Sweet Cloud Delights: Heavenly Snowball Cookies Recipe

When winter’s chill settles in, nothing warms the heart quite like a batch of classic snowball cookies that melt in your mouth with buttery, nutty goodness.

These delicate, powdery treats bring a touch of magic to any holiday gathering or cozy afternoon.

Each delicate cookie is rolled generously in powdered sugar, creating a soft, cloud-like exterior that crumbles with delightful sweetness.

Pecans add a rich, toasted dimension to the tender dough, making every bite a delectable experience.

Crafted with simple ingredients and minimal effort, these cookies transform ordinary moments into something special.

You’ll want to savor these melt-in-your-mouth delights slowly, letting the sweet, nutty flavor dance across your palate.

With just a few simple steps, you can create a batch of these irresistible snowball cookies that are sure to become a cherished winter tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

Snowball Cookie Ingredient List

• Softened Butter: Provides richness and helps bind ingredients smoothly, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate sweetness and helps achieve the signature soft texture, look for fine-ground sugar for smooth blending.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aroma and depth, use pure vanilla for authentic taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives cookies their classic structure, sift to prevent lumps and ensure even mixing.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Chopped Nuts (Optional): Introduces delightful crunch and nutty complexity, pecans or walnuts work wonderfully, toast nuts beforehand for intensified flavor.
• Powdered Sugar (For Coating): Creates signature snowy appearance, use fresh, finely ground sugar for smooth, even coating.

Tools That Help Shape Snowball Cookies Neatly

• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to a light, fluffy texture quickly.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and mixing the cookie dough smoothly.
• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Cookie scoop or hands: Helps create uniform, small cookie balls for consistent baking.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Bake Classic Snowball Cookies at Home

• Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper to keep those delicate treats from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

• Whip Up the Base

Grab your mixer and blend butter and powdered sugar until the mixture looks light and airy. This is where the begins – aim for a fluffy texture that’ll make your cookies melt in your mouth.

• Mix in the Flavor

Pour in some vanilla and a tiny pinch of salt. Slowly fold in flour until everything comes together smoothly. If you’re feeling nutty, toss in some chopped nuts for extra crunch.

• Create Cookie Gems

Roll the dough into tiny balls using your hands or a cookie scoop. Think golf ball size, but smaller. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet with a little breathing room between each one.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven and let them bake for 12-15 minutes. Look for golden edges but keep the centers soft. The moment they look just right, pull them out and let them rest for a quick 5 minutes.

• Sugar Shower

While the cookies are still warm, give them a luxurious roll in powdered sugar. Go wild and coat them generously – this is what gives them that classic snowball look. Let them cool completely before serving up these delectable treats.

Tips to Get Snowball Cookies Light and Powdery

• Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Swap traditional pecans or walnuts with almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts for unique flavor profiles and added crunch.
• Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy the treat.
• Store cooled snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to one month without losing their delicate texture and powdery coating.
• Experiment with adding a touch of almond extract or orange zest to the dough for a subtle yet sophisticated flavor twist that elevates the classic recipe.

Serve These Cookies with Cocoa or Tea

• Sweet Tea Party Display: Arrange cookies beautifully on a delicate vintage serving platter with small teacups and linen napkins for an elegant afternoon gathering.
• Festive Holiday Gift: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red or green ribbons, perfect for Christmas or winter holiday gifting to friends and family.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside hot cocoa, chai tea, or espresso to complement the cookies' delicate sweetness and enhance the overall tasting experience.
• Winter Wonderland Presentation

Store Snowballs to Keep Them Tender and Sweet

• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Place a small piece of bread inside storage container to maintain cookie softness and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days before baking, storing covered in refrigerator. Remove dough 30 minutes prior to shaping and baking for best texture and consistency.

FAQs

• Why are they called Snowball Cookies?

These cookies get their name from their round shape and the generous coating of white powdered sugar that makes them look like small snowballs, resembling little white spheres similar to snowballs you’d see in winter.

• Can I make these cookies without nuts?

Absolutely! While nuts are traditional, you can easily omit them or substitute with other ingredients like mini chocolate chips or leave the cookies plain without any additional mix-ins.

• How do I prevent the cookies from crumbling?

The key is to roll the cookies while they’re still slightly warm and handle them gently. Let them cool for just a few minutes on the baking sheet before carefully coating them in powdered sugar to maintain their structure.

• What type of nuts work best in this recipe?

Pecans and walnuts are the most traditional choices. They add a rich, nutty flavor that complements the sweet, buttery cookie base. Chopped almonds can also work well if you prefer a different nut variety.

Heavenly Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Mexican wedding cookies offer a delightful snowball experience with powdered sugar-coated almond shortbread. Crumbly, buttery treats melt in your mouth, providing a sweet glimpse of holiday cheer.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120 g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie release and cleanup.
2. Butter Mixture: Cream softened butter and powdered sugar using electric mixer until fluffy and light, incorporating vanilla extract and salt for enhanced flavor profile.
3. Dough Formation: Gradually fold flour into butter mixture, gently integrating chopped nuts to create a uniform, cohesive dough without overmixing.
4. Cookie Shaping: Mold consistent 1-inch dough spheres using hands or cookie scoop, ensuring uniform size for even baking performance.
5. Baking Process: Arrange cookie balls on prepared sheet with minimal spacing, then bake in preheated oven until edges turn delicately golden, approximately 12-15 minutes.
6. Cooling and Coating: Rest cookies briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to wire rack and while still warm, generously dust with powdered sugar to create a pristine, snow-like exterior.
7. Final Presentation: Allow cookies to cool completely, permitting powdered sugar coating to set and achieving optimal texture before serving or storing.

Notes

• Prevent Crumbly Texture: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature, not melted, to maintain cookie structure and smooth mixing.
• Master Uniform Sizing: Use a cookie scoop or consistent hand-rolling technique to create evenly sized balls, promoting uniform baking and professional appearance.
• Control Sugar Coating: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar first, then re-coat once cooled for a thicker, more elegant snow-like finish that adheres better.
• Customize Nut Options: Swap traditional nuts with alternatives like pecans or almonds for different flavor profiles, or omit entirely for nut-free dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 0.1 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg