Snowball Cookies Recipe
This Snowball Cookies recipe offers a delightful treat, perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cozy snack with your favorite beverage. These cookies, known for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and nutty flavor, are coated in powdered sugar, resembling little snowballs. They are easy to make and are sure to be a hit with friends and family.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop (optional for consistent size)
- Wire rack (for cooling)
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar plus extra for coating
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and ½ cup of powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture, stirring until well combined.
- Fold in Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Take small amounts of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are just set but not brown.
- First Sugar Coating: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. While still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar.
- Cool and Second Coating: Let the cookies cool completely. Once cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar to ensure a generous, snowy coating.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your snowball cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as a delightful treat at any gathering or enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee.
Storage:
- Store the snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies or the dough balls as per the instructions provided in the previous sections.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the nuts or use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- The cookies can be flavored with lemon or orange zest for a citrusy twist.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping.