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

There’s something utterly charming about these little treats — soft, buttery snowball cookies shaped like tiny Christmas mice! The Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe is not only festive but brings warmth and nostalgia with every bite. Let me show you how to make these adorable, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that’ll be the star of your holiday dessert table.

Several small, mouse-shaped cookies are covered in white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, powdery look. Each cookie is light brown and shaped like a teardrop to form the mouse's body. Two small almond slices are placed near the narrow end, acting as ears, and tiny pointed nut pieces are used as noses. Thin red candy strings lay beneath and between the cookies, serving as tails that weave through the group. All the cookies rest on a crinkled piece of light brown parchment paper, set on a white marbled surface. The background is soft and slightly blurred, with soft pink and silver decorations. 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

I honestly adore this recipe because it takes the classic snowball cookie we all know and love, and gives it the sweetest little twist — turning them into festive mice that bring smiles and holiday cheer. Plus, they’re so fun to make and decorate, which makes baking a true joy instead of a chore.

Delightful Presentation: These cookies stand out because of their cute mouse shape and candy rope tails, adding whimsical charm to your holiday spread.
Perfect Texture: They’re tender, buttery, and crisp just right, with a delightful coating of powdered sugar that melts on your tongue.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and nuts you probably already have, which means no crazy shopping trips before baking.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating and shaping the mice is a great activity to get kids involved in holiday baking.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These cookies are a classic blend of buttery richness and nutty crunch, balanced beautifully with just a touch of sweetness from powdered sugar. Each ingredient plays a role — let me break down why they’re here and what to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of a small pile of whole pecans, a square of unsalted butter softened and smooth, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse sea salt crystals, a neat mound of all-purpose flour, a small pile of delicate almond slices, and a bundle of bright red cherry licorice candy ropes arranged in a simple line, all ingredients fresh and natural, 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: Toasting pecans brings out their warm, toasty flavor and adds a bit of crunch to each bite — don’t skip this step!
Unsalted Butter: Using softened unsalted butter lets you control the salt level and creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Powdered Sugar: Both mixed in and dusted on top, it keeps the cookies tender and gives that signature snowball look.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, inviting sweetness that enhances all the other flavors.
Sea Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and bring depth.
All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together but keeps the cookies light.
Almond Slices: Used as tiny ears — they hold their shape nicely when baked and add a hint of almond flavor.
Candy Ropes (Cherry Licorice): Fun little tails that add a pop of color and playful detail to your mice.

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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

One of the best things about the Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe is how you can play around with the decorating details or nut choices to make it your own. I like to experiment with different nuts or swap candy ropes for other fun little edible decorations.

Variation: Personally, I’ve tried walnuts instead of pecans for a slightly earthier flavor, and they turned out wonderfully — just toast them lightly to bring out the aroma.
Dietary swap: If you’re gluten-free, try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum; just keep an eye on texture.
Seasonal twist: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough is a warm touch during the winter holidays.

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

The image shows several small, mouse-shaped cookies arranged closely together on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light brown base dusted heavily with white powdered sugar, giving a soft, snowy look. The cookies have two small almond slices on one end, placed as ears. One cookie is cut in half and placed on top, revealing a light, crumbly inside filled with small nut pieces, showing texture and color contrast. Thin red string is slightly visible underneath the cookies, adding a touch of color in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast Those Pecans for Maximum Flavor

I start by preheating the oven to 355°F (180°C) and placing the pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet. They only need about 5-8 minutes — just until they smell toasty and irresistible. Nuts burn fast, so keep a close eye on them. Once cooled, I crush them roughly for wonderful texture throughout the dough.

Step 2: Cream the Butter, Sugar & Flavorings

I like to use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment here, but a hand mixer works just fine. Beat softened butter with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt until you get a smooth, creamy mixture. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides so everything blends evenly.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Next, lower the mixer speed and gradually add the flour and cooled pecans. Mix just until the dough starts to come together — overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so patience is key. The dough should be soft but hold its shape when rolled.

Step 4: Shape Your Christmas Mice

Using a cookie scoop, I portion out 1 ½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Then, I roll each into a ball — here’s the fun part: pinch one side gently to shape a little nose, then press in two almond slices on top as ears. This simple step really brings the mice to life.

Step 5: Bake & Dust with Snowy Sugar

Arrange your mice on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch in between. Bake for 15 minutes until golden around the edges. Once out of the oven, immediately dust generously with powdered sugar to get that perfect snowy effect.

Step 6: Add Candy Rope Tails While Warm

Before the cookies cool, use a toothpick to poke a small hole at the back where the tail goes. Gently insert a piece of candy rope for the tail — I use cherry licorice for its bright color and pliability. The warm cookie helps the tail stick firmly.

Step 7: Cool Thoroughly & Enjoy

Let your Christmas mice cool completely on a wire rack. They will crisp up beautifully as they cool and are ready to bring holiday magic to your table.

Top Tip

From my experience, the little details make all the difference with the Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Toast Nuts Just Right: Toast pecans until fragrant but not dark brown. This prevents bitterness and brings out their sweet, nutty flavor.
Soft Butter Matters: Using properly softened butter ensures a silky dough and light texture. If your butter is too cold, the dough will be tough to mix.
Shape While Cold: If dough feels too sticky, chill it for 10-15 minutes before rolling. This helps keep the mouse shapes firm.
Add Tails Warm: Insert candy rope tails right after baking while cookies are warm to make sure they stay put.

How to Serve Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe

Christmas Mice Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting them generously with extra powdered sugar for that freshly fallen snow look. Sometimes I sprinkle a touch of edible glitter or mini silver dragées nearby to add a festive sparkle when serving.

Side Dishes

These mice cookies pair perfectly with a rich hot cocoa or spiced mulled cider. They also feel right at home alongside a cheese and fruit platter if you’re doing a holiday party with a mix of sweet and savory.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the mice on a platter lined with kale “grass” and tiny red berries so the scene looked like a little winter forest. It’s fun to get playful and turn dessert into a festive centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After they’ve fully cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for about 5 days without losing that great texture.

Freezing

Definitely freeze extras if you want to! I place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They thaw quickly and taste nearly as fresh as day one.

Reheating

If you want a freshly baked feel, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes to warm through — just be careful not to melt the powdered sugar coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these Christmas mice snowball cookies dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute the unsalted butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil that’s solid at room temperature. Keep in mind the texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the easiest way to crush the toasted pecans?

I like to put the nuts in a food processor and pulse a few times, but just until you get small pieces — not a fine powder. If you don’t have a processor, put them in a zip-top bag and bash gently with a rolling pin.

How do I keep the candy rope tails from falling out?

The trick is inserting the candy tails right after baking, while the cookies are still warm and soft. The warmth helps the candy stick securely. If needed, use a tiny dab of melted chocolate as extra glue.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dough up to 24 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Mice Snowball Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite holiday traditions because it’s such a joyful, interactive baking experience. Plus, seeing the smiles on friends’ faces when they spot those tiny mice on the cookie tray — priceless. I truly hope you’ll give these a try and add your own twists. Happy baking and even happier holidays!