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Keto Christmas Cookies with Almond Flour | Snowball Cookies

Editorial note. This is a restrictive eating pattern that is not appropriate for everyone. Do not follow it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, have a history of eating disorders, are underweight, or take medication for blood sugar, blood pressure, or thyroid function without first speaking with your clinician. Medically reviewed by Franco Cuevas, MD.

Keto Christmas Cookies with Almond Flour: Snowball Cookies, 40 Balls

These snowball-shaped keto Christmas cookies use almond flour and powdered erythritol for a low-carb version of the classic Russian tea cake. Each ball runs about 55 calories with under 1 gram of net carbs and 1.5 grams of protein. The recipe yields 40 cookies from one batch, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday gift boxes, and Christmas dessert tables where family members follow different eating plans. They hold their round shape beautifully, roll cleanly in a snowy coat of powdered sweetener, and taste like buttery, nutty shortbread with no sugar spike.

What Makes This Version Work

The dough is essentially a keto version of shortbread: butter, almond flour, powdered sweetener, vanilla, and a pinch of salt with finely chopped pecans folded through. Butter must be softened to room temperature, not melted; melted butter changes the fat structure and the cookies spread flat instead of holding a round ball shape. Powdered erythritol is critical for both the dough and the coating; granular erythritol leaves a gritty texture in a no-liquid dough. Chill the shaped balls on the pan for 15 minutes before baking. This second chill locks the fat and prevents any spread, giving you perfect spheres. Bake at 325 F for 12 to 14 minutes just until the bottoms are golden. Cool 5 minutes on the pan, then roll in powdered sweetener while still warm; a second roll after fully cooled gives you the deep snowy coat.

Keto Christmas cookies

Keto Christmas cookies with almond flour recipe

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Yield: 40

Keto Christmas Cookies Recipe

Keto Christmas cookies
5.0 Stars (1 Review)

Here's a big bowl of keto Christmas cookies made with almond flour for the whole family. We're confident that you won't forget the amazing taste they offer.

This dessert, sure to brighten up your holiday, contains very low calories and carbs, yet it's more than enough to satisfy your sweet cravings.

If you have too many cookies, you can store them in the freezer for a long time. For more accessible storage, they can last up to 1 week at room temperature.

Even if you discover this recipe at the last minute, you can quickly make these cookies and serve them. Enjoy!

Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups almond flour
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • ½ cup confectioners swerve
  • 1 stick salted butter
  • 1 cup of walnuts
  • 1 tbsp. coconut flour
  • ⅔ cup confectioners swerve for topping
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. First, preheat the oven, as you would for all cookies, cakes, and baked meals. Set the temperature to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Next, prepare your food processor. Place your walnuts inside and pulse until they crumble. Continue processing until the walnuts become extra fine. Tip: If walnuts aren't to your liking, feel free to use pecans instead.
  3. Take a mixing bowl and add butter to it. Tip: Opt for a glass bowl instead of a plastic one to avoid any impact on the flavor of your cookies. Do not melt the butter, but ensure it is left out to soften rather than kept in the fridge.
  4. Sprinkle half a cup of confectioners' swerve over the butter and mix with a hand mixer until you achieve a perfect cream. Remember, we'll use the rest of the swerve for dipping the cookies in the final steps.
  5. Incorporate the chopped walnuts into the creamed mixture. Then, add almond flour, coconut flour, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix well with a spatula or spoon until combined, forming a dough that is not too hard.
  6. Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
  7. After chilling, shape the dough into balls about the size of half a golf ball, making 40 balls in total. Place these balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Chill in the fridge again for another 15 minutes.
  8. Bake the chilled snowballs in the preheated oven for only 10-12 minutes. Important: Keep a close eye on them during this step. Bake until the tops are just golden brown to ensure a soft, fluffy cookie. Be careful not to overbake.
  9. After baking, allow the cookies to cool slightly on the tray. Tip: Do not move them immediately.
  10. Prepare a small, deep mixing bowl and pour the remaining confectioners' swerve into it. While the cookies are still warm, dip each one into the confectioners' swerve, ensuring the powdered sweetener coats every part of the cookie.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving Calories 250Total Fat 24gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 24mgSodium 88mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 3gSugar 1gProtein 5g

The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on the ingredients and cooking methods used in this recipe. Actual nutritional content may vary depending on the brands of ingredients and portion sizes. Please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Tips and Variations

Use a small cookie scoop (2 teaspoons) for uniform size and neat spheres. Roll each scoop briefly between your palms to smooth the surface. For the classic pecan snowball, use finely chopped pecans; walnut or hazelnut work equally well and change the flavor profile subtly. For a chocolate keto snowball, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough and reduce almond flour by 2 tablespoons. Almond-cherry version: fold in 1/4 cup finely chopped sugar-free dried cherries and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Dairy-free bakers can swap butter for a firm vegan butter alternative like Miyoko’s; softer vegan butters make the dough too loose. For extra festive presentation, add a drop of natural food coloring to a small batch of powdered coating for pink or green snowballs. Store the coating separately and re-dust cookies before serving; the sweetener absorbs into the butter over time and loses its bright white look.

Storage and Reheating

Store fully coated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days. The powdered coating will absorb slightly over time; refresh with a light dust of powdered erythritol before serving. Layer with parchment to prevent the powder from clumping. Freeze uncoated cookies for up to 3 months in a zip bag; thaw at room temperature for 20 minutes and roll in the powdered coating fresh. These are meant to be eaten at room temperature; no reheating needed.

Current Version
August 8, 2026
Edited By
Damla Sengul
August 1, 2026
Edited By
Damla Sengul
Medically Reviewed By
Franco Cuevas, MD
  1. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Diet Review: Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss. Source
  2. Mayo Clinic. Is the keto diet safe? What are the risks? Source
  3. Cleveland Clinic. What is the keto diet? Source
  4. Bueno NB, et al. Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: meta-analysis. Br J Nutr. 2013. Source
  5. USDA FoodData Central. Source
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