Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s bursting with bright citrus flavor and tropical vibes, you’ve got to try this Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe. I absolutely love how these tiny bites combine the zesty punch of orange with the comforting sweetness of coconut, all wrapped up in a crumbly, buttery cookie that’s so easy to make. Trust me, once you whip up a batch, your family and friends will be asking for more—these snowballs are downright addictive!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything in this Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe comes together in perfect harmony. The vanilla wafers create the base crumb texture, pecans add a toasty depth, and coconut brings that tropical feel. When you grab your ingredients, don’t stress about perfection—there’s wiggle room with substitutions that I’ll explain!

• Vanilla wafer cookies: These give a sweet and buttery crunch; I recommend finding the freshest box you can for best flavor.
• Pecans: Toasted pecans add a rich nuttiness—if you want, you can lightly toast them first for an extra oomph.
• Coconut flakes: Sweetened or unsweetened works—sweetened gives a little extra sugar, but unsweetened keeps it lighter.
• Powdered sugar: This helps bind everything and adds that fine sweetness that’s signature to these treats.
• Orange juice concentrate: Mostly thawed is key—this packs in the bold citrus punch that makes these snowballs sing.
• Vanilla extract: A splash softens the citrus edge and rounds out the flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing, this adds richness and helps the dough hold together.

Variations

I love playing around with this Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. It’s easy to make it your own and still get delicious results every time.

• Use almonds or walnuts: If pecans aren’t handy, I tried walnuts once, and they gave a wonderful earthiness that paired nicely.
• Switch up the citrus: Sometimes I swap orange concentrate for lemon or lime for a tart twist that’s refreshing.
• Try shredded coconut only: For extra coconut flavor, roll the snowballs in toasted shredded coconut instead of the chopped version.
• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer less sweet, cut back a bit on powdered sugar; if you want sweeter, add a bit more.

How to Make Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe

Step 1: Create the crumbly base

Start by pulsing the vanilla wafers in your food processor until they’re fine crumbs—this is the foundation of your snowballs, so getting the texture just right matters. Then, pulse the pecans separately into a fine crumb before combining them with the vanilla wafer crumbs. I like to pulse the coconut flakes coarsely and set them aside in a shallow dish for rolling later; this gives you a nice coconut coating without pulverizing the flakes.

Step 2: Mix the magic ingredients

Add powdered sugar, softened butter, orange juice concentrate, and vanilla extract to the pecan and wafer crumb mixture. Using a hand mixer makes this so much easier—I’ve found it blends everything evenly without overworking the dough. You want a consistency that holds together nicely but isn’t too wet or sticky. If yours feels too sticky, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before shaping.

Step 3: Scoop, shape, and roll

Grab a small cookie scoop (or use a tablespoon) to portion out your dough. Then use your hands to roll each portion into a ball. This is the fun part! Roll every ball thoroughly in the chopped coconut flakes you prepared earlier—it gives the snowballs that snowy, textured finish that’s irresistibly pretty. Place them on a cookie sheet and pop them in the fridge to chill until firm—usually about an hour.

Step 4: Store and enjoy

Once chilled, transfer your Orange Coconut Snowballs into an airtight container and keep them refrigerated. They hold up beautifully and taste fantastic cold—perfect little bites to grab whenever a craving hits.

How to Serve Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe

Garnishes

I like to add a light dusting of extra powdered sugar right before serving to give the snowballs that fresh, snowy look. Sometimes, I sprinkle a bit of finely grated orange zest on top for an eye-catching pop of color and an extra burst of citrus aroma. Toasted coconut flakes on the plate for dipping also add a nice crunch contrast.

Side Dishes

These snowballs are perfect with a hot cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee—especially a bright, fruity tea like hibiscus or green tea with lemon. For party spread, I like to serve them alongside other finger desserts like lemon bars or berry tarts to balance sweetness with tartness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try nestling Orange Coconut Snowballs into mini cupcake liners or pretty gift boxes as edible favors. Stack them in clear jars with layers of shredded coconut for a charming gift idea. I once arranged them on a dessert platter with fresh orange slices and mint leaves—it looked stunning and guests loved the fresh vibe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Orange Coconut Snowballs in an airtight container in the fridge, where they happily last up to two weeks. They’re so dense and moist that they don’t dry out quickly, which is a major plus when you want a quick snack without baking from scratch every time.

Freezing

If you want to make a big batch and save some for later, these freeze beautifully. I freeze the snowballs on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge overnight—they come back soft and flavorful without any weird texture changes.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake treats, reheating isn’t necessary. If you prefer them a bit softer, just let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving—they soften up nicely and release more of that orange aroma.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe is one I reach for whenever I want a bright and nostalgic treat without fussing over oven times or complicated steps. It reminds me of cozy afternoons with family, sharing sweets and stories. I hope you have as much fun making them as I do—and that they become a staple in your recipe box. Give them a try, and I promise you’ll love how easy and delicious they turn out!

Print