The Best Snowball Cookies Recipe

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Welcome to your new favorite holiday treat: snowball cookies! These delightful, melt-in-your-mouth confections are incredibly easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients and a single bowl. Perfect for busy parents and beginner bakers, these classic cookies are a staple during the festive season. You might also know them as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes, but no matter the name, their charm is undeniable.

The lineage of these beloved confections, also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes, highlights their global appeal and long-standing culinary tradition. Read more about the origins of Russian Tea Cakes.

Why You’ll Love These Snowball Cookies

These aren’t just any cookies; they are an experience in simple baking joy.

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Each bite dissolves wonderfully, thanks to their buttery base.
• Rich Buttery Flavor: Made with plenty of butter and vanilla, they taste incredibly luxurious.
• Incredible Simplicity: This easy recipe uses minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for beginners.
• Minimal Cleanup: Everything comes together in one bowl, meaning less washing up later.
• Quick Chilling Time: The dough only needs 30 minutes in the fridge before baking.
• Holiday Favorite: They are a festive must-have for any cookie platter.
• Highly Customizable: Easily switch up flavors and nuts to make them your own.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your perfect batch of snowball cookies. Each component plays a vital role in their classic texture and taste.

• 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature: The creamy foundation.
• 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners sugar: Adds initial sweetness and makes the dough tender.
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Essential for that warm, inviting flavor.
• 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled): Provides structure without being tough.
• 1/8 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Optional: 3/4 cup (100g) finely chopped and toasted pecans*: Adds a delightful nutty crunch.
• 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners sugar: For the iconic snowy coating.

Notes & Substitutions

Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature; it should yield slightly to a gentle press. This helps it cream properly for a tender cookie. When measuring flour, spoon and level it into the measuring cup to avoid dense cookies. For nuts, feel free to use finely chopped walnuts or almonds instead of pecans. If using salted butter, omit the 1/8 teaspoon of added salt in the recipe.

Equipment

You won’t need a lot of special tools for these delightful cookies.

• Large mixing bowl
• Handheld or stand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone mats
• Shallow bowl for coating
• Wire cooling rack

Instructions

Making these easy snowball cookies is a breeze with our simple, step-by-step guide.

1. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Beat the softened butter for 1 minute on medium speed until smooth. Add 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners sugar and beat until combined and creamy. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
2. Add flavor: Next, beat in the vanilla extract on medium-high speed until fully combined.
3. Combine dry ingredients: Switch your mixer to low speed. Slowly add the flour and salt. The dough will look dry and crumbly at this stage, but keep going.
4. Form dough: Once all the flour is added, increase the mixer speed to high. The dough will come together into a cohesive ball. Finally, beat in the finely chopped pecans, if you are using them.
5. Chill dough: Cover the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. You can chill it for up to 3 days. If chilling for more than 3 hours, let the dough sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling, as it will be very stiff.
6. Preheat oven and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set these aside. Pour the remaining 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) of confectioners sugar for the coating into a shallow bowl.
7. Scoop and roll: Scoop about 1 tablespoon (20g) of cookie dough per cookie. Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are at least 2 inches apart.
8. Bake cookies: Bake the snowball cookies for about 15 minutes. They are ready when the bottom edges are light golden brown and the tops are just barely browned.
9. First sugar coating: Allow the baked cookies to cool for 5 minutes directly on the baking sheet. Then, very gently roll each warm cookie in the confectioners sugar to coat it completely. The sugar might melt a little and get sticky; that’s perfectly normal.
10. Final coating: Transfer the coated cookies to wire racks and let them cool completely. Once they are fully cool, roll them in the confectioners sugar again. This second coating ensures a beautifully thick, “snowy” finish that sticks perfectly.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Butter Temperature: Always use truly room temperature butter. Cold butter won’t cream properly, leading to a denser cookie.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Only use confectioners’ sugar for the dough and coating. Granulated sugar will result in a completely different texture.
• Double Coating: The secret to perfect snowball cookies is the double coating. The first roll adheres to the slightly warm cookie, and the second creates that beautiful snowy appearance once cool.
• Prevent Spreading: Ensure your dough is properly chilled for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
• Dough Consistency: The dough will initially appear crumbly when adding flour. Don’t worry, just keep mixing on high speed until it comes together.

Serving, Storing & Variations

These versatile cookies are perfect for any occasion, especially during the holidays.

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy these delightful cookies alongside a warm cup of coffee, tea, or homemade hot cocoa.
• Arrange them beautifully on holiday cookie platters to share with friends and family.

Storage & Freezing

• Store baked snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Variations & Substitutions

• Nuts: Experiment with other finely chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts.

Toasting nuts before baking is a recommended step by culinary experts, as it significantly enhances their flavor and aroma, contributing to a richer final product. Learn more about the benefits of toasting nuts for baking.

• Sprinkles: For a fun twist, mix in about 1/2 cup of jimmie-type sprinkles with the pecans.
• Flavorings: Explore adding a few drops of peppermint extract for a festive twist, or a pinch of chai spice for a warming flavor.

Nutrition

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one cookie based on the ingredients provided. Please note that this is an approximation and can vary depending on specific brands and measurements.

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate. It may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

FAQ

• Why did my snowball cookies flatten? Cookies often flatten if the butter was too warm or if the dough wasn’t sufficiently chilled. Ensure your butter is firm but pliable, and always chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
• Why do you roll snowball cookies twice in sugar? The first roll gives a light coating that slightly melts into the warm cookie, providing a sticky base. The second roll, after cooling completely, ensures a thick, perfectly snowy appearance that truly adheres.
• Can I make these cookies without nuts? Absolutely! Simply omit the pecans from the recipe. They will still be deliciously buttery and tender.
• How long do snowball cookies stay fresh? When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these delightful cookies will stay fresh for up to one week.

Conclusion

These classic snowball cookies are truly a testament to how simple ingredients can create something incredibly delicious and memorable. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich buttery flavor make them an irresistible treat, especially during the festive season. Easy to make with minimal cleanup, they are perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Go ahead, gather your ingredients and bring this simple, delightful recipe to life in your kitchen today!

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