Name: Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup pecans; ¼ cup almond slices; 30 pieces candy ropes (cherry licorice); 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); 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

There’s something truly delightful about the melt-in-your-mouth feel of these snowy little treats. The Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe turns classic snowball cookies into whimsical holiday mice, making them perfect for festive baking with a fun twist. I can’t wait to share this charming recipe with you!

This image shows many small treats shaped like mice, arranged closely on crinkled parchment paper with text. Each mouse-shaped treat has a rough texture covered fully with white powdered sugar, making a soft, powdery layer on top. They have two small toasted almond pieces on top as ears and a small clove or similar dark spice at the front as a nose. Thin, red licorice strings are placed among the treats, acting as tails. The whole scene is set against a soft-focused background with light bokeh and a white marbled surface beneath the parchment paper. 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 Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe isn’t just about making cookies; it’s about bringing a little holiday magic to your kitchen. I adore how these cookies combine the nostalgic charm of snowball cookies with a playful shape, perfect for sharing smiles and sweet moments with friends and family.

Fun Shape: These aren’t just any snowball cookies—they transform into adorable mice that are as cute as they taste.
Rich, Buttery Flavor: The combination of soft butter, toasted pecans, and vanilla is pure comfort in every bite.
Perfect Texture: Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re dusted generously with powdered sugar for that classic snowy effect.
Great for Gifting: These little mice make a charming gift that friends and family will remember—and maybe even request again!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect holiday bite. From the toasted pecans that add crunch and warmth, to the buttery dough that holds everything together, here’s why these choices matter.

Flat lay of a small pile of whole pecans, a few soft cubes of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a few grains of coarse sea salt scattered near, a mound of all purpose white flour, a small handful of pale almond slices, and several bright red twisted candy ropes, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate and bowls, 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: Toasted for aroma and chopped for a toasty crunch in the soft cookie.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates the rich, tender base that melts in your mouth.
Powdered Sugar: Used both in dough and for dusting, giving that snowy, delicate sweetness.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, inviting depth that makes these cookies feel truly special.
Sea Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cookie - just the right amount to keep them tender yet sturdy.
Almond Slices: These become the mice's ears—small but essential for the cute factor!
Candy Ropes (Cherry Licorice): Flexible and colorful, perfect for the playful tails sticking out of each mouse.

📝

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

I love to play around with these cookies. Sometimes I swap pecans for walnuts if that’s what I have on hand, or add a pinch of cinnamon for a seasonal twist. You can also use different flavored licorice ropes or candy to customize your mice tails!

Variation: I once tried adding finely grated orange zest for a zesty surprise—it added a festive brightness that was a hit with guests.
Dietary Tweaks: For a nut-free version, skipping the pecans and almond ears works fine; you might want to add a bit more vanilla for flavor.
Difficulty Level: Don’t worry if you’re new to shaping cookies—pinching the dough to create a nose shape is easy, just gentle pressure and you’re set!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe

The image shows several small mouse-shaped cookies dusted with white powdered sugar. Each cookie is a light golden brown and has two small toasted almond slices placed on top to look like ears. One cookie is broken open, revealing a textured filling that appears to be a mix of nuts with a slightly darker brown color inside. The cookies are resting on a white marbled surface with bits of red ribbon visible underneath, adding a festive touch. The overall look is soft, powdered, and cozy, with the cookies placed close together in a casual arrangement. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast the Pecans for Maximum Flavor

Set your oven to 355°F (180°C). Spread pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet and slide them in for 5-8 minutes. Keep a close eye—the difference between perfectly toasted and burnt is seconds here. When you smell that lovely toasty aroma, they’re ready. Let them cool completely before chopping roughly; this adds a satisfying crunch and depth to your cookies.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat your softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt together until it’s creamy and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally. This step ensures your cookies have that tender, buttery texture I love so much.

Step 3: Add Flour and Pecans to Form the Dough

On low speed, mix in your flour and the chopped pecans carefully. You want a soft dough that just comes together—overmixing will make the cookies tough, so patience here pays off.

Step 4: Shape Your Mice

Using a cookie scoop, portion out about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie. Roll into balls, then gently pinch one side to form a little nose shape. Push two almond slices into the top for ears—this part is so fun and makes these cookies special. Place them on your parchment-lined sheet with an inch of space between each.

Step 5: Bake and Add Tails

Bake for 15 minutes until they’re golden and smell fantastic. While hot, dust them gently with powdered sugar—this creates the iconic snowball look. Use a toothpick to make a small hole for the tail, then carefully push a piece of candy rope into each one before the cookies cool—it helps the tails stick nicely!

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack. They’ll crisp up perfectly while cooling, giving you that delightful balance between a tender inside and slightly crunchy outside.

Top Tip

From baking these Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned small tricks that really step up the final cookie’s charm and texture.

Watch the Pecans: Toasting pecans brings out their flavor, but burnt nuts can add bitterness. Smelling them is the best indicator—once you get that sweet, toasty aroma, take them out immediately.
Softened Butter is Key: Using room temperature butter means your dough mixes smoothly and you get that wonderful creamy texture inside the cookies.
Dust While Warm: Powdered sugar sticks best when the cookies are warm, so don’t wait until they cool completely to dust and add candy tails.
Gentle Shaping: When pinching to create the mouse nose, use gentle pressure so the dough stays soft and doesn’t crack.

How to Serve Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe

Christmas Mice Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with these mice, letting their shape and the powdered sugar snow do the work. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of edible glitter or a dash of cinnamon on top for that extra little festive sparkle that makes your cookie platter pop.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a warm mug of mulled cider, hot chocolate, or a nicely brewed pot of spiced tea. These cookies balance perfectly with warm drinks that complement their buttery, nutty flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

These mice look adorable nestled on a bed of shredded coconut “snow” on a decorative platter. For gatherings, I’ve placed them in small gift boxes with tissue paper—it’s a charming way to gift homemade cookies that looks professional without fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper to keep their delicate shapes intact. They stay fresh and crisp for up to a week, which is plenty of time to enjoy them slowly or share with loved ones.

Freezing

I freeze unbaked dough balls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag. When I want fresh cookies, I simply bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a great way to prep ahead for busy holiday days.

Reheating

To refresh leftovers, briefly warm the cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. It revives that just-baked crispness and brings out the buttery smell again, making each bite as enjoyable as the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute pecans with other nuts?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds make great substitutes and add their own unique crunch and flavor. Just toast them lightly like the pecans for the best result.

How do I keep the candy tails from falling off?

Add the candy rope tails immediately after dusting the cookies with powdered sugar while the cookies are still warm. The slight warmth helps the candy stick better. Using a toothpick to make a small hole also creates a secure spot for the tail.

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes! You can prepare and freeze the shaped dough balls, then bake them fresh on the day of the party. Alternatively, bake them and store airtight—they’ll stay tasty for about a week.

What if I don’t eat nuts?

If you have nut allergies, you can omit the pecans and almond ears entirely. The cookies will still be tasty, just a bit softer. Adding more vanilla or a little extra powdered sugar in the dough can help boost flavor.

Final Thoughts

These charming little Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies bring a joyful spark to any holiday table. They’re simple enough to make with kids or friends, yet impressive enough to wow guests. I always find myself smiling when I see their cute shapes and taste their buttery, nutty goodness. Give this recipe a try—I’m confident these mice will become a holiday favorite in your home, just like they are in mine.