Indulge in the timeless charm of these Classic Snowball Cookies, a delightful treat that promises to melt in your mouth with every buttery bite. Perfectly sweet and elegantly simple, these irresistible powdered sugar cookies are an essential addition to any holiday celebration, festive gathering, or simply as a comforting homemade dessert.
Beyond the festive allure of traditional sugar cookies and intricately spiced gingerbread men, these Snowball Cookies offer a unique texture and flavor profile that makes them exceptionally enjoyable to bake and share. Their understated elegance and rich, nutty flavor, all encased in a snowy powdered sugar coating, make them an instant favorite year after year. Whether you know them as Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, or Butterballs, their charm is universally recognized.
Discover the Magic of Classic Snowball Cookies
These petite, round, and delicately crumbly cookies are more than just a holiday staple; they are a celebration of simplicity and rich flavor. Their distinctive appearance, resembling freshly fallen snow, makes them an eye-catching and much-loved element on any dessert platter. The beauty of these butter cookies lies in their straightforward recipe, which typically calls for just a few essential ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour, often enriched with finely chopped nuts and a hint of vanilla.
Unlike many other cookie varieties, Snowball Cookies contain no leavening agents such as baking powder or baking soda. This intentional omission ensures they retain their perfectly round, compact shape during baking, rather than spreading out. The result is a dense, yet incredibly tender shortbread-like texture that truly melts away on your tongue, leaving behind a delightful buttery sweetness. This classic version is incredibly versatile, allowing for variations with or without nuts, and easily adaptable with different flavor extracts to suit your preference.
The secret to their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture lies in the high butter content and the fine coating of powdered sugar. The rich butter ensures a tender crumb, while the powdered sugar exterior provides an initial burst of sweetness that beautifully complements the delicate cookie underneath. These aren’t just cookies; they’re tiny moments of joy, perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring with a warm cup of tea or coffee.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Snowball Cookies
Crafting these delectable holiday snowball cookies requires a concise list of readily available ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving their iconic flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough. Ensure it’s measured accurately, preferably by weight or by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off, rather than scooping, to prevent a dense cookie.
- Chopped Nuts: Traditionally, pecans or walnuts are used, adding a wonderful depth of flavor and a slight textural contrast. However, feel free to experiment with almonds or pistachios, or omit them entirely for a nut-free version.
- Granulated Sugar: Used in the dough to provide sweetness and help create that tender, crumbly texture.
- Unsalted Butter: The star of these buttery cookies! It needs to be softened to room temperature for proper creaming, which is crucial for the cookie’s final texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the cookies.
- Vanilla or Almond Extract: These extracts enhance the overall flavor profile. Vanilla extract offers a classic, warm note, while almond extract provides a more distinct, marzipan-like aroma that pairs wonderfully with nuts.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this is essential for coating the baked and cooled cookies, giving them their characteristic “snowball” appearance and a delicate sweetness.
Gathering your ingredients and ensuring they are at the correct temperature (especially the butter) is the first step towards achieving snowball cookie perfection. This simple list belies the depth of flavor these small treats deliver.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Irresistible Snowball Cookies
Creating these delightful powdered sugar cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these easy steps to achieve perfectly tender and sweet snowball cookies:
- Cream the Butter: Begin by placing your softened unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the butter for about 30 seconds until it’s smooth and light. This initial step ensures a uniform base for your cookie dough.
- Add Sugar and Cream: Incorporate the granulated sugar into the creamed butter. Continue to cream the mixture for a full 3 minutes. This extended creaming time is crucial as it whips air into the butter and sugar, making the mixture light and fluffy, which contributes to the cookies’ delicate texture.
- Flavor Infusion: Stir in your chosen extract, whether it’s pure vanilla extract for a classic taste or almond extract for a more pronounced nutty aroma. Mix until just combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the chopped nuts and all-purpose flour to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed or by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon until the flour is just incorporated and a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be dense and somewhat crumbly, but should hold together when pressed.
