Oh my goodness, have you ever tried snowball cookies? They’re these delightful little bites of heaven, so buttery and sweet that they practically melt in your mouth! I remember the first time I made them during the holidays—my kitchen was filled with the warm scent of butter and vanilla, and my family couldn’t resist sneaking a few before they even cooled down. The best part? They’re so easy to whip up, and they make the perfect treat for sharing. Trust me, once you try these snowball cookies, you’ll be making them for every occasion, not just the holidays!
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming!
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar – This adds sweetness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor beautifully.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – The backbone of the cookies, giving them structure.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness.
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) – These add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor; feel free to use your favorite!
- Additional powdered sugar for coating – This is what gives them that signature snowball appearance!
How to Prepare Snowball Cookies
Making snowball cookies is a fun and satisfying process! It all starts with preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because you want those cookies to bake evenly and come out perfectly. While the oven warms up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial, as it incorporates air into the mixture, leading to that lovely texture!
Next, stir in the vanilla extract—don’t skip this part, as it really elevates the flavor. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until everything is combined. You should see a nice dough forming. Now it’s time to fold in those chopped nuts; they add a delightful crunch that complements the buttery goodness of the cookies.
Once your dough is ready, shape it into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake these beauties in your preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until they’re lightly golden. When they come out, let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before rolling them in powdered sugar. This step is so fun and gives them that classic snowy appearance! Let them cool completely before serving, and watch them disappear!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually incorporate 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, mixing until just combined.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans).
- Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before rolling in powdered sugar.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each snowball cookie: about 120 calories, 8g of fat, and 2g of protein. You’ll also find around 10g of carbohydrates and just 2g of sugar. Keep in mind, these values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. But hey, sometimes you just need a little indulgence, right? Enjoy every buttery bite!
Tips for Success
If you want your snowball cookies to be truly spectacular, here are my top tips! First, make sure your butter is at room temperature before you start creaming it with the powdered sugar. This ensures a light and fluffy mixture, which is key to that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Don’t rush this step—beat them together until it’s nice and creamy!
When it comes to rolling the cookies in powdered sugar, do it while they’re still warm. This helps the sugar stick better and gives that gorgeous snowy finish. I like to roll them twice—once right after baking and then again once they’re cool for that extra sweetness. And remember, don’t overbake! You want them to be just lightly golden, so keep an eye on them. Happy baking!
Variations on Snowball Cookies
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are so many fun ways to switch up your snowball cookies! For a delightful twist, try using different nuts like almonds or hazelnuts instead of the traditional walnuts or pecans. You can even mix in some mini chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite—who doesn’t love chocolate? Another idea is to incorporate a hint of spice, like cinnamon or nutmeg, for a cozy flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. If you’re looking for something a bit different, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate version. The possibilities are endless, so have fun experimenting!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your snowball cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about a week, but I bet they won’t last that long! If you want to make them ahead of time, you can also freeze them. Just place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze them initially, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature, and if you like, give them a quick roll in powdered sugar again for that fresh, snowy look! Enjoy every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make—ready in just 35 minutes!
- Easy to prepare with simple, everyday ingredients.
- Deliciously sweet and buttery, perfect for any occasion.
- Fun to roll in powdered sugar for that classic snowy finish.
- Customizable with different nuts or chocolate for extra flair.
- Perfect for sharing during the holidays or with friends.
FAQ Section
Can I make snowball cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, they store wonderfully. You can make them a few days in advance and keep them in an airtight container. Just remember to roll them in powdered sugar before serving for that fresh look!
What can I use instead of nuts?
If you’re looking for a nut-free option, you can simply leave them out or substitute with sunflower seeds or even mini chocolate chips for a different texture and flavor.
How can I tell when my cookies are done?
You want to bake them until they’re just lightly golden on the bottom. They may look a bit soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool!
Can I freeze snowball cookies?
Yes! They freeze beautifully. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them again!
Why are my cookies not rolling well in powdered sugar?
If your cookies are too cool when you roll them, the sugar won’t stick as nicely. Try rolling them while they’re still warm for the best results!
Snowball Cookies 3: Irresistibly Buttery and Sweet Treats
- 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 coating
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar together.
- 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 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar.
- Let them cool completely before serving.
Uwagi
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- They can be made a few days in advance.
- Try using different nuts for variation.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 20 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 120
- Cukier: 2g
- Sód: 15mg
- Kwasy: 8g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 5g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 3g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 10g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Słowa kluczowe: snowball cookies, butter cookies, holiday cookies
