Oh, snowball cookies! These little gems are the epitome of holiday magic, with their rich, buttery flavor and that delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture. I can still remember the first time I made them with my grandma—her kitchen filled with the warm scent of baking and laughter. Every year, we’d roll the cookies in powdered sugar, and it was like dusting them with snowy dreams. Trust me, there’s something so comforting about these cookies; they’re perfect for sharing with loved ones or just enjoying with a warm cup of tea. You’ll absolutely adore making (and eating!) snowball cookies this season!
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Prepare Snowball Cookies
Making snowball cookies is a breeze, and I promise you’ll be amazed at how simple they are! Let’s get started with these delightful treats that will fill your home with warmth and sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and get that perfect golden bottom.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial—it’ll help your cookies have that melt-in-your-mouth texture!
- Next, mix in the vanilla extract. Oh, the aroma is heavenly!
- Add the all-purpose flour, chopped walnuts or pecans, and salt. Stir gently until everything is just combined. You don’t want to overmix, or your cookies might turn out tough.
- Now, it’s time to form the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. This part is so fun—just roll them between your palms!
- Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave some space between each cookie.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the bottoms to be lightly golden, but the tops should stay pale.
- Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly for a few minutes. While they’re still warm, roll them in powdered sugar for that signature snowy finish. Trust me, this is the best part!
Nutritional Information
Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so the figures provided here are not precise. To get the most accurate assessment, I encourage you to consider your own ingredients. Enjoy your snowball cookies guilt-free, knowing they’re a delightful treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for last-minute holiday baking.
- Rich, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth—absolutely irresistible!
- Festively rolled in powdered sugar, they look as delightful as they taste.
- Perfect for sharing at gatherings or gifting to loved ones.
- Versatile; you can customize the nuts or even add chocolate chips if you’re feeling adventurous!
Tips for Success
To really nail those snowball cookies, let’s make sure you get a few key things right! First, make sure your butter is truly softened, but not melted—this helps create that light, fluffy texture. When you’re mixing, be gentle to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to tough cookies. Keep an eye on the baking time; every oven is a bit different, so check them around the 15-minute mark. You want the bottoms to be golden but the tops to stay pale. And don’t skip the warm roll in powdered sugar—it makes them taste even more dreamy!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your snowball cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to a week! If you want to enjoy them warm again, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds—just enough to take the chill off. Enjoy!
FAQ Section
Got questions about snowball cookies? I’ve got answers! If you’re looking for nut substitutions, feel free to swap the walnuts or pecans for almonds or even leave them out altogether for a nut-free version. For dietary preferences, you can use vegan butter to make them dairy-free, and they’ll still be just as delicious! As for shelf life, these cookies are best enjoyed within a week when stored in an airtight container, but you can freeze them for up to three months if you want to save some for later. Trust me, they’re worth the wait!
Print
Snowball Cookies: 8 Irresistible Festive Bites to Love
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Snowball cookies are small, round cookies rolled in powdered sugar. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add the flour, chopped nuts, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Form the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- These cookies can be made ahead of time.
- Feel free to substitute different nuts as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: snowball cookies, buttery cookies, holiday cookies
