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Snowball Cookies

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Snowball cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats rolled in powdered sugar, giving them their iconic snowball appearance. Often made with nuts like pecans or walnuts, these classic holiday cookies are simple to make and perfect for festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (120 g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar:
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Add vanilla and dry ingredients:
    • Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Stir in the finely chopped nuts.
  4. Shape the cookies:
    • Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
  5. Bake:
    • Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale.
  6. Cool and roll in powdered sugar:
    • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar until coated. Place on a wire rack to cool completely, then roll in powdered sugar again for a thick, snowy coating.
  7. Serve:
    • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Substitute pecans or walnuts with almonds or hazelnuts for a different flavor.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the nuts and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for flavor.
  • These cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.