If you are looking for a charming treat that brings comfort and joy with every bite, this Snowball Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delicate, buttery cookies dusted in powdered sugar resemble little winter snowballs, creating a perfect festive vibe any time of the year. With a tender crumb and a subtle nutty crunch, these cookies are wonderfully simple yet incredibly satisfying. They have a timeless appeal that delights both kids and adults alike, making them a go-to recipe for holiday baking, special celebrations, or even a cozy afternoon snack with tea or coffee.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Snowball Cookies Recipe calls for straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a truly irresistible dessert. Each component plays a key role, from the creamy butter that ensures softness to the nuts that add delightful texture.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Provides the rich, melt-in-your-mouth fat essential for tender cookies.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating): Sweetens the dough and makes the iconic snowy finish possible.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm depth of flavor that elevates the entire batch.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that holds the cookies together with a perfect crumb texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and highlights all the other flavors beautifully.
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts: Brings a subtle crunch and nuttiness that contrast the soft cookie.
How to Make Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep step ensures your cookies bake evenly and release easily from the pan.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a luscious base for the dough and helps make the cookies tender.
Step 3: Add Vanilla
Mix in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with that warm, familiar aroma that makes these cookies so comforting.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Gradually stir in the flour and salt, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Over-mixing can make the cookies tough, so gentle handling is the secret to that perfect crumb.
Step 5: Stir in Nuts
Fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts evenly for delightful little pockets of nutty crunch throughout every cookie.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls. Place them about an inch apart on your prepared baking sheet to give them room to bake without spreading too much.
Step 7: Bake Until Just Golden
Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes. Watch closely—the bottoms should become lightly golden while the tops remain pale. This ensures the cookies stay soft and crumbly.
Step 8: Coat in Powdered Sugar
After removing from the oven, let the cookies cool for 5 minutes to firm up slightly, then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm. Once cool, give them a second fluffy coating for that signature snowy look and sweet finishing touch.
How to Serve Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the classic powdered sugar coating steals the show, you can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder with the final dusting for a twist. A light drizzle of melted white chocolate also adds delightful decadence and glamor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a steaming cup of hot cocoa, freshly brewed coffee, or a fragrant herbal tea. Their buttery nutty flavor complements warm beverages beautifully, making for a cozy and satisfying snack break.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, arrange your snowball cookies in a festive tin with colorful parchment paper or stack them on a tiered dessert stand for a lovely centerpiece. Wrapping a small batch in transparent bags tied with ribbons makes an inviting homemade gift everyone will cherish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, store your snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh up to a week, maintaining their tender texture and snowy appearance.
Freezing
You can prepare the dough balls ahead of time and freeze them unbaked on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time for perfect results.
Reheating
Although these cookies are best enjoyed fresh, you can gently warm them in a low oven for a few minutes to soften and refresh the buttery goodness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them overly soft and lose that signature crumb.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nuts in this Snowball Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While pecans or walnuts are traditional, almonds or hazelnuts also work wonderfully and bring their unique flavor and crunch to the cookies.
Are Snowball Cookies Recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these cookies are vegetarian-friendly since they contain no animal products other than butter, which is acceptable in a vegetarian diet.
How do I prevent my snowball cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Ensuring your butter is softened but not melted and chilling the dough slightly before baking can help maintain the shape. Also, spacing the dough balls at least an inch apart allows room without merging.
Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?
You can freeze shaped dough balls and bake them straight from the freezer whenever convenient. This makes holiday prep and spontaneous cookie cravings much easier to manage!
What makes these snowball cookies so tender?
The combination of creamed butter with powdered sugar and the delicate balance of flour ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the powdered sugar coating adds a pleasant sweetness and visual appeal.
Final Thoughts
Trying this Snowball Cookies Recipe is like welcoming a little joy onto your kitchen counter. It is simple yet decadent, the kind of treat that brings smiles and warm memories with every bite. Whether you’re baking for holiday traditions or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to become a beloved favorite. So, grab your ingredients, invite your favorite people, and start making magic with these lovely snowball cookies!
Print
Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, nutty, and tender shortbread-like treats rolled generously in powdered sugar for a delicate, snowy finish. These traditional American holiday cookies, studded with finely chopped pecans or walnuts, are perfect for Christmas baking and celebrations. With a simple process of creaming, mixing, baking, and coating, they offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive appeal.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Mix in the vanilla extract thoroughly to infuse the dough with a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the creamed butter mixture, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Incorporate Nuts: Fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts evenly throughout the dough to add rich texture and flavor.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough by tablespoonfuls and roll each portion into smooth balls, then place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow even baking.
- Bake: Bake the dough balls in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale and soft.
- Cool and Coat: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat fully.
- Final Sugar Coating: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve the classic snowball appearance.
Notes
- You can substitute almonds or hazelnuts in place of pecans or walnuts to vary the nutty flavor and texture.
- For make-ahead convenience, freeze unbaked dough balls and bake them directly from frozen, adding an additional 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time.
