christmas Snowball Cookies
The aroma of freshly baked christmas Snowball Cookies fills the air, wrapping you in a cozy embrace as you take that first bite. These delightful treats, dusted with powdered sugar, have a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture complemented by the crunch of finely chopped nuts, creating a perfect balance of sweet and nutty. Just envision these snowy white cookies piled high on a festive platter, inviting everyone to indulge during the holiday season.
Table of Contents
Growing up, making these cookies was a cherished tradition, often shared with friends and family around the kitchen table, laughter mingling with the sweet scent of baking. With each cookie, I was reminded of the joy of giving and sharing something special. It’s that heartwarming feeling that I want you to experience as you create your very own batch of christmas Snowball Cookies this year. So grab your apron, and let’s make some delightful memories together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Whip these up in about 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
- Irresistible Flavor: The unique combination of buttery richness and crunchy nuts will have you reaching for seconds.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: These cookies look like little snowballs, making them the perfect festive treat.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a sweet snack with a warm drink.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily switch to gluten-free flour or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups flour: All-purpose, spelt, whole wheat pastry, or gluten-free flour provides the base. Stick to flours suggested for the best results.
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts: These add a delicious crunch. Pecans or almonds are also excellent substitutes if you prefer.
- 1 cup butter: Use unsalted butter for the perfect creamy richness. Coconut oil works well for a dairy-free variety.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: This sweetener is essential for that lovely melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can slip in a bit more for dusting afterward!
- Optional additional powdered sugar or cocoa powder: For rolling and added flavor, feel free to get creative with your toppings!
How to Make christmas Snowball Cookies
Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F. This ensures an even baking temperature, creating that perfect golden color on the edges of your snowball cookies. While the oven warms, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Combine Buttery Goodness: In a medium mixing bowl or a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the mixture, making your cookies incredibly light. The mixture should look smooth and creamy, with a pale color that hints at the buttery goodness to come.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and chopped nuts. This helps evenly distribute the nuts throughout the dough, ensuring that each bite is just as flavorful as the next. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the tender texture you’ll love!
Bring It All Together: Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the butter-sugar mixture until just blended. Your dough should come together into a soft ball. If it’s crumbly, don’t stress—it’ll come together once shaped. Feel free to taste-test; that’s part of the fun!
Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into small balls, about one inch in diameter. Space them about an inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are lightly browned at the edges and fragrant. Keep an eye on them—oven temperatures can vary.
Roll in Sugar: Once baked, let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. While they’re still warm, roll each cookie generously in powdered sugar or cocoa powder if you’re feeling adventurous. This sugary layer is what gives these **christmas Snowball Cookies** their signature look!
Storing & Reheating
To store your christmas Snowball Cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. If you want to extend their life, refrigerate them for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze the cookies, separating layers with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to three months! When you’re ready to enjoy them again, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them lightly in the oven at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes. Just note that the texture may change slightly—refreshing them in the oven helps restore their delightful softness!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid Overmixing: Mixing the dough too much can lead to tougher cookies, so blend until just combined.
- Ingredient Temperatures: Ensure that the butter is softened to room temperature for the best creaminess.
- Timing is Everything: Keep a close watch on your cookies near the end of the baking time; the perfect cookie is just lightly golden.
- Feel Free to Experiment: If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or vanilla extract for added warmth in flavor.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the dough in advance and freeze it. Just roll, freeze, then bake straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the time.
As you gather your ingredients and prepare to make these festive christmas Snowball Cookies, just remember that the joy is in the process. From the delightful flavors that come together to the laughter shared during baking, each cookie holds a little piece of holiday spirit. Enjoy experimenting with different nuts and coatings, and don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour. Just be sure that the other ingredients, like nuts and butter, are gluten-free as well. The cookies will still have that delightful taste and texture we all love!
How do I store leftover cookies?
To store your christmas Snowball Cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. For extended freshness, refrigerate or freeze them, ensuring they’re well sealed to maintain moisture and flavor.
What can I use instead of nuts?
If you have nut allergies or simply don’t prefer them, feel free to omit the nuts entirely for a plain snowball cookie. You might consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or even incorporating some chocolate chips for extra flavor!
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes! You can freeze the cookie dough for up to three months. Simply roll it into balls, flash freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to bake, pop them in the oven directly from the freezer, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
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📖 Recipe Card
christmas Snowball Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These christmas Snowball Cookies are a holiday favorite! With their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and nutty flavor, they are perfect for celebrations or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Optional additional powdered sugar or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Stir together flour and chopped nuts in a separate bowl.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the butter-sugar mixture until just blended.
- Shape dough into small balls, spacing them an inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned at the edges.
- Cool slightly, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
For longer storage, freeze cookies separated by parchment paper for up to three months.
Make your own variations by experimenting with different nuts or flavorings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