- Chill the Dough: Once your dough is ready, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period is vital as it helps the butter firm up, making the dough much easier to handle and roll into uniform balls. It also prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Roll and Arrange: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Scoop out approximately 1 tablespoon of the chilled dough for each cookie and roll it tightly into a smooth ball. Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each to allow for slight expansion.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden. The cookies should still appear pale in the center. Avoid over-baking to maintain their tender texture.
- Cool and Coat: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial! They must be *completely cool* before rolling them in powdered sugar. If the cookies are warm, the powdered sugar will melt, creating a glaze rather than a fluffy, snowy coating. Once cool, place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and gently roll each cookie until thoroughly coated. For an extra thick, snowy layer, you can roll them a second time once the first coating has set slightly.
Customizing Your Snowball Cookies: Nut-Free Options and Flavor Variations
One of the best aspects of these classic snowball cookies is their adaptability. While traditionally made with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, it’s easy to create a delicious version tailored to specific tastes or dietary needs.
Can I make these cookies without nuts?
Absolutely! If you or your guests have nut allergies, or if you simply prefer a nut-free cookie, you can easily omit the chopped nuts from the recipe. The cookies will still retain their wonderful buttery, crumbly texture and delightful flavor. For an added textural element without nuts, consider folding in:
- Chopped Chocolate: Mini chocolate chips or finely chopped baking chocolate can add a rich, decadent twist.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Perfect for the holiday season, these add a refreshing peppermint flavor and a festive touch.
- Shredded Coconut: For a tropical twist and chewy texture.
- Dried Fruit: Finely diced dried cranberries or cherries can add bursts of fruity flavor and color.
Beyond nut variations, you can also experiment with flavor extracts. Try lemon zest for a bright, citrusy cookie, or a hint of rum extract for a sophisticated touch. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to personalize these classic treats to your heart’s content.
Pro Tips for Snowball Cookie Perfection
Achieving the ideal melt-in-your-mouth cookies every time is easy with a few key tips and tricks:
- Butter Temperature is Key: Ensure your unsalted butter is genuinely softened to room temperature. It should be pliable enough to leave an indentation when gently pressed but not so soft that it’s greasy or melted. Properly softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light, airy base for your dough. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and overly warm butter can lead to greasy, flat cookies.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: Flour is the structural component. For the most accurate measurement, spoon the all-purpose flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag. Better yet, use a kitchen scale for precise weight measurement. Sifting or fluffing the flour before measuring can also make a difference.
- Thorough Dough Mixing (But Don’t Overmix): Make sure the flour and nuts are completely incorporated into the butter mixture. If the dough is too crumbly and difficult to roll, it might be because the dry ingredients haven’t been fully absorbed. However, once combined, stop mixing to avoid developing the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough cookies. A thick dough is normal for snowball cookies.
- Chill for Success: Don’t skip the dough chilling step! Chilling for 30 minutes firms up the butter, making the dough much easier to handle and roll into smooth balls. It also helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven, ensuring those perfectly round “snowballs.”
- Cool Completely Before Coating: This is a critical step for their signature appearance. You must cool the cookies completely on a wire rack before attempting to roll them in powdered sugar. If the cookies are even slightly warm, the powdered sugar will absorb moisture and melt, turning into a sticky glaze instead of the delicate, snowy coating we all love. For an extra thick coating, you can roll them a second time once the first layer of sugar has set.
- Nut Preparation: If using nuts, finely chop them. I prefer to process them briefly in a mini food processor. This ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the dough and prevents large, unwieldy chunks in the finished cookies, contributing to that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Creative Flavor Twists: Beyond skipping nuts, get creative with other add-ins. Consider a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth, lemon or orange zest for a bright note, or even a tiny amount of cocoa powder for chocolate snowball cookies.
Storage & Freezing for Freshness
Snowball cookies are excellent make-ahead treats, perfect for busy holiday seasons. Proper storage ensures they remain fresh and delicious.
