Easy Cherry Pistachio Snowballs Recipe: Sweet Winter Magic

Sweet winter memories dance through this cherry pistachio snowballs creation, promising delightful moments of pure indulgence.

Clusters of soft, powdery confections bring unexpected twists to traditional holiday treats.

Nutty pistachios and vibrant cherries merge in a delectable symphony of flavors that surprise and charm.

Crumbly textures melt effortlessly, revealing layers of complex taste sensations.

Crafting these delicate spheres requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum culinary satisfaction.

You can easily transform simple ingredients into elegant dessert bites that sparkle with festive magic.

One bite transports you to a world of cozy comfort and delightful imagination.

Pro Tips for Nutty, Buttery, Fruity Flavor

• Prevent Sticky Dough: Wet your fingers slightly with cold water when rolling the balls to stop the mixture from clinging to your hands, ensuring smooth and easy shaping.
• Customize Texture: Experiment with chopping pistachios in different sizes- some fine pieces and some chunky bits- to create an interesting and varied mouthfeel in each bite.
• Control Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of powdered sugar coating based on personal preference; less sugar creates a more pronounced fruit and nut flavor, while more sugar adds a classic snowball appearance.
• Make Ahead Friendly: These snowballs can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making them perfect for meal prep or holiday entertaining.
• Dietary Modifications: Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream for a dairy-free version, or use alternative nuts like almonds if pistachios are unavailable.

Best Storage Tips for Snowballs That Stay Soft

• Store snowballs in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
• Carefully place snowballs in a freezer-safe container, keeping them separated. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• These cookies are best enjoyed chilled, so avoid microwaving. Let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance their creamy texture.
• If powdered sugar looks dull after storage, gently roll snowballs in fresh powdered sugar just before serving to restore their beautiful snowy appearance.

Pair These Snowballs with Your Favorite Drinks

• Select a light, fruity Moscato with hints of peach and apricot that complement the cherry's sweetness and balance the nutty pistachio flavor.
• Brew a smooth, medium-roast Colombian coffee that offers gentle caramel undertones, enhancing the snowballs' richness without overpowering their delicate taste.
• Prepare a warm chai latte featuring subtle spices and creamy vanilla, which will beautifully highlight the coconut and provide a luxurious drinking experience alongside the cookies.
• Brew a gentle chamomile or lavender tea that echoes the dessert's light, refreshing profile and provides a soothing counterpoint to the snowballs' sweet intensity.

Holiday Flavor Swaps for Cherry Pistachio Snowballs

• Gluten-Free Cherry Pistachio Snowballs: Replace regular powdered sugar with gluten-free powdered sugar and use gluten-free vanilla extract to create a celiac-friendly version of the treat.
• Vegan Cherry Pistachio Snowballs: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk or a plant-based alternative like cashew cream to make a dairy-free option that maintains the creamy texture.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Pistachio Snowballs: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional powdered sugar and choose a sugar-free condensed milk substitute to reduce overall sugar content while preserving the delightful flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Alternative Snowballs: Swap pistachios with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delectable dessert without compromising taste and texture.

What Makes Cherry Pistachio Snowballs Festive

• Gather just a few simple pantry staples like dried cherries, pistachios, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar to create these irresistible treats.
• These snowballs are a crowd-favorite dessert that looks elegant but takes almost no effort to prepare, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or casual get-togethers.
• Prepare these treats in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, ensuring you always have a delicious sweet treat ready to serve at a moment's notice.

Ingredients That Give These Cookies a Holiday Vibe

• Dried Cherries: Sweet and tangy fruit that adds a burst of flavor and chewy texture.
• Pistachios: Nutty and crunchy ingredient that provides a rich, earthy taste and interesting texture.
• Shredded Coconut: Optional ingredient that adds tropical sweetness and a soft, flaky element.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy binding agent that holds the ingredients together and adds rich sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavoring that enhances the overall taste profile of the snowballs.

• Powdered Sugar: Soft, fine sugar that creates a snow-like appearance and adds a delicate sweet finish to the cookies.

How to Bake Cherry Pistachio Snowballs to Perfection

Step 1: Chop Cherries and Pistachios

Break dried cherries into tiny fragments. Crush pistachios into varied sizes, keeping some chunky pieces for delightful texture.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine chopped cherries, pistachios, shredded coconut, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until ingredients blend seamlessly.

Step 3: Create Sticky Dough

Gently pour sweetened condensed milk into the mixture. Blend ingredients until they transform into a cohesive, sticky dough that holds shape easily.

Step 4: Shape Snowball Treats

Mold the dough into bite-sized spheres using your palms. Each ball should be roughly one inch wide. Dampen fingertips if dough becomes clingy.

Step 5: Dust with Powdered Sugar

Place powdered sugar in a wide dish. Roll each dough ball completely, ensuring a smooth, snowy white coating covers the entire surface.

Step 6: Chill and Solidify

Transfer sugar-coated treats onto a parchment-lined tray. Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes, allowing snowballs to firm up and develop rich flavors.

Step 7: Serve and Store

Remove chilled snowballs from refrigerator. Arrange on serving plate and enjoy immediately. Store remaining treats in sealed container for up to one week.

Cherry Pistachio Snowballs Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive holiday cherry pistachio snowballs melt with sweet nostalgia and delicate charm. Delightful cookies crumble like winter’s gentle whisper, inviting you to savor each buttery, nutty bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 grams)
• ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
• ½ cup finely chopped pistachios

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Finely dice the dried cherries into uniform, small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the dough and enhance the overall flavor profile.
2. Roughly chop the pistachios, keeping some larger fragments to create textural contrast in the final confection, which will provide delightful crunch and visual interest.
3. In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate the chopped cherries, pistachios, shredded coconut, and vanilla extract, thoroughly blending until ingredients are evenly dispersed.
4. Gradually introduce sweetened condensed milk into the mixture, stirring meticulously until a cohesive, malleable dough forms that maintains structural integrity when shaped.
5. Utilizing clean hands, craft compact spheres approximately one inch in diameter, moistening fingertips slightly if the mixture proves excessively adhesive to prevent sticking.
6. Delicately envelop each formed orb in a generous coating of powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage to achieve a pristine, frost-like exterior reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.
7. Arrange the sugar-dusted confections on a parchment-lined tray, then refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to solidify their shape and enhance flavor melding.
8. Once chilled, transfer the Cherry Pistachio Snowballs to an hermetic container, where they will remain delectable for up to seven days, perfect for advance preparation and impromptu indulgence.

Notes

• Prep the cherries and pistachios carefully to ensure even distribution of flavors throughout the snowballs.
• Use a light touch when rolling the balls to keep them delicate and prevent them from becoming too dense.
• For a gluten-free version, double-check that all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially the sweetened condensed milk.
• Experiment with alternative coatings like finely ground coconut or crushed nuts for a unique twist on the classic powdered sugar coating.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg