These buttery, nutty cookies are a holiday favorite! Coated in powdered sugar, they look like little snowballs and melt in your mouth with every bite.
Did You Know?
Snowball cookies, also known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes, have been enjoyed for centuries worldwide. Their simple, buttery base and powdered sugar coating make them a universally loved treat.
Yield
24 cookies
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until fully combined.
- Fold in the finely chopped nuts until evenly distributed.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Bake the cookies for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale.
Step 5: Coat in Powdered Sugar
- Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm.
- Place the sugar-coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar a second time for an extra snowy coating.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)
Calories: 110, Protein: 1g, Carbohydrates: 10g, Fiber: 1g, Net Carbohydrates: 9g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 20mg, Sugars: 5g, Glycemic Index: Medium
How These Cookies Will Look and Taste
These cookies are small, round, and snowy white, with a soft, crumbly texture. The finely chopped nuts add a slight crunch, and the buttery base melts in your mouth. Each bite is perfectly sweet with a hint of vanilla.
Kitchen Tips, Great Ideas, How to Save Money
- Use walnuts, pecans, or almonds—whichever nuts are most affordable or available.
- Toast the nuts lightly before chopping to enhance their flavor.
- Ensure the butter is fully softened for a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Chill the dough to prevent spreading and maintain the snowball shape.
- Roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice for the best "snowy" effect.
- Substitute vanilla extract with almond extract for a nutty flavor boost.
- Use a small cookie scoop for even-sized cookies that bake evenly.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Package in holiday tins or boxes for gifting—perfect for cookie swaps!
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the powdered sugar for a warm, festive twist.
Let’s Learn About Nut Choices in Snowball Cookies
The choice of nuts makes a big difference in flavor and texture. Pecans bring a buttery richness, walnuts offer a bold, earthy flavor, and almonds add a mild nuttiness. Finely chop the nuts to distribute them evenly throughout the dough, ensuring a perfectly balanced bite in every cookie.