Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice | Festive Holiday Treats

Name: Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice 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 utterly charming about these festive treats — the way the buttery texture melts in your mouth while the nutty crunch adds the perfect contrast. That’s exactly why my Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe has a special place in my holiday baking lineup. These little mice look whimsical but are surprisingly simple to bring to life.

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 Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly adore this recipe because it turns a classic snowball cookie into something playful and festive with those cute little almond "ears" and licorice "tails." Plus, the richness of the butter and toasted pecans makes every bite feel indulgent but balanced. You’ll enjoy making these almost as much as eating them—promise!

Classic Meets Creative: It’s traditional snowball cookie dough transformed with a fun nutty mouse shape that’s sure to surprise and delight.
Perfect Texture: Buttery, crumbly, melting in your mouth yet still holding shape thanks to the toasted pecans.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating these little mice with almond ears and candy tails is a joyful activity to do with family.
Great for Gifting: These festive cookies package beautifully, making them a coveted holiday treat to share.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a role in achieving that tender, flavorful cookie that’s just begging to be enjoyed with a cup of cocoa. I always recommend using fresh, quality nuts and real vanilla extract for the best results.

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: Toasting pecans before adding them intensifies their flavor and adds a lovely crunch to each bite.
Unsalted Butter: Softened for easy mixing, it gives the cookies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture without salty distractions.
Powdered Sugar: Used both in the dough and for dusting, ensuring these cookies stay delightfully sweet and light.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the dough’s flavor, something I never skip.
Sea Salt: Just a touch to balance sweetness and bring out the nutty notes.
All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds it all together for a tender cookie.
Almond Slices: These become little ears, giving the mice their character and a subtle nutty crunch.
Candy Ropes: I used cherry licorice for the tails – a fun and festive finish that’s sweet and chewy.

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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

One of the best things about the Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to your taste or what you have on hand. I often play around with nuts or swap the candy tails for something else fun.

Variation: I once swapped the pecans for walnuts and used thin fruit leather strips for tails — the kids loved the extra chewy texture!
Dietary Swap: For a dairy-free version, I use vegan butter and it still turns out beautifully tender.
Seasonal Tweak: During winter’s peak, I sometimes add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a deeper holiday vibe.
Difficulty Level: These mice are beginner-friendly — shaping them is easier than it looks and super fun to do with little helpers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice 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

Preheat your oven to 355°F (180°C). Spread pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet and toast them for 5 to 8 minutes. I like to keep a close eye because nuts can go from toasted to burnt fast. Once they smell rich and toasty, remove and let cool before chopping them into small pieces — this step brings out that deep nutty flavor you'll notice in every bite.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl or using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt together until you get a creamy, smooth mixture. I always scrape the sides down to make sure everything gets evenly mixed, which helps the cookies bake uniformly.

Step 3: Combine Flour and Nuts into Dough

Add the flour and those cooled chopped pecans into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. It might seem a bit crumbly at first, but keep mixing gently — the dough should hold when pressed. Don’t overwork it, or your cookies might turn out tough.

Step 4: Shape the Little Mice

Using a cookie scoop, I portion out about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough each time. Roll them into balls, then gently pinch one side to form the little “nose” of the mouse. Press two almond slices into the top for ears — I find using your fingers works best here. This shaping is what turns snowball cookies into these adorable nutty mice, adding a playful holiday touch.

Step 5: Bake and Add Tails

Place the shaped cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet with about an inch of space between each one. Bake for 15 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Right when they come out hot, dust them generously with powdered sugar — this coats them perfectly before adding the tails. Use a toothpick to poke a small hole for the tail, then press your candy rope “tails” gently in while the cookies are still warm so they stick well.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool completely on the tray. They’ll continue to firm up and develop that delightful crumbly texture as they rest. Then, get ready for your first melt-in-the-mouth bite!

Top Tip

From my trials, a few small tweaks really elevate these cookies. I’m excited to share tips that’ll help you get them just right.

Toast Nuts Carefully: Keep the oven timer close and smell the nuts as they toast — that’s the best way to catch the perfect toasty flavor without bitterness.
Don’t Skip the Butter Softening: Softened butter blends better, giving you that smooth dough texture essential for these tender snowballs.
Shape While Soft: Work quickly when shaping so the dough is pliable but not sticky — if it warms up too much, refrigerate briefly.
Dust While Warm: Getting the powdered sugar on right after baking ensures it clings beautifully—waiting too long makes it harder to get that perfect coating.

How to Serve Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple — a generous dusting of powdered sugar is all these cookies need to look snowy and festive. Sometimes I add a tiny dab of melted chocolate for eyes or use mini chocolate chips to give the mice a cute personality. It’s a subtle addition that takes them to the next level for holiday parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with rich holiday drinks—think spiced hot chocolate, mulled wine, or a creamy eggnog. For a light snack alongside, I like to offer a platter of fresh fruits like berries or crisp apple slices to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I arrange the cookies on a wooden board lined with pine sprigs and cranberries—so cozy and inviting! Wrapping them in cellophane with a red ribbon makes a charming gift, and placing a few on individual holiday plates with a small cup of tea makes for a sweet hostess surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to prevent them from sticking. This keeps them fresh for about a week—and they still taste buttery and crisp on day seven.

Freezing

Freezing is a great option! I like to freeze the unbaked shaped dough balls on a tray first so they don't stick together, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time. This is a lifesaver when holiday baking gets hectic.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop your cookies in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. This revives their crispness without drying them out, making them taste like you just pulled them from the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts besides pecans in this recipe?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work well too, though pecans provide that nice buttery crunch that pairs perfectly with the dough's richness. Just be sure to toast whatever nuts you choose for the best flavor.

Why is it important to dust the cookies with powdered sugar when warm?

Dusting the cookies immediately after baking while they're still warm helps the powdered sugar stick evenly to the surface, creating that signature snowy coating. If you wait until they’re cooled, the sugar won’t adhere as well and might fall off.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors develop and makes shaping easier since the dough firms up. Just let it soften slightly before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have candy ropes for tails?

You can get creative! Thin strips of fruit leather, licorice laces, or even small strips of fondant work beautifully as tails. If you prefer, just omit the tails and focus on the almonds for ears — they’re still adorable and delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Snowball Cookies with Nutty Mice Recipe really holds a warm spot in my holiday kitchen because it blends nostalgia with a sprinkle of fun. It’s not just about the cookies themselves but the joy in shaping those little mice and sharing them with friends and family. Give it a try—you might find a new holiday tradition waiting to happen right in your oven.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way