Keto Snowball Cookies
These Keto Snowball Cookies are buttery, nutty, tender, and covered in a snowy layer of powdered keto sweetener, making them perfect for Christmas cookie trays without the traditional flour and powdered sugar.
If you grew up eating snowball cookies, Russian tea cakes, or Mexican wedding cookies around the holidays, this low carb version has that same melt-in-your-mouth style of cookie with toasted pecans and plenty of vanilla.
Instead of wheat flour, we’re using finely ground almond flour. Instead of regular powdered sugar, the cookies get their snowy coating from a powdered keto-friendly sweetener.
They’re simple enough for an afternoon baking project but pretty enough to add to a Christmas dessert table or package as a homemade holiday gift.
Get 25 Easy Keto Air Fryer Recipes
Quick, crispy, low-carb recipes for busy days, all together in one easy guide. Enter your details below and I’ll send the recipes straight to your inbox.
No spam. Just helpful keto recipes and occasional updates. Unsubscribe anytime.
Why You’ll Love These Keto Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are already one of the simpler Christmas cookies to make, which makes them especially easy to adapt for low carb baking.
You’ll love this recipe because they’re:
- Buttery and tender
- Packed with toasted pecans
- Made with almond flour
- Made without regular powdered sugar
- Approximately 1 to 2 net carbs per cookie
- Easy to prepare ahead
- Freezer-friendly
- Perfect for Christmas cookie trays
- Great for holiday parties
- Easy to package as edible gifts
- Made from simple baking ingredients
They’re also one of those desserts that look much more festive than the amount of work involved.
A good small cookie scoop makes shaping the dough faster and helps keep all the cookies similar in size so they bake evenly.
What Are Snowball Cookies?
Snowball cookies are small, round butter cookies typically made with flour, butter, chopped nuts, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
Once baked, they’re rolled in powdered sugar, giving them the white, snowy appearance that inspired the name.
Depending on where you grew up, you may also know them as:
- Mexican wedding cookies
- Russian tea cakes
- Butterballs
- Pecan snowballs
- Italian wedding cookies
This keto version keeps the classic buttery pecan flavor while replacing the traditional flour and sugar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Finely Ground Almond Flour
Use blanched, finely ground almond flour, not coarse almond meal.
A finer texture gives these cookies a more tender consistency and helps them hold together.
Because almond flour brands can vary slightly in texture, weigh it with a digital kitchen scale if you want the most consistent results.
Unsalted Butter
Butter gives snowball cookies their rich flavor and delicate texture.
Let it soften at room temperature before mixing.
It should be soft enough to cream with the sweetener but not melted.
Powdered Keto-Friendly Sweetener
You’ll use powdered sweetener both inside the dough and for coating the cookies after baking.
The powdered texture matters because granulated sweetener won’t create the same smooth, snowy coating.
Pecans
Finely chopped pecans give these cookies their characteristic nutty flavor.
Toasting the pecans first gives them an even deeper flavor.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla brings everything together and makes these simple cookies taste much richer.
Salt
A little salt balances the sweetness and enhances the butter and pecan flavors.
Have You Stocked Up on Powdered Keto Sweetener?
Powdered sweetener is one ingredient you’ll definitely want before making snowball cookies.
A powdered monk fruit-allulose blend or a confectioners-style keto sweetener works especially well because it blends smoothly into the dough and gives the finished cookies that classic snowy coating.
Look for something labeled powdered or confectioners-style, rather than granulated.
It’s useful far beyond this recipe, too. Keep it on hand for:
- Frosting
- Cheesecake
- Whipped cream
- Donuts
- Lemon bars
- Glazes
- Brownies
- Holiday cookies
A large resealable bag is convenient if you bake keto desserts regularly.
Should You Toast the Pecans First?
You don’t absolutely have to, but it’s worth the extra few minutes.
Toasting brings out the pecans’ natural buttery flavor and gives the cookies more depth.
Spread the pecans over a small baking sheet and toast them at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes.
Watch them closely toward the end because nuts can go from toasted to burned surprisingly quickly.
Let them cool completely before adding them to the dough.
