

Instruction 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Instruction 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract.

Instruction 03

Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and salt mixture to the butter blend and mix until just combined. Fold in chopped nuts if using. The dough will be crumbly but should hold when pressed.

Instruction 04

Form Cookies: Shape tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls. Place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Instruction 05

Bake: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden while tops remain pale.

Instruction 06

Coat in Powdered Sugar: Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes, then gently roll them in powdered sugar while warm. Once completely cooled on a wire rack, roll again in powdered sugar for a final coating.

Tools Needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or sturdy spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Notes

Review each component for possible allergens. If you aren't sure, ask a health pro.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (butter), and tree nuts (if included).

Nutrition Info (per portion)

This nutrition data is just for your information—always check with a healthcare provider if needed.
  • Energy: 110
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Proteins: 1 g