These Keto Snowball Cookies are sugar free, low carb, gluten free, grain free and can be dairy free too! These keto Christmas cookies are perfect if you're on a keto diet, low carb diet or even if you just want to reduce your sugar intake, with just 1 g net carbs for these classic favorite little cookies!
Sugar-Free Snowball Cookies
Traditional snowball cookies have always been known as Gram's Butter Balls in my childhood memories, and they were everyones favorite cookies.
They are also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, but whatever you call them, they are delicious and should be a must-bake during the holiday season.
This classic cookie was so easy to make with just 4 ingredients of flour, butter, pecans and sugar.
I would often be preparing them with my grandmother as a child and loved every minute of the cloud of powdered sweetener sugar all over me. Everyone looked so forward to them on our holiday cookie tray.
Ghee, Butter or Coconut Oil
Sadly when my grandmother passed, my mom tried to carry on the tradition. She still makes them but doesn't have the time to make the dozens and dozens my grandmother would make for all our family and friends. That's where I come in!
My gluten free classic snowball cookies recipe of my Grandmother's Butter Balls are in my Naturally Keto cookbook. And they are good, but I have so many friends and family who need to be dairy free for health reasons and allergies.
I've used Ghee, which is a type of clarified butter and has very minimal amounts of milk solids in it, something like 99% free of milk solids. So if you're dairy free and haven't yet tried ghee, I would totally recommend it! If you have a dairy allergy to milk then swap with coconut oil instead of ghee.
I made these about 3 times before I got just the right mouth texture and taste. The first time I made them my oldest child, the picky teen, asked if he could try one. I never mentioned the name of them or what was in them.
He said, "YUM, these taste like Gram's butter balls"!
Mission accomplished!
All 3 of my kids and picky hubby too loved these cookies each time I made them.
Even my MOTHER said, these taste like GRAMS!!!
I was so honored! My grandmother, I think, would have loved my healthier version of her recipe or at least I would hope she's proud of me for trying to carry on her cookie tradition.
How to Make Keto Pecan Snowball Cookies
To view exact measurements, print recipe and see nutritional data, please scroll to the bottom of this blog post to view the recipe card.
Ingredients
Ghee or use room temperature butter or coconut oil for dairy free
Almond flour or see FAQs below to make these nut free
Swerve Confectioners Sweetener or low carb powdered sugar of choice
Extra confectioners to roll balls in
Step by Step Instructions
Place all ingredients into food processor, stand mixer or large bowl and use a hand mixer and process until cookie dough forms a ball. Pulse if needed.
Taste batter, adjust sweetener if needed.
Line a baking sheet with silpat or parchment paper.
Use a small cookie scoop or about a tablespoon of dough make 24 cookie dough balls.
Roll each mound in the palm of your hand and place onto prepared cookie sheet.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place in freezer for 20-30 minutes.
Place in preheated oven and bake cookies for about 12- 15 minutes or until golden around edges.
Allow to cool a little bit, about 5 minutes.
Once able to handle roll each in some confectioners sweetener.
Allow to cool completely before storing in an air tight container.
FAQs
How to Prevent Flat Snowball Cookies
Freeze them OVERNIGHT before baking, helps keep them from spreading and flattening.
How to Store
Place any leftover snowball cookies, once cooled, in an airtight container in a single layer. Lay a piece of parchment paper and place more in a single layer. Refrigerate for up to 7 days or place in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Can I swap almond flour with coconut flour?
Swapping almond and coconut flour isn't easy because ¼ cup coconut flour is equal to 1 cup almond flour and requires more liquids and eggs.
How can I make this nut free?
Yes, you can evenly swap almond flour with sunflower seed flour but to swap out the pecans you would need some kind of seed to replace, perhaps sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
Can I use traditional flour like white or wheat pastry flour?
You could but then these would not be low carb keto snowballs because white flour and wheat flour are highly refined processed and high in carbs.
Can I change the sugar substitutes?
Yes, you can use any sweetener you like. I also love monk fruit sweetener. I avoid sugar alcohols like sorbitol and Maltitol and they tend to cause adverse reactions like stomach upset in some people. Use my sweetener guide and conversion chart.
Can I use coconut sugar?
You could but then they would be high carb not low carb as coconut sugar is a sugar whereas stevia and Swerve are low carb sweeteners that don't spike blood sugar.
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Sure! You can use walnuts instead of pecans if you prefer.
I hope you enjoy these snowball cookies as much as my family did! Here are some other cookies you might love for the season!
Happy Holidays!
Sugar Free Low-Carb Snowball Cookies
Sugar-Free Pecan Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoon Ghee or coconut oil or use softened butter if not dairy free
- 1 ½ cup almond flour or 150 grams
- 1 cup pecans or 120 grams, chopped
- ½ cup Swerve Confectioners Sweetener or 78 grams
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- extra confectioners to roll balls in
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into food processor and process until batter forms a ball. Pulse if needed.
- Taste batter, adjust sweetener if needed.
- Line a baking sheet with silpat or parchment.
- Use a small cookie scoop and make 24 mounds.
- Roll each mound in the palm of your hand and place on cookie sheet.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place in freezer for 20-30 minutes. Best if frozen overnight.
- Place in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden around edges.
- Allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Once cool enough to handle, roll each in some confectioners sweetener.
- Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Louise
Can we use Butter?
Brenda
Sure!
Cassandra
I'm not sure if this is your blog but I'm commenting on it. I loved this recipe. Was a hit in my home. I missed these cookies so bad until I found your recipes. Thank you so much
Brenda
Thank you!
