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Snowball Cookies Recipe

4.7 from 145 reviews

Delicious and buttery Snowball Cookies featuring a delicate crumb and a nutty crunch, perfect for festive occasions or an everyday treat. These cookies are tender, lightly golden, and coated in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour (white, spelt, whole wheat pastry, or gluten-free blend)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (or almonds or pecans, optional)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dough)
  • Additional powdered sugar for rolling (optional, can substitute with cocoa powder)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (or coconut oil)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the cookies evenly and gently.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl or stand mixer, combine the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Beat the mixture until it is creamy and well combined, ensuring a smooth base for your cookie dough.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and finely chopped nuts (if using). This step ensures even distribution of nuts throughout the dough.
  4. Combine All Ingredients: Gradually mix the flour and nut mixture into the creamed butter and sugar to form a cohesive dough. The dough should hold together well but remain soft.
  5. Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place them spaced apart on an ungreased cookie sheet to allow for slight expansion during baking.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned but the tops remain pale, indicating a delicate texture.
  7. Coat Cookies: While still warm, roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar (or cocoa powder) to form a snowy coating that enhances both flavor and appearance.
  8. Cool: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps the coating set and the cookies to firm up just right.

Notes

  • You may omit the nuts if preferred; the cookies will still be delicious but without the added crunch.
  • Substituting flours outside the recommended types or using low-fat butter spreads has not been tested, so proceed with caution if experimenting.
  • For a chocolate twist, consider rolling the cookies in cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar.
  • Ensure cookies are rolled while warm for best coating adherence.

Keywords: Snowball Cookies, holiday cookies, nut cookies, buttery cookies, powdered sugar cookies, festive desserts