How to Make Keto Snowball Cookies
1. Cream the Butter and Sweetener
Add the softened butter and powdered keto sweetener to a large mixing bowl.
Beat with a hand mixer for about 1 to 2 minutes until creamy.
You don’t need to whip a huge amount of air into the mixture.
You’re mainly looking for a smooth, evenly combined butter base.
Add the vanilla and mix again.
2. Add the Almond Flour
Add:
- Almond flour
- Salt
Mix on low until a soft dough begins to form.
At first, it may look slightly crumbly.
Continue mixing until the butter has evenly moistened the almond flour.
Don’t add extra liquid unless the dough truly refuses to hold together after mixing.
3. Fold in the Pecans
Add the finely chopped toasted pecans.
Use a silicone spatula to fold them evenly through the dough.
The pecan pieces should be small enough that the dough can still be rolled into balls.
4. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Chilling firms up the butter and makes the cookies easier to shape.
This also helps reduce excessive spreading in the oven.
Don’t leave the dough refrigerated for several hours without letting it soften slightly before shaping because very cold almond flour dough can become difficult to roll.
5. Shape the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Use approximately 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie.
A small cookie scoop is perfect for this.
Gently roll each portion between your palms to create a smooth ball.
Arrange the cookies approximately 1½ to 2 inches apart.
They won’t spread nearly as much as traditional chocolate chip cookies.
6. Bake Until Lightly Golden
Bake for approximately 13 to 16 minutes.
The cookies should still look fairly pale on top, but the bottoms and very edges should be lightly golden.
Don’t wait for them to become deeply browned.
Almond flour cookies become firmer as they cool.
Immediately moving them while they’re extremely hot may cause them to crumble.
Let them sit on the baking sheet for about 5 to 10 minutes first.
7. Give Them the First Snowy Coating
Add powdered keto sweetener to a shallow bowl.
While the cookies are still slightly warm but firm enough to handle, gently roll each cookie in the powdered sweetener.
Transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
This first coating may partially absorb into the warm cookies.
That’s exactly what we want.
8. Coat Them Again After Cooling
Once the cookies have cooled completely, roll or dust them with powdered sweetener a second time.
This second coating creates the bright white snowball appearance.
A small fine-mesh sifter makes it easy to dust additional sweetener over the tops right before serving.
How Do You Keep Keto Snowball Cookies From Falling Apart?
Snowball cookies are naturally delicate, and almond flour makes them a little more fragile while warm.
There are several things you can do to keep them intact.
Don’t Skip Chilling
Cold butter helps the dough hold its shape while baking.
Measure the Almond Flour Carefully
Too much almond flour can make the cookies dry and crumbly.
Using a kitchen scale is especially helpful for keto baking.
Finely Chop the Pecans
Large nut pieces can make the cookie dough harder to hold together.
Let Them Cool Before Moving
Fresh-from-the-oven almond flour cookies are much softer than cooled cookies.
Give them several minutes on the baking tray before transferring them.
Roll Gently
You don’t need to compress the dough aggressively.
Use just enough pressure to create a smooth ball.
Can I Make Snowball Cookies Without Pecans?
Yes.
Pecans are traditional and give these cookies great flavor, but you can substitute another finely chopped nut.
Try:
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Macadamia nuts
- Hazelnuts
You can also leave the nuts out, although the texture and flavor will be a little different. Almond flour still contains tree nuts, therefore this is not nut-free.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to about 24 hours before baking.
If the dough becomes very firm, leave it at room temperature briefly before shaping.
You can also shape the dough into balls first, refrigerate them on a tray, then bake when you’re ready.
That can be especially helpful during Christmas week when you’re baking several different desserts.
How to Store Keto Snowball Cookies
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.
At Room Temperature
Keep them in a cool area for approximately 3 to 4 days.
Refrigerator
For longer storage, refrigerate them for approximately one week.
Let refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature briefly before serving for the best texture.
The powdered coating may absorb some moisture during storage.
Simply dust them again before serving.
Can You Freeze Keto Snowball Cookies?
Yes.
Snowball cookies freeze very well.
Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers.
Freeze for up to approximately 2 months.
For the best appearance, freeze them after the first light coating of powdered sweetener.
