Pecan Sandies, Russian Tea Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, and Snowball Cookies all have one thing in common; they almost always contain ground or chopped pecans. For those severely allergic to nuts, this can be an extremely dangerous thing. Instead of using pecans, this recipe uses roasted salted pumpkin seeds, making it safe for those with nut allergies to finally enjoy these crumbly, sweet, and powdery traditional holiday cookies.
For those of you that have been following this blog for some time, I’m sure that it will come as absolutely no surprise when I mention that my darling B.O.B. Bob is severely allergic to all tree nuts. And yes, we’re talking full-blown Mick Jagger-style lips along with a complete inability to breathe kind of allergic to tree nuts. Pecans, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and almonds are all on the big ol’ list of things we should never allow B.O.B. Bob to eat if we want him to actually stay alive to mow the lawn, feed us when we’re beyond hangry, and occasionally clean out the litter box.
So obviously, when it comes to food, especially desserts, there are many things that B.O.B. Bob has never been given the opportunity to try without the risk of dying. These Snowball Cookies, similar to Pecan Sandies, Russian Tea Cookies, and Mexican Wedding Cookies, usually contain a healthy amount of finely chopped pecans, which means that B.O.B. Bob has obviously steered clear. No longer. With this crumbly, sweet, nut-free version containing pepitas or roasted salted pumpkin seeds, B.O.B. Bob can now be absolutely covered in clouds of powdered sugar just like the rest of us.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup of Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar (Additional for Rolling)
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
- 3/4 Cup Pepitas or Roasted Salted Pumpkin Seeds
- 2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla; mix for 1 minute on medium speed.
- Place the pepitas or roasted salted pumpkin seeds into a food processor and pulse them until they are coarse and crumbly. Add the processed pumpkin seeds to the butter mixture and mix for 1 minute on medium speed.
- On low speed, slowly add the flour a bit at a time to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until they just begin to turn a pale golden yellow on top.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 3 minutes.
- Fill a small bowl with powdered sugar. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat and then place on a baking rack to finish cooling completely.
Suggestions:
- If you use unsalted pumpkin seeds, you will need to add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt to the cookie dough.
- The amount of baking time will vary depending on how small or large you roll each cookie.
- These cookies don’t spread a lot when baking.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container between layers of wax paper.
- Always serve these cookies on a small plate or napkin because while these powdered sugar-coated cookies are amazingly delicious, they always, and I do mean always, make a big ol’ mess when you eat them.
- This recipe will make approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Improvements:
- Try adding a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to the powdered sugar you roll the cookies in after they are baked.
- Add a 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the cookie dough.
- CLICK HERE to check out all of our past cookie recipes. Don’t forget to check out our Christmas cookies section.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup of Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar (Additional for Rolling)
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
- 3/4 Cup Pepitas or Roasted Salted Pumpkin Seeds
- 2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla; mix for 1 minute on medium speed.
- Place the pepitas or roasted salted pumpkin seeds into a food processor and pulse them until they are coarse and crumbly. Add the processed pumpkin seeds to the butter mixture and mix for 1 minute on medium speed.
- On low speed, slowly add the flour a bit at a time to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until they just begin to turn a pale golden yellow on top.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 3 minutes.
- Fill a small bowl with powdered sugar. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat and then place on a baking rack to finish cooling completely.
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5 Christmas Cookies – 1 Batch of Cookie Dough
Reindeer Molasses Spice Cookies
Salted Honey Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and delicious holiday cookies. From classic butter cookies to iced gingerbread cookies, this list of ultimate Christmas cookie recipes has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for festive colors, unique seasonal ingredients, or just a cookie that’s super easy to make, these Christmas cookie recipes will help you find the perfect cookie for the season. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
This will be the 6th year Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck has participated in this particular Christmas Cookies Week event. Below you can find links to all of the recipes we have contributed throughout the years, however, you can also CLICK HERE to find an entire list of our past cookie recipes. Don’t be afraid to let a non-traditional cookie recipe play a role in your holiday baking this year because when it comes to Christmas cookies, variety is always a good thing. Happy baking y’all.
2022
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Lemon Iced Gingerbread Cookies
2021
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts
Cappuccino Swirl Butter Cookies
Dark Rum Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cocoa Powder Cookies
Old-Fashioned Jubilee Jumbles Cookies
2020
Cinnamon Chip Holiday Spice Cake Mix Cookies
Peppermint Cream Cheese Crushed Oreo Cookies
Cran-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts
Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies
2019
Cream Cheese Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Winter Wonderland Cookies
Coconut Grinchy Christmas Breakfast Cookies
Soft Cinnamon Apple Pecan Cookies
Chocolate-Dipped Christmas Butter Cookies
2018
Chocolate Espresso Brown Sugar Cookies
White Christmas Peppermint Holiday Cookies
Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cookies
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Cereal Cookies
Whoville Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies
2017
Crystallized Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mexican Chocolate Chip Crinkle Cookies
Welcome to #ChristmasCookies Week! That time of year when we soften the butter, fire up the oven, and make cookie trays for family, friends, and neighbors. This year more than 20 top-notch bloggers are sharing their very favorite creations for all to make and enjoy. Join us for a week’s worth of Christmas cookie deliciousness.
- Almond Paste Squares by Shockingly Delicious
- Cherry Vanilla Pinwheels by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Cherry Wink Cookies by An Affair from the Heart
- Chewy Frosted Christmas Blondie Cookie Bar by Red Cottage Chronicles
- Chocolate Blossom Cookies by Palatable Pastime
- Chocolate Mint-Filled Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies by Art of Natural Living
- Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies by Hostess At Heart
- Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookies by Best Cookie Recipes
- Elf Style Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies by Cheese Curd in Paradise
- Gingerdoodles by Magical Ingredients
- Gingerbread Magic Cookie Bars by Family Around the Table
- Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Spritz by Frugal & Fit
- Grinch Cookie Recipe by Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Nut-Free Snowball Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles by Christmas Tree Lane
- Raspberry Pistachio Thumbprints by Sweet Beginnings
- Rosewater Pistachio Snowball Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
- Sourdough Ginger Cookies by That Recipe
- Toffee Bars by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Whipped Shortbread Cookies by Blogghetti
