These Paleo Pecan Snowball Cookies are sugar free, low carb, gluten free, grain free and now dairy free too! These are a perfect allergy friendly twist on a classic holiday recipe!
PECAN SNOWBALL COOKIES
Traditionally these cookies have always been known as Gram's Butter Balls in my childhood memories, and they were fabulous. They were so easy to make with just 4 ingredients of flour, butter, pecans and sugar. I would often be preparing them with her as a child and loved every minute of the cloud of confectioners sugar all over me. Everyone looked so forward to them every holiday.
GHEE OR BUTTER
Sadly when my grandmother passed, my mom tried to carry on the tradition. She still makes them but doesn't have the time to make the dozens and dozens my grandmother would make for all our family and friends. That's where I come in!
My gluten free recipe for my Grandmother's Butter Balls are in my cookbook. And they are good, but I have so many friends and family who need to be dairy free for health reasons and allergies.
I've use Ghee which is a type of clarified butter and has very minimal amounts of milk solids in it, something like 99% free of milk solids. So if you're dairy free and haven't yet tried ghee, I would totally recommend it!
I made these about 3 times before I got just the right texture and taste. The first time I made them my oldest child, the picky teen, asked if he could try one. I never mentioned the name of them or what was in them.
He said, "YUM, these taste like Gram's butter balls"!
Task accomplished!
All 3 of my kids and picky hubby too loved these cookies each time I made them. Even my MOTHER said, these taste like GRAMS!!! I was so honored! My grandmother, I think, would have loved my healthier version of her recipe or at least I would hope she's proud of me for trying to carry on her cookie tradition.
HOW TO PREVENT FLAT SNOWBALL COOKIES
Baker's Tip: Freeze them OVERNIGHT before baking, helps keep them from spreading and flattening.
I hope you enjoy these snowball cookies as much as my family did! Here are some other cookies you might love for the season!
Happy Holidays!
Recipe first posted in November of 2016 and updated Dec.2017 with new photos and video.
SUGAR FREE KETO PECAN SNOWBALLS
Sugar-Free Paleo Pecan Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoon Ghee or use butter if not paleo
- 1 ½ cup almond flour 150 grams
- 1 cup pecans 120 grams, chopped
- ½ cup Swerve Confectioners Sweetener 78 grams
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- extra confectioners to roll balls in
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place all ingredients into food processor and process until batter forms a ball. Pulse if needed.
- Taste batter, adjust sweetener if needed.
- Line a baking sheet with silpat or parchment.
- Use a cookie scoop and make 24 mounds.
- Roll each mound in the palm of your hand.
- Place in freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- Place in oven for 15 minutes or until golden around edges.
- Allow to cool slightly.
- Once able to handle roll each in some confectioners sweetener.
- Allow to cool completely before storing in an air tight container.
shabnam sabzehi
Wow simply delicious and easy to make! I used butter and didn’t freeze but turned out great! Thanks
Andrea Garber
I love reading other people’s comments on recipes but often don’t post my own comments however I felt compelled to write today. In addition, it makes me laugh when people say ‘I loved this recipe but I made these changes.....” and by the time you read the changes the recipe really isn’t the same. That being said, I want to tell you how delicious this was! I am a follower of the Wahls protocol which is essentially a paleo diet and does not include any sugar free sweeteners. I am always looking for recipes for dessert and to date I only have two recipes that fit this bill so far. I did make changes to the recipe which allows me to adhere to my eating plan and I made this today with the ghee, almond flour, vanilla, pecans, 1 tsp cinnamon and I used 1/2 tsp salt because I like the salt in my sweets. This was absolutely wonderful! Thank you for allowing me to enjoy dessert again! All The Best, Andrea
Stephanie
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Brenda
yep that works too!
Sylvanna
Unsalted butter or salted?
Brenda
I've used both at different times and really can't notice any difference, but if you're sensitive to salt, use unsalted.
Aura Deleon
Just made this recipe, and your recipes are always “spot on” ...so good!! Thank you!
Tiffany
I’m totally dairy free (major allergy). Will coconut oil work?
Brenda
Yes
Margaret
Can you replace almond flour with coconut flour?
Brenda
Not for this recipe, it's not an equal swap, sorry I'd have to test it out.
Janel
These cookies are so good. My diabetic husband is so pleased I found this recipe. The cookies are so close to being like the Pecan Balls his Mother always made. So I thank you so much Brenda for sharing this recipe with us. God bless you.
Sherry
When I make these cookies do I add the confectioners sugar with the cookies and more to roll the cookies in?
Brenda
Yes, it's listed in the ingredient list, extra confectioners to roll balls in.
Sherry
I’m also wondering like Beth if these can successfully baked prior to Christmas and frozen then defrosted? Btw, my sugar-addicted teen son just tried one and LOVES them! This is the kid who turns his nose up at most of them treats I make, asking, “ this isn’t Paleo is it?” ?
Brenda
Yes I've successfully baked and frozen then thawed for Christmas.
Sherry
I’ve been making Russian tea cakes for years and I have to say, this version tastes just like the real deal! You’ve made me soooo happy! I used powdered Boca Sweet for the sweetener as a one to one sub and it worked great! Thank you so much for this nearly guilt free treat!
Jackie
These look amazing!! Can’t wait to make them!