Thaw at room temperature and give them a fresh second coating before serving.
How to Make a Keto Christmas Cookie Tray
Snowball cookies look especially pretty on a holiday dessert board because their white coating contrasts with darker cookies and desserts.
Arrange them with:
- Keto chocolate chip cookies
- Chocolate treats
- Cheesecake bites
- Cinnamon desserts
- Berries
- Sugar-free chocolate
- Pecans
- Cinnamon sticks for decoration
Add rosemary sprigs or Christmas greenery around the serving platter for presentation, but make sure decorative greenery isn’t mixed into food unless it’s intended for culinary use.
What to Serve With Keto Snowball Cookies
These cookies practically beg for a warm drink.
Try them with your Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee for a cozy afternoon dessert.
They’re also a nice addition to a holiday dessert spread alongside Keto Maple Pecan Cheesecake.
More Keto Desserts to Try
If you’re stocking your holiday dessert table, here are five more Glow & Nourish recipes to add to your baking list.
Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts
Soft cinnamon-coated donuts made with almond flour make an easy low carb breakfast or dessert.
Keto Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
These pumpkin muffins combine warm fall spices with a creamy cheesecake-style center.
Keto Maple Pecan Cheesecake
A creamy maple-flavored cheesecake with a buttery almond flour crust and pecan topping.
Keto Lemon Squares
Bright lemon filling and a buttery almond flour crust make these a nice contrast to richer holiday desserts.
Keto Cinnamon Roll Coffee
A warm cinnamon-and-vanilla coffee that’s perfect for serving alongside cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are snowball cookies keto-friendly?
Traditional snowball cookies generally contain wheat flour and powdered sugar.
This version uses almond flour and powdered keto-friendly sweetener instead, substantially reducing the carbohydrate content compared with the traditional recipe.
Why did my keto snowball cookies spread?
The butter may have been too warm or the dough may not have chilled long enough.
Chill the dough for at least 20 to 30 minutes before shaping and baking.
Why are my snowball cookies crumbly?
Almond flour cookies are naturally more delicate while warm.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray before moving them.
Overmeasuring the almond flour can also create a drier cookie.
Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?
Not as a 1:1 substitution.
Coconut flour absorbs considerably more moisture than almond flour, so substituting the same amount would make the cookies much too dry.
Can I use granulated sweetener?
A granulated sweetener may work inside the dough depending on the product, but powdered sweetener is strongly preferred.
For the coating, use powdered sweetener to recreate the classic snowball appearance.
Do I need to toast the pecans?
No, but toasted pecans provide deeper flavor.
Why do you coat snowball cookies twice?
The first layer sticks to the warm cookie and partially absorbs into the surface.
The second coating goes on after cooling and gives the cookies their bright white snowy finish.
Keto Snowball Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If desired, toast the pecans at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes. Cool completely and finely chop.
- Add softened butter and ⅓ cup powdered keto sweetener to a mixing bowl.
- Beat for 1 to 2 minutes until creamy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add almond flour and salt.
- Mix on low until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the cooled chopped pecans with a silicone spatula.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie.
- Gently roll each portion into a smooth ball.
- Arrange the cookies 1½ to 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 13 to 16 minutes, or until the bottoms and edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the additional powdered sweetener to a shallow bowl.
- While the cookies are still slightly warm, gently roll each cookie in the sweetener.
- Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Roll or dust each cookie with powdered sweetener a second time.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition Per Cookie
Calories: approximately 155 Protein: approximately 3g Fat: approximately 15g Total Carbohydrates: approximately 3 to 4g Fiber: approximately 2g Net Carbohydrates: approximately 1 to 2g ALLERGEN NOTE: Contains dairy and tree nuts.Make These for Your Keto Christmas Cookie Tray
These keto snowball cookies are simple enough to make during a busy holiday week but festive enough to earn a permanent spot on the Christmas cookie platter.
Make a batch, let them cool completely, give them that final snowy coating, and serve them alongside your favorite keto desserts and a warm cup of coffee.
Looking for more desserts that make low carb eating easier? Explore the Keto Recipe Vault for keto cookies, cakes, breakfasts, dinners, snacks, and comfort-food favorites all in one place.
