Melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies are a decadent holiday must-make cookie that you going to want to make this year. A nut-based cookie that is baked and rolled in powdered sugar so each bite is a sugary sweet cookie. These bite-sized cookies will be a show-stopper when you serve them up!
What I love about these almond cookies is that are a vintage holiday cookie recipe that has been around for ages. These cookies are one that will bring you right back to your childhood with a single bite.
Now if you are looking for more holiday cookies to add to a dessert tin for gifting or to serve up with your holiday feast let me help. Try these classic spritz cookies, 4-ingredient shortbread cookies, or Hershey chocolate cookies.
What exactly are snowball cookies?
Snowball cookies are also called Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, or even sometimes called butterballs. These are a delicate and light cookie that is made with chopped nuts, butter, flour, and more. They offer a nutty flavor that melts in your mouth.
I tend to use pecans when making snowball cookies, but you can also use walnuts or almonds. Just ensure the nuts are finely chopped.
Reasons Why You Will Love Snowball Cookies
- These cookies are a vintage cookie recipe that has been around for years and years. A classic cookie that kids and adults will both enjoy.
- Buttery and a crumbly cookie that will melt in your mouth as you bite into these cookies.
- These snowball cookies offer a rich nutty flavor that then has sweet from the powdered sugar coating.
- The perfect Christmas or Thanksgiving cookie to whip up and dress up your dessert table with.
- A great cookie to pack in a cookie box to gift as a homemade gift for loved ones.
- Easy to make, and minimal ingredients are needed for these cookies.
Ingredients You Will Need
Butter – Unsalted butter is what you will need for this easy cookie recipe. Now make sure it is real butter that is unsalted. You also want a room temperature butter.
Powdered Sugar – You will use the sugar for the cookie dough as well as roll the cookies in the powder once they are fully baked. Hence the “snow” in the name of the cookies. They look like snowballs.
Vanilla – Reach for vanilla extract to enhance the flavors in these cookies making them perfectly sweet.
Flour – All-purpose flour is used in the recipe. It is the base for the cookies to help give them shape.
Nutmeg – Nutmeg adds a nice depth to the cookies and even more nutty flavor. It will compliment the nuts nicely.
Nuts – Almonds, walnuts, or pecans can be used for this sweet cookie recipe. Just make sure that you finely chop the nuts.
Salt – Salt is going to enhance the flavor of these cookies. Without it, you will find the cookies lack flavor.
Variations to Cookie Recipe
- Use an almond extract instead of vanilla and opt for finely chopped almonds. This will give you an almond-flavored snow ball cookie.
- Use mini chocolate chips to add to the cookie dough for extra studded sweetness.
- Add in other spices along with the nutmeg. Cinnamon, cloves, or even cardamom will elevate the flavor of these cookies.
- Reach for instant coffee to add to the cookie dough. This will help to offer a nice coffee-infused flavor.
- Use orange zest or lemon zest to help add a twist of citrus to the cookie dough. If you want a stronger flavor use extract.
- Mix in dried cranberries, raisins, or other dried fruit for a twist of flavor.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the cookie dough to help create different colored cookies. Red, green, or even a blue color would be gorgeous.
Pro Tips for Success
Soften Butter
It is important that your butter is softened and not melted. The melted butter will affect the texture of the cookie dough. You want your butter to be soft so when you press your finger onto the stick it leaves an indent.
Finely Chopped Nuts
Ensure your nuts are finely chopped. You need finely chopped so it is going to mix well in the cookie batter and not leave big pieces of nuts in your bites.
Creaming Butter and Sugar
Don’t skip creaming the butter and sugar together. I use a stand mixer or hand mixer for this to ensure it gets light and creamy in texture. This step is going to ensure your cookies are light in texture and offer the optimal flavor.
Do Not Overmix the Dough
So once you get the dry ingredients in with the wet you want to make sure to not overmix. If you do, it can leave the cookies feeling dense and heavy.
Cookie Scoop
Using a cookie scoop is going to help give you uniform-sized balls. Therefore, this is important for baking and offers a better presentation value.
Rolling in Powdered Sugar
You want the snowballs to be fully coated in the powdered sugar. Sometimes that means rolling the cookies two times in the powdered sugar. I find you get a thicker coating doing it twice.
Storing Cookies
Make sure the cookies are fully cooled, and then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies will be stored for 3-5 days.
Simply freeze any of the cookies you will not eat right away, for up to 4-5 months. Freeze in a freezer bag or airtight container. Then thaw on the counter.
FAQS
Can I Make Snowball Cookies Ahead of Time?
Go right ahead and make these cookies a day ahead of time if you would like. Therefore I wouldn’t go more than 24 hours or it could dry the cookies out.
Now you could also freeze the cookies until you are ready for them if you want to make them ahead of time. Just bake, cool, and then freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw a few hours before you are ready to serve.
How Do I Keep Snowball Cookies from Falling Apart?
Since these are delicate cookies you will want to measure them properly and mix them until fully mixed. Then work lightly when rolling into balls. Also, ensure you do not overbake the cookies.
More Holiday Recipes
Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup finely chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla bean paste until well incorporated. The tiny vanilla bean specks will add a wonderful flavor and visual appeal.
- Gradually add the flour, ground nutmeg, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until the dough is just combined.
- Gently fold in the finely chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 15-16 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned. They should still be pale in color and can be slightly spongy when touched right out of the oven.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar. This will create the “snowball” effect. Be generous with the sugar for a nice coating.
- Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Re-Coat (Optional): If you want an extra snowy appearance, you can roll the cookies in powdered sugar one more time once they have cooled completely.
- Once fully cooled and coated, the cookies are ready to be enjoyed!
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