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Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies

Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies

Name: Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients: ¾ cup shortening; ¾ cup butter, softened; ¾ cup white sugar, or to taste; 2 eggs; 4 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ cup chopped pecans; 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, or as needed

Rating: 4.73 stars

11 Ratings
9 Reviews
6 Photos

This is my brother-in-law's favorite recipe passed down from grandmother to daughter in my wife's family for years.

By jimbeau

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

20 mins

cook:

20 mins

additional:

30 mins

total:

1 hr 10 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 dozen cookies

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 24 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

¾ cup shortening
¾ cup butter, softened
¾ cup white sugar, or to taste
2 eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped pecans (Optional)
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, or as needed

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

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Step 2

Beat shortening, butter, and white sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Sift flour and salt into creamed butter mixture and stir just until dough is combined; fold in pecans. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and arrange on a baking sheet.
Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Cool cookies slightly and roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool cookies completely and roll again in confectioners' sugar.

Cook's Note:

You may substitute shortening for the butter.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

234 calories; protein 2.9g 6% DV; carbohydrates 23.2g 8% DV; fat 14.4g 22% DV; cholesterol 30.8mg 10% DV; sodium 144.1mg 6% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (9)

Most helpful positive review

Abbey

12/13/2014

This recipe makes excellent snowball cookies exactly as written. Loved by all who tried them and sure to become a regular in our Christmas cookie rotation. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Most helpful critical review

mbees

12/15/2016

Made as directed with pecans. Bland tasting. Would recommend using almond extract vs. vanilla. Recipe made 48 cookies. Similar recipe using cream cheese better. Read More

11 Ratings

5 star values: 9
4 star values: 1
3 star values: 1
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Abbey

12/13/2014

This recipe makes excellent snowball cookies exactly as written. Loved by all who tried them and sure to become a regular in our Christmas cookie rotation. Read More

Helpful

(4)

ReneePaj

12/22/2014

While this recipe produced very nice not too sweet cookies something is not right with the directions. I halved the recipe and got about 32 1" cookies (used a cookie scoop). I have no idea how you can only get two dozen 1" cookies using the entire recipe. I also baked the cookies for much less time than stated about 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree F oven 20 minutes they would have been burned. I realize all ovens cook a little different but I can't help but wonder if the recipe got messed up when Allrecipes posted it. Otherwise this is a great recipe for a great cookie. Read More

Helpful

(1)

mbees

12/15/2016

Made as directed with pecans. Bland tasting. Would recommend using almond extract vs. vanilla. Recipe made 48 cookies. Similar recipe using cream cheese better. Read More

Tracy

12/11/2018

These were a huge hit! I was scrolling through cookie recipes just getting my Christmas ideas and came across these delectable delights. My only problem was I had no vanilla! Panic ensued me as I really wanted these at that moment. So I got in my cupboard and saw that I had Almond Extract. Oh! Y-U-M-me! I threw in some pecans and made these. I needed more sugar though and about an extra half tsp. of the Almond Extract. I baked them for about 15-18 minutes. This recipe made over 40 snowballs. I can't wait to try these with Vanilla! Read More

Carol Jenkins O'Neill

08/09/2020

On my family these are known as Pecan Puffs and are a traditional Christmas cookie. I make them every year. Read More

Nancy Anderson

08/25/2020

These are yummy and also easy to make. I will be making these often, and also for a Christmas cookie exchange. Does anyone know why lately on here whenever there's a recipe with eggs, it repeats eggs a couple of times. Just wondering, it's not important to this recipe. It is a stand alone goodie. Read More

Tiffany

07/31/2019

This recipe was delicious! Instead of shortening I used peanut oil and instead of white sugar I used confectioner's sugar. They turned out great! I will be making these again for the holidays! Pianogirl5 Read More

Annabelle Kimball

12/14/2019

Very good works well at high altitude also. Thank you Read More

Cindy

10/17/2017

Melt in your mouth recipe. I only reduced the sugar to half cup and used 1 cup of pecans for my taste. Oven temp and time was perfect for me. I tried this recipe in place of a passed down recipe I was not quit happy with. Will use this one going forward. Thanks for sharing! Read More

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All Reviews for Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies

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Nutritional Information

Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies

Servings Per Recipe: 24
Calories: 233.6

% Daily Value *

protein: 6 %

carbohydrates: 8 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 3 %

sugars:

fat: 22 %

saturated fat: 28 %

cholesterol: 10 %

vitamin a iu: 4 %

niacin equivalents: 14 %

vitamin b6: 1 %

vitamin c:

folate: 10 %

calcium: 1 %

iron: 6 %

magnesium: 3 %

potassium: 1 %

sodium: 6 %

thiamin: 18 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies

1 of 9

All Reviews

Abbey

12/13/2014

This recipe makes excellent snowball cookies exactly as written. Loved by all who tried them and sure to become a regular in our Christmas cookie rotation.

Helpful

(4)

ReneePaj

12/22/2014

Helpful

(1)

mbees

12/15/2016

Made as directed with pecans. Bland tasting. Would recommend using almond extract vs. vanilla. Recipe made 48 cookies. Similar recipe using cream cheese better.

Tracy