Name: Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 12oz box vanilla wafer cookies (see notes); 1 1/4 cup pecans; 2 cups coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened depending on your preference); 2 cups powdered sugar; 3/4 cup orange juice concentrate, mostly thawed (about 6 oz); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 stick unsalted butter, softened

If you’re on the hunt for a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s both refreshing and indulgent, you’ve got to try this Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe. I absolutely love how the bright citrus from the orange juice concentrate pairs with the sweet, toasty coconut — it’s like a tropical vacation in cookie form. These little snowballs are insanely easy to whip up and perfect for any holiday or weeknight dessert craving. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my best tips to help you get these just right!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Easy to Make: Just a handful of ingredients and a food processor do most of the work.
Burst of Bright Flavors: The orange juice concentrate adds a cheerful zing that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Perfect Make-Ahead Treats: They chill beautifully, so you can prep in advance for parties or gifts.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these snowballs every holiday season!

The image shows multiple round balls covered with white coconut flakes arranged on a light bamboo matt with parallel white strings running vertically. The balls have a beige base visible through the coconut flakes and are scattered evenly across the frame. There are small pecan nuts placed randomly around the balls, adding a brown color contrast to the scene. The overall look is clean with a natural, textured feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Orange Coconut Snowballs, tropical dessert, easy holiday treats, no-bake coconut balls, citrus coconut confections

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe calls for pantry staples that come together in a delicious way — vanilla wafers, pecans, and coconut flakes provide texture and flavor, while powdered sugar and orange juice concentrate add sweetness and a citrus punch. Be sure to grab the right type of coconut flakes depending on your preference for sweetened or unsweetened.

Flat lay of a small mound of golden vanilla wafer cookies, a handful of whole pecans, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white coconut flakes, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with bright orange thick orange juice concentrate, a few whole vanilla beans pod pieces, and a stick of soft unsalted butter on a white ceramic dish, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, 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 - Orange Coconut Snowballs, tropical dessert, easy holiday treats, no-bake coconut balls, citrus coconut confections

Vanilla wafer cookies: Look for a 12oz box; if only 11oz is available, I’ll share some easy fixes below.
Pecans: These add a lovely nutty crunch; toasted pecans work wonderfully if you have time.
Coconut flakes: You can use sweetened or unsweetened — both taste great but adjust your sugar accordingly.
Powdered sugar: Key for sweetness and to help bind the dough smoothly.
Orange juice concentrate: Mostly thawed, about 3/4 cup, this is the star for that fresh orange flavor.
Vanilla extract: Just a little enhances all the flavors and adds warmth.
Unsalted butter: Softened, helps bring a rich, creamy texture to the snowballs.

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.

Variations

I love how versatile this Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe can be. Once you have the basics down, you can easily tweak the flavors to suit your mood or dietary needs.

Nut-Free Variation: Swap pecans for sunflower seeds or just increase the coconut for a nut-free version my nephew enjoys.
Sweetened vs. Unsweetened Coconut: If you prefer less sugar, go with unsweetened coconut flakes and reduce the powdered sugar slightly.
Citrus Twist: I’ve tried adding a bit of lemon zest along with the orange for an extra layer of brightness.
Chocolate Drizzle: For a special treat, drizzle melted dark chocolate on top after chilling — so good!

How to Make Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe

Step 1: Grind the Vanilla Wafers and Pecans

Start by pulsing the vanilla wafers in your food processor until they become a very fine crumb. This is key because it helps your snowballs hold together well without being grainy. Transfer those crumbs to a large bowl. Next, pulse the pecans until finely chopped and add them in with the wafers. Don’t over-process the pecans — you still want some texture in the mix. Finally, pulse the coconut flakes just a few times so they’re coarsely chopped, and set them aside in a shallow dish for rolling later.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add the powdered sugar, mostly thawed orange juice concentrate, vanilla extract, and softened butter to your bowl with the wafers and pecans. Using a hand mixer, blend everything until it forms a cohesive dough. The texture will be somewhat sticky but still handleable. I usually mix on medium speed and scrape down the sides once or twice to make sure everything is incorporated evenly.

