Ah, snowball cookies. These buttery, nutty little bites are like holiday cheer in edible form. But if you’re on a keto diet, the usual recipe (loaded with flour and sugar) can feel like forbidden fruit. Enter keto snowball cookies! Same cozy, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth magic, but without the carbs. These little snow-dusted wonders are about to be your new best friend for guilt-free holiday treats.
Imagine a plate full of cookies, dusted in a gentle snow of keto-friendly powdered sweetener, all nutty and rich and perfectly crumbly. And guess what? They’re easy to make, ridiculously satisfying, and packed with ingredients that fit perfectly into your low-carb lifestyle. Whether you call them snowballs, Russian tea cakes, or Mexican wedding cookies, these are the cookies your keto winter dreams are made of.
Why You’ll Love These Keto Snowball Cookies
Keto snowball cookies check all the holiday boxes: nostalgic, decadent, easy to make, and (surprise!) low in carbs. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, dessert trays, or just having around the house when you need a cozy little treat with your coffee. Plus, these cookies are:
- Buttery and crumbly like traditional snowball cookies, thanks to almond flour and butter.
- Sweet without sugar, using a keto-approved sweetener.
- Totally easy – you can make the dough in minutes, roll, bake, and be munching on them in no time.
- Customizable – add a hint of cinnamon, swap in different nuts, or dip them in a bit of melted chocolate for a special twist.
What Makes These Snowball Cookies Keto?
Traditional snowball cookies are all about flour and sugar – two things you’d rather avoid on keto. To make a low-carb version, we swap the wheat flour for almond flour, which has a rich, nutty flavor and the perfect crumbly texture. Instead of regular powdered sugar, we use a powdered keto sweetener (like erythritol or monk fruit) to mimic that classic powdered sugar dusting.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what makes these keto snowball cookies both tasty and keto-friendly:
- Almond Flour – Provides a perfect crumbly texture and a mild, nutty flavor. Look for blanched almond flour for the best texture.
- Butter – The base of the flavor in these cookies. Choose high-quality unsalted butter if you can; it really makes a difference.
- Chopped Nuts – Pecans, walnuts, or even almonds work well here. Chop them finely for the best texture. Pecans are the classic choice, giving a bit of buttery richness, but any nuts will do.
- Powdered Keto Sweetener – For that snowy finish! You can use powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to replace powdered sugar. You’ll need some for the dough and a bit extra for dusting after baking.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and depth to the cookies.
- Pinch of Salt – Just a pinch brings out the flavors in the almond flour and butter.
Easy Keto Snowball Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts recommended)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered keto sweetener (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper – this helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/4 cup of powdered keto sweetener until smooth. Then add the vanilla extract and mix well.
Add the almond flour, chopped nuts, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything until the mixture forms a dough. It might look a little crumbly, but don’t worry! Once you start forming balls, the dough will hold together.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Take about a tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms to form a ball. Place the dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes. You want them to be lightly golden on the edges, but don’t over-bake them. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 5: Cool and Coat
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. Once they’re mostly cool but still a tiny bit warm, roll each cookie in the powdered sweetener for that snowy look.
Step 6: Double Dip (Optional)
For an extra snowy effect, you can roll them in the powdered sweetener again once they’re fully cooled.
Tips for Perfect Keto Snowball Cookies
- Chop the Nuts Finely – If the nuts are too chunky, the cookies can fall apart. Aim for small, even pieces that will blend smoothly into the dough.
- Use Powdered Sweetener – For best results, use powdered erythritol or powdered monk fruit. Granulated sweeteners won’t give that same smooth coating.
- Cool Before Rolling in Sweetener – Rolling warm cookies in sweetener can get a bit messy, so give them a few minutes to cool down. That said, if you want them to really hold onto the powder, a little warmth helps.
- Store Them Right – These cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. Or freeze them for up to 2 months!
Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Here are a few fun twists on the classic keto snowball cookie:
- Cinnamon Snowballs – Add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs – Melt some sugar-free chocolate and dip half of each cookie in it. Let it set on parchment for a chocolatey touch.
- Coconut Snowballs – Swap half of the almond flour with coconut flour for a coconutty twist. Note that coconut flour absorbs more liquid, so you might need to add a little more butter.
How Many Carbs Are in Keto Snowball Cookies?
Traditional snowball cookies can easily run you 10-15 grams of carbs per cookie. But with almond flour and keto sweetener, these keto snowball cookies clock in at about 1-2 grams of net carbs per cookie. That means you can enjoy a couple without feeling like you’ve blown your carb count for the day!
Conclusion
Keto snowball cookies are like little bites of holiday cheer that just happen to fit perfectly into your low-carb lifestyle. They’ve got all the flavor and nostalgia of the original, without the carb overload. And since they’re so easy to make, you can whip up a batch anytime the holiday mood strikes.
Serve these cookies alongside your keto hot cocoa, wrap them up as gifts, or enjoy a few after dinner. They’re satisfying, delicious, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat without any of the post-cookie guilt.
So this holiday season, keep your carb count low, your spirits high, and your cookie jar full of these keto snowball cookies. Because honestly, who doesn’t want a cookie that’s both delicious and diet-friendly? Give these a try and see for yourself just how tasty keto-friendly baking can be.
Happy baking, and may your holidays be merry, bright, and very, very low-carb!
PrintKeto Snowball Cookies (Christmas Recipe)
5 from 1 review
These Keto Snowball Cookies are buttery, crumbly, and perfect for the holidays! With only 1-2g net carbs each, they’re the ultimate low-carb treat for anyone on a keto diet. Easy to make, these cookies bring all the cozy flavor of the classic snowball cookie without the sugar or flour!
- Author: Jane Summerfield
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 Cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Keto, Low-Carb
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts recommended)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered keto sweetener (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered keto sweetener until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add almond flour, chopped nuts, and a pinch of salt. Mix until dough forms. It may look crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet about an inch apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- While still warm, roll each cookie in additional powdered keto sweetener for a snow-dusted finish.
- Optional: Roll again in sweetener once fully cooled for a thicker coating.
Notes
- Use finely chopped nuts for the best texture.
- Powdered erythritol or monk fruit is recommended for dusting.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.
Please note: The recipe or ingredients shown in the video might vary slightly from what’s listed here. Use the video as an illustration, but for the best results, stick to the recipe provided in this article.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 85 Sugar: 0g Sodium: 5mg Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 3g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 2g Fiber: 1g Protein: 2g Cholesterol: 10mg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?
Not recommended for this recipe! Coconut flour is super absorbent and would make the cookies dry and crumbly. Stick with almond flour for the best texture.
What’s the best sweetener for these cookies?
Powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener work best. Avoid liquid sweeteners as they can mess with the dough consistency.
Are these cookies freezer-friendly?
Yes! Just store them in an airtight container and freeze. Thaw at room temperature and they’ll taste as good as new.
Can I use salted butter?
If you only have salted butter, reduce the pinch of added salt in the recipe. Salted butter will add a bit more saltiness, but it can still work in a pinch.