Oh my goodness, have you ever had a snowball cookie? These little bites of heaven are the perfect combination of buttery goodness and a delightful crunch from the nuts, all wrapped in a sweet cloud of powdered sugar. Honestly, every time I make them, I can’t help but pop a few straight from the cooling rack—trust me, they’re just that irresistible! Snowball cookies are especially popular during the holidays, making them a staple at festive gatherings and cookie exchanges. They bring a warm, cozy feeling that pairs perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee. So, if you’re ready to impress your friends and family with a treat they’ll never forget, let’s dive into this delightful recipe!
Ingredients for Snowball Cookies
Before you gather your supplies, let me tell you, the ingredients for these snowball cookies are super simple! You probably have most of them in your pantry already. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 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 for a nice crunch!)
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Make sure your butter is nice and soft—this helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love. And don’t skimp on the powdered sugar; it’s what gives these cookies that beautiful snowy finish! Now, let’s get ready to make some magic happen!
How to Prepare Snowball Cookies
Alright, let’s get to the fun part—making these scrumptious snowball cookies! First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because we want those cookies to bake perfectly. While the oven is heating up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy. It should take about 2-3 minutes; you’re looking for that dreamy texture!
Next, add in the vanilla extract and mix it all up until combined. Now, gradually incorporate the flour and salt, mixing just until everything is blended together. Don’t overmix—this keeps your cookies nice and tender! Then, stir in those chopped nuts for that delightful crunch we all love.
Now it’s time to shape the dough! Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet, giving them a little space to spread. Pop them in the oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly browned. Once they’re done, take them out and let them cool for a few minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar. Trust me, rolling them while warm makes for the best coating! After they cool completely, go ahead and roll them in powdered sugar one more time for that perfect snowy finish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: These snowball cookies come together in just about 35 minutes from start to finish—perfect for when you need a sweet treat in a hurry!
- Delicious Flavor: The buttery, nutty goodness mixed with that sugary coating is simply divine. Each bite melts in your mouth and leaves you craving more.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, attending a cookie swap, or just want to brighten up a regular day, these cookies fit the bill!
- Customizable: You can easily switch up the nuts or add different extracts to make them your own. How fun is that?
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves these little snowy delights—trust me, they’ll be the star of your dessert table!
Tips for Success with Snowball Cookies
To make sure your snowball cookies turn out absolutely perfect, here are a few pro tips you’ll want to keep in mind! First off, ensure your butter is truly softened—this means leaving it out at room temperature for at least an hour. It’ll make a world of difference in achieving that light, fluffy texture. Also, use fresh nuts; stale nuts can really dull the flavor of your cookies. And don’t forget to check your oven temperature with a thermometer—ovens can be tricky! Lastly, for an extra touch, try rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice, like I do, for that ultimate snowy effect!
Variations of Snowball Cookies
One of the best things about snowball cookies is how easily you can customize them! If you’re a fan of different nuts, try swapping out the walnuts or pecans for slivered almonds or hazelnuts for a unique twist. You can also experiment with flavor extracts—almond extract gives a lovely, distinct taste that pairs beautifully with the buttery base. Feeling adventurous? Add a handful of chocolate chips or dried cranberries to the dough for a fun surprise in every bite. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and make these cookies truly your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions for Snowball Cookies
Once your delicious snowball cookies are made, you’ll want to keep them fresh for as long as possible! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay delightful for up to a week. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. If you’re tempted to savor them even longer, you can freeze the cookies! Simply place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper, and they’ll last for up to 3 months.
If you’d like to enjoy them warm, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds—just be careful not to overdo it, or they might become too soft!
Nutritional Information for Snowball Cookies
Curious about what’s in these delightful snowball cookies? Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional values for one cookie:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. But hey, a little indulgence never hurt anyone, right?
FAQ About Snowball Cookies
Got questions about making the best snowball cookies? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries that pop up:
Can I make snowball cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies are great for making in advance. Just store them in an airtight container after they’ve cooled completely, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
What can I use instead of nuts?
If you’ve got nut allergies or just prefer a nut-free version, you can leave them out entirely or substitute with things like mini chocolate chips or dried fruit for added texture and sweetness!
Why do my cookies spread too much?
If your snowball cookies are spreading too much, it might be due to the butter being too soft. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and try chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! You can definitely freeze the cookie dough. Just roll it into balls and place them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to bake, you can pop them directly from the freezer into the oven—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
What’s the best way to roll them in powdered sugar?
I like to roll my cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm for that perfect coating. Once they’re completely cool, give them another roll for that beautiful snowy effect!
Snowball Cookies 2: 5 Irresistible Tips for Perfect Bites
- Całkowity Czas: 35 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 cookies 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Delicious and buttery snowball cookies rolled in powdered sugar.
Składniki
- 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 rolling
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until combined.
- Stir in the chopped nuts.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar.
- Allow to cool completely, then roll in powdered sugar again before serving.
Uwagi
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Use your favorite nuts for variation.
- You can substitute vanilla extract with almond extract for a different flavor.
- Czas Przygotowania: 20 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 15 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 120
- Cukier: 5g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 8g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 5g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 3g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 12g
- Włókno: 0g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Słowa kluczowe: snowball cookies, cookie recipe, holiday cookies
