There’s something truly magical about baking snowball cookies that fills the kitchen with warmth and joy. These little treasures are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delights that practically dissolve on your tongue. I remember the first time I made them with my grandma during the holidays—her secret was always to add just the right amount of powdered sugar, creating that perfect snowy finish! Every bite takes me back to those cozy afternoons spent laughing and sharing stories while the delightful aroma wafted through the house. Trust me, once you take that first bite of these snowball cookies, you’ll understand why they’re a cherished tradition in my family. They’re not just cookies; they’re a little piece of holiday happiness wrapped in sweet, sugary bliss!
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts (I love using walnuts or pecans, finely chopped)
- Additional powdered sugar for coating (you can never have too much!)
How to Prepare Snowball Cookies
Making snowball cookies is a breeze, and I promise you’ll be rewarded with delicious, buttery treats that everyone will adore! Let’s dive into the simple steps to whip up these delightful cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because we want those cookies to bake evenly and come out perfectly golden!
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy. I usually mix it for about 2-3 minutes to get that ideal texture.
- Next, add in the vanilla extract and mix well. The smell here is just heavenly!
- Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix until everything is just combined. Don’t overdo it; we want a tender cookie, not a tough one.
- Now fold in those chopped nuts—walnuts or pecans work wonders! This adds that perfect crunch.
- With your hands, shape the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they’re spaced out a bit to allow for spreading.
- Pop them in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t worry if they look a bit pale on top; that’s how they should be!
- Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes. Then, roll them in powdered sugar while they’re still warm—it helps the sugar stick better!
- Finally, let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Trust me, the wait is totally worth it!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional information for each snowball cookie. Keep in mind, these values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes, but they’ll give you a good idea of what to expect!
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 1g
These little cookies are not just delicious but also a delightful treat to share during the holidays! Enjoy them in moderation, and don’t forget to savor every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for last-minute holiday baking!
- Delightfully buttery and melt-in-your-mouth texture that everyone adores.
- Festively coated in powdered sugar, they’re as pretty as they are tasty!
- Customizable with your favorite nuts or flavors for a personal touch.
- Great for sharing at gatherings or keeping as a sweet treat at home.
Tips for Success
To make sure your snowball cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are a few tips I swear by! First off, use high-quality unsalted butter—it really makes a difference in flavor. Make sure it’s softened but not melted; you want that perfect creamy texture when creaming it with the powdered sugar.
When baking, keep an eye on the cookies as they approach the 12-minute mark. Ovens can vary, and you want them to be just lightly golden at the edges. If you leave them too long, they can become dry, and nobody wants that! After baking, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar; this helps the sugar adhere better. Lastly, patience is key—allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before diving in. Trust me, it’s worth the wait for that melt-in-your-mouth bliss!
Variations
One of the best parts about snowball cookies is how versatile they are! Feel free to get creative and make this recipe your own. For instance, you can swap out the nuts for your favorites—try using almonds or hazelnuts for a different twist. If you’re a chocolate lover like me, consider adding mini chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, sweet surprise in every bite!
Want to add a bit of spice? A teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg can elevate the flavor, making them perfect for the holiday season. You can even experiment with different extracts, like almond or hazelnut, instead of vanilla for a unique taste. The sky’s the limit, so don’t hesitate to mix and match ingredients to find your perfect snowball cookie combination!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your snowball cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty for about a week, but I bet they won’t last that long! If you want to keep them for a longer period, you can freeze them. Just layer the cookies with parchment paper in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they’ll be good for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, no need to reheat! Just let them thaw at room temperature for a bit, and they’ll be as delightful as the day you made them!
Serving Suggestions
Snowball cookies are a delightful treat on their own, but they pair beautifully with a few things to elevate your dessert experience! I love serving them alongside a warm cup of spiced chai or a rich hot chocolate—it’s the perfect cozy combo! If you’re feeling fancy, try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a light fruit salad for a refreshing contrast. Enjoy these cookies with friends and family, and watch them disappear in no time!
Imprimer
Snowball Cookies: 7 Steps to Holiday Bliss
- Temps Total: 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Snowball cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats coated in powdered sugar.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- Additional powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts.
- Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- These cookies freeze well.
- Adjust the amount of nuts to your preference.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 15 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sucre: 3g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 8g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 10g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 15mg
Mots-clés: snowball cookies, butter cookies, holiday cookies