- At Room Temperature: Once fully cooled and coated in powdered sugar, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Placing parchment paper between layers can help prevent sticking and preserve their delicate coating.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! After cooling and coating, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. You might want to give them an extra roll in powdered sugar after thawing for a fresh “snowy” look.
- Freezing Unbaked Dough: You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Roll the dough into balls as instructed, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen (they might need a few extra minutes in the oven) or let them thaw slightly in the refrigerator before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snowball Cookies
Here are answers to some common questions about making and enjoying these delightful cookies:
Q: What gives Snowball Cookies their unique texture?
A: Their melt-in-your-mouth texture comes from a high butter-to-flour ratio and the absence of leavening agents, which results in a dense, tender, shortbread-like crumb. The powdered sugar coating adds to this delicate experience.
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: While unsalted butter is preferred for controlling salt content, you can use salted butter. If you do, consider reducing any additional salt in the recipe by about ¼ teaspoon. However, for best results and flavor control, unsalted butter is recommended.
Q: Why did my powdered sugar coating melt?
A: This usually happens if the cookies are rolled in powdered sugar while they are still warm. The heat from the cookies melts the sugar. Always ensure your cookies are completely cool before coating them for that perfect snowy finish.
Q: How can I make my snowball cookies perfectly round?
A: Chilling the dough is key! This makes the dough firmer and easier to roll into smooth, uniform balls. You can also use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon size) for consistent portions before rolling by hand.
Q: Are Snowball Cookies suitable for shipping as gifts?
A: Yes, they are! Their sturdy, non-spreading nature makes them good candidates for shipping. Pack them tightly in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper to protect their powdered sugar coating.
More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Explore
If you love baking and enjoying a variety of cookies, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes from our collection:
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies: A classic combination of soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss.
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: Rich, fudgy, red velvet cookies with a beautiful crackled powdered sugar coating.
- Christmas M&M Cookies: Festive and fun soft & chewy chocolate chip cookies with colorful M&M’s.
- Cream Cheese Cookies: Tender and slightly tangy cookies, perfect for any occasion.
For even more delightful sweet treats and dessert ideas, feel free to browse our comprehensive Dessert category.
If you try this delightful Classic Snowball Cookie recipe and love it as much as we do, we’d be thrilled to see your creations! Snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Don’t forget to tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can admire your beautiful baking and leave a comment! Your feedback and photos truly make our day.
Classic Snowball Cookies
Anna
★★★★★
Pin Recipe
15
18
30
1 3
Dessert
American
24 cookies
158 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts, see note for nut-free options)
- 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the 1 cup unsalted butter with a hand mixer for 30 seconds until smooth.
- Add the ¼ cup granulated sugar and continue to cream for 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Stir in the 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the ¾ cup chopped nuts and 2 cups all-purpose flour to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed or use a sturdy wooden spoon to incorporate the dry ingredients until a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Preheat your oven to 325° F (160° C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the chilled dough and roll it into smooth, compact balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden and the centers still appear pale. Avoid over-baking.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, place the 1 cup powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Gently roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until it’s thoroughly coated. For a thicker, snowier layer, you can roll them a second time after the first coating has set slightly.
Notes
- Please note that the nutrition value can vary depending on the specific products you use. The information provided below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with for precise dietary planning.
- Cool cookies completely before rolling them in powdered sugar. Rolling them warm will cause the sugar to melt and create a glaze instead of the characteristic snowy coating.
- Feel free to use any nuts you prefer. For a finer texture and to avoid large chunks, I recommend processing them briefly in a mini food processor before adding them to the dough.
- For nut-free variations, simply omit the nuts or replace them with finely chopped chocolate, crushed candy canes, or shredded coconut.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 16g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 10g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Cholesterol: 20mg |
Sodium: 1mg |
Potassium: 30mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 7g |
Vitamin A: 236IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 7mg |
Iron: 1mg
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