Danish Wedding Cookies are made with butter, pecans, vanilla, cinnamon, and powdered sugar for a rich, buttery cookie with classic holiday flavor. Melt-in-your-mouth cookies that look like little snowballs!
These homemade Danish wedding cookies are the perfect combination of buttery, tender shortbread, crunchy pecans, warm cinnamon, and sweet vanilla, all finished with a snowy coating of powdered sugar. They’re incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, yet they look elegant enough for holiday cookie trays, gift boxes, and cookie exchanges. If you’re looking for a classic Christmas cookie that’s both effortless and guaranteed to impress, this is the recipe you’ll come back to year after year.
Recipe Highlights
- Snowball-Worthy Appearance: These cookies are coated in powdered sugar while still warm, creating a beautiful snowy finish that makes them perfect for cookie trays and festive gift boxes.
- Buttery Pecan Flavor: Finely chopped pecans add a delicate nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the rich butter, warm cinnamon, and vanilla for a classic melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
- Simple Yet Elegant: Made with just a handful of pantry staples, these cookies come together quickly but have a timeless, bakery-style look and flavor that’s always a hit during the holidays.
Danish Wedding Cookies Ingredients
Flour: 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour forms the base of the dough.
Cinnamon: Just ⅛ teaspoon adds a subtle touch of warmth.
Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) of softened butter gives the cookies their rich, tender texture.
Pecans: ½ cup of finely chopped pecans adds a delicious nutty flavor and light crunch.
Powdered Sugar: ½ cup is mixed into the dough, plus extra for rolling the warm cookies.
Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon enhances the buttery flavor. For the best results, use a good quality vanilla extract or Vanilla Bean Paste. I’ve linked my favorites!
Tips for making Danish Wedding Cookies
Full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips for making the baking process easier!
- Chop the pecans very finely. Smaller pieces blend evenly into the dough, giving every bite a buttery, nutty flavor while helping the cookies hold together.
- Flatten the dough balls slightly before baking. These cookies don’t spread much in the oven, so a gentle press helps them bake evenly and creates the perfect snowball shape.
- Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm. The first coating melts slightly into the cookie, creating a sweet base that helps additional powdered sugar stick even better after they’ve cooled.
How to store Danish wedding cookies
These cookies can be kept stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in a container in the fridge for up to a week.
You can even choose to freeze them for up to 2 months if you want a longer storage solution. I recommend letting the cookies come to room temperature after being in the fridge or freezer and then rolling in an additional coating of powdered sugar for a fresher appearance.
What nuts can I use for wedding cookies?
While pecans are normally the stars of the show in these cookies, you can just as easily swap them out for walnuts, hazelnuts, or even almonds. I recommend running the nuts (whichever kind you choose to use) Through a food processor to get them as small as possible for the dough.
Why are my Danish wedding cookies falling apart?
These cookies have a delicate shortbread-like texture, but they should still hold together. Make sure your butter is softened (not melted) and that the pecans are chopped finely enough to help the dough bind.
Do I have to roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?
For the best snowball-like appearance and sweetness, yes! Rolling them while warm helps the first layer stick, and a second coating after they cool creates that classic powdered sugar finish.
Check out these other great holiday cookie recipes
- Christmas Brownie M&M Cookies combine brownie mix, chocolate chips, and colorful M&Ms to create an easy, festive treat that adds a fun pop of color to any holiday cookie tray.
- Filled with cozy fall flavors, Pumpkin Gingersnap Cookies combine pumpkin, warm spices, and a soft, tender texture. They’re easy to make and will make your kitchen smell incredible as they bake.
- These Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Cookie Cups bring together two classic desserts in one irresistible bite. Cinnamon-sugar cookie dough is baked into little cups and filled with sweet apple pie flavor for the ultimate cozy holiday treat.
- Perfect for hot cocoa lovers, Swiss Miss Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars turn your favorite winter drink into a chewy holiday dessert with hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, and gooey marshmallows.
- Our Frosted Peppermint Cookies are packed with festive flavor thanks to sweet peppermint candy and fluffy peppermint-vanilla buttercream. Finished with crushed candy canes, these cookies are like a bite of Christmas magic.
These homemade Danish wedding cookies are a simple and easy-to-make cookie recipe you’ll impress everyone with year after year.
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