Snowball Cookies Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Rest Time 10 mins
Total Time 37 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Beginner
Cooking Temp: 175  C
Servings: 22
Best Season: Winter
Description

Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookies coated in a generous layer of powdered sugar. These classic winter treats are filled with finely chopped nuts, tender crumbly texture, and a sweet, delicate finish. Perfect for gifting, gatherings, or enjoying with a warm drink, these cookies are simple to prepare and always loved by all ages.

Ingredients
    For the Snowball Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2.25 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans (lightly toasted for best flavor)
    • For the Powdered Sugar Coating
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the cookies)
  • 0.25 cup extra powdered sugar (for a second coating after cooling)
Instructions
    Prepare the Dough Base
  1. 1
    Cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together in a large mixing bowl until the texture becomes light, fluffy, and smooth. This should take about 2–3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully combined.
    2. Add Dry Ingredients
  2. 2
    Sprinkle the sifted flour and salt over the butter mixture. Mix on low speed or use a spatula to fold the ingredients together. The dough will look crumbly at first but will soon come together.
    3. Add the Nuts
  3. 3
    Gently fold the finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough. Make sure the nuts are evenly distributed for consistent flavor in every bite.
    4. Shape the Cookies
  4. 4
    Scoop out small portions of dough and roll them between your palms to form smooth 1-inch balls. Place each cookie ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving slight space between them since they do not spread much.
    5. Bake
  5. 5
    Preheat the oven to 175°C. Bake the cookies for 12–14 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops will remain pale—this is normal.
    6. First Powdered Sugar Coating
  6. 6
    Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie gently in the powdered sugar so it sticks well. Place them on a cooling rack.
    7. Second Coating
  7. 7
    After the cookies have cooled completely, roll them again in the remaining powdered sugar for a perfect snowy finish.
Note

Toasting the nuts lightly enhances flavor—toast for 5 minutes at 160°C.

Store in an airtight jar for up to 1 week at room temperature.

These cookies freeze very well. Freeze the baked cookies (without sugar coating) for up to 3 months, then thaw and coat in powdered sugar.

You can replace nuts with chocolate chips for a nut-free version.

For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon almond extract along with vanilla.

Keywords: buttery cookies, holiday cookies, winter desserts, easy cookie recipe, powdered sugar cookies
Read it online: https://petitepanini.com/recipe/snowball-cookies-recipe/