Rochelle
Brenda,
I wanted to let you know this is the first time I am leaving a comment. These were so fantastic that I just had to let you know and thank you for this great recipe. I have been following a ketogenic diet, and had compiled a list of keto-friendly holiday cookie recipes. I tagged these to include at our our annual family cookie baking weekend. I made these there and everyone was crazy about them. And, everyone raving about them does not follow a low carb or sugar free diet so this is quite the compliment - all their baking was with flour, sugar, etc while I had my almond flour, Swerve Sweetener, etc. And, they liked these the best!!! But, to be totally honest, I used butter as I wanted to use all keto-friendly ingredients. These were so good that last night I made 6 batches of them to give out to my customers. Thanks again for the awesome recipe - everyone is now asking me for it and I have given them the link to it.
Pam
Help!!! I don't have a food processor...can I use a mixer instead?
Brenda
You can but you really need the pecans to be chopped well. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Lauren
I haven't made this version yet, but I definitely plan to because they look so much like my usual Russian Tea Cakes. Just have to buy the Swerve confectioners Sweetener and the Vanilla Liquid Stevia. I've been making the traditional Russian Tea Cakes for many years and I have always used a regular old hand mixer, but I use my old Pampered Chef hand crank cheese grater to finely grind up the pecans. It makes it a lot easier to mix in the nuts. My family and I like the cookies with the pecans finely ground, but they would also be good with only half of the nuts ground and the other half finely chopped, if you prefer to have some slightly bigger pieces.
KalynsKitchen
Love this type of cookie and this low-carb version sounds great!
Mary
what is a good substitute for liquid Stevia?
Samantha
Hi!
Just wondering if the recipe can be done with no mixer or food processor? I found out I'm getting one for Christmas but that doesn't help me in my quest to make these the day before Christmas!!
Thanks!
Brenda
By hand may be difficult but I think as long as you have finely chopped nuts you can do it, may take some arm strength to get everything well combined. Please let me know if you do try it by hand.
EvaGalarza
Absolutely ... I found it very easy to mix up by hand and I mean get In their combined and press together then pop in fridge while oven warms up
Tracy
These were a favorite of mine growing up. Since I follow a low carb diet I am glad I found your low carb recipe version. Thank you!
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny
My FIL is a diabetic, I'm adding this to my list so he can enjoy some holiday cookies!
Brenda
Thank you Brandy!
Fran Settipane
I made these over the week end.......fantastic!!!!! Am going to make a batch for Christmas, fot my
Diabetic son-in-law. Now that he can't indulge in my regular cookies.
Rhonda
Could you do them in a mini muffin cup then you wouldn't have to worry about spreading?
Brenda
you could try that, I thought they would take on the shape of the pan and be flat at the bottom so I chose not to try it.
Kate Horrell
I made these last night, OMG they are FANTASTIC. I have always loved these kinds of cookies but being diabetic I couldn't have them, NOW I can. Thank u.
P.S. I made mine with real butter. So good.
Brenda
YUM! So happy you loved them!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish
Oooooo, I love that pic with the bite taken. They look like the perfect consistency/texture... and I just want to finish that cookie off!
Lora @savoringitaly
How nice of you to carry on your grandmother's baking tradition and you did a great job for the dairy free people you know (I know quite a few and have to make this for them!!)
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
What perfect Christmas cookies and perfect memories! I love this!
Amy M
This is a beautiful cookie to add to my CHRISTmas Eve family dinner. I may just whip some up for Thanksgiving, too! Thank you, Brenda!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I adore snowball cookies and I can't wait to try your version!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Mmmm, these are pretty darn close to my hubby's favorite shortbread. They look fantastic!
Ted
Brenda, these cookies look amazing. I love the tip about freezing them, excellent! I also love the the low carb aspect.
Just in time for the holidays. , thank you very much!
Alyssa | EverydayMaven
These are some of my favorite holiday cookies - love that they are sugar-free!
The Food Hunter
I am adding these to my holiday cookie list
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
That's so nice that you're carrying on the tradition! I have to try these!
Stephanie
I love snowball cookies - your version looks spot on!
Cindy Morgan
Since going LCHF, I have felt left out of the Holiday cookie craze. This recipe has changed all that! Can't wait to try them. Thank you so much for all of your recipes and tips. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Brenda
Thank you Cindy!Happy Thanksgiving!
Kellie
Can I substitute all the sweeteners you used with just a Splenda naturals sugar ? If so how much would I need?
Brenda
Sure, I'd say use 1 cup.
Kelly
Mine spread out even tho I did 30 minutes in the freezer...they were flat on the bottom and very crumbly/fell apart. I used butter, and mixed by hand. Any tips? They tasted very good tho.
Sandra
Same thing happened with mine, even though I followed the recipe exactly. They were really good though.
Kymbrlye Feldman
Me too! I was so sad when they flattened.
Brenda
Freeze overnight, that will for sure avoid the flattening.
Michelle Ross
Mine flattened too, even with freezing for an hour. Tasted great! I'll try overnight. I also substituted Allulose (confectioners) could that have contributed?
Joy
Brenda, Your site and recipes are so amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Would the recipe be the same if you wanted to just substitute real butter?
Brenda
Yep real butter will work just the same.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
That's so nice that you help your mother with the cooking making! I'd sure love a few of these.
Pamela Moynihan
Erythritol is corn based which isn't technically Paleo. Sounds like a lovely recipe besides that.