There’s something so cozy and satisfying about bite-sized treats that combine rich chocolate with crunchy pecans and a hint of sweetness. The Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe is one of those little gems — perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a no-fuss, delicious snack that feels special.

A white plate holds eight round chocolate-covered balls, each topped with small red, green, and white sprinkles. One ball is cut in half and placed in front, showing a light brown inside with pieces of nuts. The chocolate coating is smooth and shiny, slightly melting at the bottom edges. The background has a white marbled texture with soft, out-of-focus silver decorations and a red ornament. Sprinkles are scattered lightly on the plate and surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these — they were a hit with everyone, and I loved how easy the recipe was to follow. The mix of maple syrup and almond extract makes each Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bite so flavorful without being overpowering. Plus, the chocolate coating just seals the deal for me.

Simple Prep: You don’t need fancy skills or equipment to get these treats right.
Rich Flavor Combo: Pecans, maple syrup, and chocolate together create a perfect harmony.
Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or toppings to match your taste or occasion.
Great for Gifting: These bites look cute and fancy enough to share as a homemade gift.

A white plate holds seven round chocolate-covered balls with a smooth, glossy dark chocolate layer topped with small chocolate sprinkles. One ball at the center is cut in half, showing a crumbly golden nutty filling inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface scattered with some chocolate sprinkles and pecans. Around the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with chocolate sprinkles and a glass jar filled with whole pecans. The overall look is neat and colorful with a mix of dark brown, golden, and white tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in the Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe serves a purpose — from texture to flavor to that beautiful, glossy chocolate coating. I always suggest using good quality ingredients because it makes a noticeable difference, especially with the maple syrup and extracts.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped pecans, a small white bowl of golden maple syrup, a small white bowl of light amber karo syrup, a small white bowl with golden melted butter, a small mound of light brown graham cracker crumbs on the clean white marble surface, a neat pile of rich brown packed brown sugar, a small white bowl with dark glossy chocolate melting discs, a few whole pecans, and a scattering of colorful holiday-themed sprinkles artfully arranged, 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

Pecans: Finely chopped for perfect bite-sized crunch and a buttery nutty base.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds light sweetness and a little crumbly texture that holds the bites together.
Brown Sugar: Balances nutty flavors with rich, caramel notes.
Maple Syrup: Use real maple syrup for depth and authentic sweetness.
Light Karo Syrup: Helps bind and adds shine to the mixture without crystallizing.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and enhances all the other flavors.
Almond Extract: A subtle, cozy flavor that elevates the pecan sweetness.
Rum Extract: Gives a warm depth without any alcohol, perfect for a festive touch.
Chocolate Melting Discs: I love using these because they melt smoothly and harden beautifully for a neat chocolate shell.
Holiday Themed Sprinkles (optional): Great for a festive look and a touch of fun texture on top.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I enjoy most about this Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe is how flexible it can be. I often tweak the extracts or add a pinch of sea salt on top after coating for a sweet-salty kick — you should try it!

Variation: I sometimes swap rum extract for vanilla or even orange extract, depending on the season, and it gives totally different but delicious results.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Chill the Filling

Start by combining your chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, Karo syrup, melted butter, and your extracts in a large bowl. I like to use a wooden spoon so I can really feel the texture as it comes together. Make sure everything’s evenly mixed, then cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least two hours (or overnight, if you’re prepping ahead). The chilling step is crucial because it allows the mixture to firm up, making the balls much easier to shape.

Step 2: Form Tight Pecan Balls

Once the filling is chilled, scoop out about 2-inch portions. Here’s a game-changer: wet your hands with warm water before rolling. This keeps the mixture from sticking to you and helps you form compact, smooth balls without cracks. Gently squeeze the mixture into tight balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This part can get sticky, but the warm water trick really helps!

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate

Use a medium bowl for melting your chocolate discs according to their package instructions. I always stir until the chocolate is silky smooth. Avoid overheating — melted chocolate is delicate, and a microwave with melt setting or heating in short bursts with stirring in between works best.

Step 4: Coat and Chill

Using a fork, dip one pecan ball at a time into the chocolate, rolling it gently so it gets fully coated but doesn’t fall apart. Lift it out carefully and set it back on the parchment paper. If you want to add sprinkles, do so quickly before the chocolate hardens. Once all are coated, pop the tray into the fridge uncovered for about 2 hours so the chocolate can firm up nicely.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned these key tips that make all the difference in nailing the Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe:

Wet Hands for Rolling: This helps you form smooth, tight balls without the mixture sticking and crumbling.
Chill Filling Long Enough: Don’t rush this step; a well-chilled mixture makes shaping so much easier.
Use Melting Discs or Almond Bark: They give the best smooth, shiny finish and harden up neatly — baking chocolate won’t work the same.
Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Heat in short intervals and stir often to avoid scorching or seizing your chocolate.

How to Serve Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe

Pecan Snowball Bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with holiday-themed sprinkles for that festive pop of color and subtle crunch. But sometimes, I dust the bites lightly with powdered sugar to mimic snowy perfection — either way, they look and taste incredible.

Side Dishes

These chocolate bites are sweet and nutty stars on their own but go wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee or a creamy chai latte. I've also served them alongside vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a decadent dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I like arranging them in mini cupcake liners, which makes serving and snacking a breeze. Another fun idea is to pack a few in clear gift boxes tied with ribbon — friends love receiving these homemade treats during the holidays!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep best in an uncovered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeping them uncovered prevents the chocolate shell from sweating or getting sticky, which I've found keeps the bites looking fresh and crisp.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before for last-minute treats — just arrange the chocolate-coated balls on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag. They thaw beautifully in the refrigerator, maintaining their texture and taste.

Reheating

Since these are best served cold, I usually just let them thaw in the fridge. If you want the chocolate a little softer, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave on low power helps without melting the whole thing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds can be used if you prefer. Just make sure to chop them finely to match the texture of the original recipe.

What if I don’t have almond or rum extract?

You can swap either for vanilla extract without losing much of the delicious flavor. The bites will still taste amazing. I often do this when I want a more neutral profile.

Can I make these without the Karo syrup?

Yes, you can omit the Karo syrup and simply increase the maple syrup a bit to maintain the binding and sweetness. Just be sure to use real maple syrup for the best flavor.

What’s the best chocolate to use for coating?

Chocolate melting discs or almond bark work best because they melt smoothly and harden with a nice glossy finish. Avoid baking chocolate squares, which aren’t designed for dipping and can seize up.

Final Thoughts

I really can’t recommend the Pecan Snowball Chocolate Bites Recipe enough — it’s simple but so full of flavor, and it always impresses with minimal effort. Whether you’re making these for yourself, a get-together, or to gift, each bite feels like a little celebration. So grab your ingredients, maybe a warm drink, and enjoy the process (and the treats) — you’re going to love this one as much as I do.