Step 3: Shape and Chill the Snowballs

Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out dough and roll it between your palms to form evenly sized balls. Then, roll each ball in the chopped coconut flakes you set aside earlier, pressing lightly so the flakes stick. Place the rolled snowballs onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the fridge to chill until firm — usually about an hour. This step helps them hold their shape and develop that lovely “snowball” texture that I love so much.

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Pro Tips for Making Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: I used to rush this step and ended up with uneven mixing—soft butter blends best for smooth dough.
Don’t Over-Pulse Nuts and Coconut: Keeping some texture helps the snowballs feel rustic and more interesting.
Chill Thoroughly: I’ve found chilling for at least an hour helps the snowballs hold their shape — no melty mess!
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If you use sweetened coconut, consider cutting back on powdered sugar slightly to avoid overpowering sweetness.

How to Serve Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe

The image shows a white bowl with a blue geometric pattern filled with round dessert balls covered in shredded white coconut. The balls have a light beige color underneath the coconut flakes. Outside the bowl, there are three similar coconut-covered balls placed on a beige bamboo mat, with small pieces of nuts scattered around. The texture of the balls is rough because of the coconut, and the bowl is centered on the mat with a few balls leaning on each other inside it. The background is a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Orange Coconut Snowballs, tropical dessert, easy holiday treats, no-bake coconut balls, citrus coconut confections

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic by rolling in coconut flakes, but sometimes I like to sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top right before serving for a pretty snowy effect. You can also toss in some finely grated orange zest for an extra fresh pop that guests always compliment.

Side Dishes

These snowballs are such a sweet treat that I love pairing them with a cup of hot tea or fresh coffee. For holiday gatherings, they’re delightful alongside a light fruit salad or a refreshing sorbet to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I arrange the snowballs on a tiered cake stand dusted with shredded coconut to mimic snow. Another fun idea is serving them in small mini cupcake liners for easy grabbing at parties. I even tried stacking them into little pyramids for a cute improv “snowball tower” centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your orange coconut snowballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find they keep their texture and flavor beautifully for up to a week — perfect if you want to make a batch ahead to enjoy throughout the week.

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing these snowballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferring to a freezer bag, so you can thaw just what you need. They freeze well for up to 3 months; just let them thaw in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

No need to reheat; these snowballs are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If they feel too firm after chilling, just leave them out for 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly.

FAQs

Can I use fresh orange juice instead of concentrate?

Fresh orange juice contains more liquid than concentrate, which can make the dough too wet and tricky to shape. I recommend sticking with mostly thawed concentrate for the best texture and flavor balance.
What can I do if I only find 11oz boxes of vanilla wafers?

Great question! I discovered a few options: add 2-3 sheets of graham crackers crushed up to make up the difference, increase the powdered sugar slightly (which adds sweetness, so adjust to your liking), or buy two boxes and save the extra wafers for banana pudding.
Can I make the dough by hand if I don’t have a food processor?

You can, but it’ll require more effort! Crush the wafers and pecans finely by placing them in a sealed bag and using a rolling pin. The coconut can be chopped by hand with a knife. Mixing by hand is fine but expect it to take longer to get a smooth dough.
Do these snowballs melt at room temperature?

Because these contain softened butter and orange concentrate, they hold up best chilled. At room temperature, especially in warm environments, they can soften too much. I suggest keeping them refrigerated until serving.

Final Thoughts

This Orange Coconut Snowballs Recipe quickly became a favorite in my household because it brings together simple ingredients into a dreamy, flavorful bite. I love how easy it is, how festive they look, and that I can make a big batch ahead of time. Whether you’re making them for a gathering, a gift, or just because, I bet you’ll be as hooked as I am. Go ahead, give the recipe a try — I promise you’ll have some new favorite snowballs in your dessert rotation!