Keto Pecan Snowball Cookies made with almond flour, sugar-free sweetener and butter. This easy sugar-free cookie recipe is a healthier holiday treat!
Buttery, flaky shortbread-like cookies studded with little bits of pecans and rolled in powdered sweetener that happen to be sugar-free and grain-free? Youโre going to LOVE these Keto Pecan Snowballs!
These keto snowball cookies are a similar concept to Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Italian Wedding Cookies, Keto Pecan Shortbread, etc.
Theyโre buttery lumps of soft yet crispy cookie with chopped nuts (in this case, pecans) mixed in and rolled in a dusting of powdered sugar (in this case, sugar-free).
There are many things I love about this style of cookie in addition to the fact that they are melt-in-your-mouth blissful to eat.
They require very few ingredients, no eggs, and can easily be made in advance and frozen.
In fact, you will need to freeze the cookie dough prior to baking it anyway, so if youโre looking for a.) make-ahead Christmas cookie recipes, and/or b.) cookie dough that can easily be made in bulk then baked from frozen, these may just be a great fit!
Ingredients for Keto Snowball Cookies:
Butter: Bringing that rich, creamy flavor to these cookies, we use butter. You can also use ghee or coconut oil – just be sure itโs softened and not melted!
Almond Flour: The majority of the flour in these keto snowballs is superfine almond flour. It brings that light and airy texture similar to regular flour.
Absorbency varies between brands of almond flour so if you notice your dough is overly crumbly, add more softened butter (one tablespoon at a time) until it comes together easily. If the dough is overly sticky, add more almond flour, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough resembles the same consistency as regular cookie dough.
Coconut Flour: Coconut flour helps hold these cookies together without the use of eggs and adds a natural sweetness. The combination of almond flour and coconut flour yields just the right consistency! Coconut flour cannot be replaced with any other flour, as it is 4 times more absorbent than any other flour.
Sugar-Free Granulated Sweetener: This keto version of snowball cookies is sweetened using sugar-free granulated sweetener. I used Truvia in these snowballs, but you can go with your favorite sugar-free sweetener. Swerve or Monk Fruit Sweetener are always great.
Raw Pecans: Bringing nutty flavor and lovely texture to these cookies, you wonโt want to skip the pecans! Chop them up very finely so that you get little pops of crunchy texture.
Vanilla Extract & Sea Salt: Flavor enhancements! If you donโt have vanilla extract, you can skip it, or you can replace it with ยผ tsp almond extract.
Sugar-Free Confectioners Sugar: Used for rolling the cookies for that powdered sugar finish. Use your favorite sugar-free confectioners (or powdered) sugar. I prefer Truvia or Swerve.
Can I Use Regular Sweetener?
If you donโt bake with sugar-free sweeteners, no sweat! You can check out my Paleo Russian Tea Cakes, which are sweetened with pure maple syrup. These are not considered keto but are still a more health-conscious alternative to the classic snowball cookies.
How to Make Keto Pecan Snowball Cookies:
Add all ingredients for the Keto Pecan Snowball Cookies to a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed until well-combined. Refrigerate cookie dough for 2 hours.
Form balls out of the cookie dough, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Place tray of dough balls in the freezer and freeze for 15 minutes.
When youโre ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, just until cookies begin turning slightly golden-brown. Allow cookies to cool at least 20 minutes, or until they feel firm.
Place sugar-free confectioners sweetener in a bowl and roll each ball of dough in the sweetener.
Looking for more sugar-free Christmas cookie recipes? Have a look at my Keto Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, Keto Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, and Keto Lemon Cookies.
My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!
If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!
Keto Pecan Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, or ghee, softened
- 2 cups Super Fine Almond Flour
- 2 Tbsp coconut flour
- 1/3 cup sugar-free granulated sweetener
- 1/2 cup raw pecans finely chopped
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients for the Keto Pecan Snowball Cookies to a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed until well-combined. Refrigerate cookie dough for 2 hours. Form balls out of the cookie dough, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place tray of dough balls in the freezer and freeze for 15 minutes.
- When youโre ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, just until cookies begin turning slightly golden-brown. Allow cookies to cool at least 20 minutes, or until they feel firm.
- Place sugar-free confectioners sweetener in a bowl and roll each ball of dough in the sweetener.
Nutrition
I made these cookies today and they are absolutely delicious! I do have a question about the calories. The recipe says 171 kcal. That translates to 171,000 calories. Is that correct?
I’m happy you enjoy them, Roy! Yes, that’s correct – 171 kcal = 171,000 calories ๐ xo
Julia, these are so yummy! I used the almond extract option and I thought it was an excellent choice. Worked perfect with the Lakanto sweetener and sugar free confectioner.
I’m so happy you enjoy them, Stella! Love these cookies with almond extract. Thanks so much for reporting back! xo
have you tried these with monk fruit?
I haven’t made this recipe with Monkfruit sweetener, but I’ve used it many times in past recipes. It’ll work great here! xoxo
I made these in my food processor. They were quick and easy. I didn’t freeze them before baking but they came out perfect after 10 min in the oven. It made 19 cookies delish!
I’m so happy you like them, Shari! Thanks so much for the follow up note! xoxox
I loved these so much! I made a video of me baking them (and, of course, attributed you). I had never recorded a cooking video before, but I enjoyed making these so much I wanted to share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfU7qWC8h7M
I LOVE THIS!! Thank you so much for making and sharing the video…That seriously makes my day! I hope you’re having a fabulous holiday season! xoxoxo
Made these today. Fell apart in our hands, but yummy. Used super fine flour. And it was cookie like. Still add more flour?
Hi Geege,
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! The reverse, actually – you’d want to add more butter (or oil) until the dough comes together easily and isn’t crumbly. xoxo
hi what do you think about subbing ghee or coconut oil for the butter?
Hi Deanna! Either one works! If you want the cookies to have that iconic buttery flavor, use ghee ๐ xoxo