Snowball Cookies Recipe (2024)

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Snowball Cookies are a delectable concoction of butter, flour, and sugar. This no-nut version of the classic snowball cookie recipe is a delicious must-make for your cookie plate.

They are a wonderful additionto a Christmas Cookietray of Chocolate Chip Cookies and Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, but don’t hesitate to serve them well into the New Year. Snowball Cookies are a welcome treat almost any time!

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  • Why Make This
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • FAQs
  • Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes
  • Tell us what you think!
  • Snowball Cookies

You’ve had these traditional holiday cookies before, I’m sure. They’re known by other names: Mexican Wedding Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Swedish Tea Cakes, Russian Teacakes. At our house we call them Snowballs. And they are a favorite, indeed.

These classic Snowball Cookies are soooooo good. I mean, butter, flour, sugar and nuts? You really can’t go wrong with that combination.Except for the nuts…

in a nut allergy home.

Years ago, I decided to omit the traditional chopped pecans from my favorite cookie recipe to make them free of nutsso that my younger daughter could enjoy them along with the rest of us. Nut-Free Cookies are fun for everyone!

If you’re avoiding nuts as well — or even if you’re not — I nominate these as a must-make on your cookie plate this holiday season.

(I promise you won’t miss the nuts, but I’ve also included plenty of mix-in options below if you want to gussy up this snowball cookies recipe.)

Why Make This

They are easy! The dough mixes up quickly with a mixer or food processor and bakes in a flash.

They are freezer-friendly. These are top of my list of Christmas Cookies to Make-Ahead and Freeze. They thaw quickly so you can keep a stash on hand and not worry about thawing them too far in advance.

They are delicious. Whether you make our standard recipe or try one of the variations, you’re sure to enjoy these buttery sweet treats.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to makeSnowball Cookies:

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butter – I use real dairy butter, softened, but you can use margarine or another plant-based butter.

powdered sugar – You’ll use powdered sugar in the cookie dough as well as for rolling the baked cookies when they come out of the oven.

vanilla extract – Vanilla adds just enough flavor to these cookies. So good! Remember, making your own vanilla extract is the cheapest way to go.

flour –I like to use unbleached, all-purpose flour but you can use regular as well.

salt – Don’t omit the salt. It’s the perfect foil for the sweetness of the cookie.

Variations

There are lots of ways to level up your Snowball Cookies.

  • Mix-ins – Reduce the flour to 2 cups and stir in ¼ cup finely chopped nuts, such as finely choppedpecans, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, or jimmies sprinkles.
  • Extracts – I like vanilla, but you can use rum, almond, or cake batter extract.
  • Coatings – Instead of rolling the baked cookie in powdered sugar, you can dip or drizzle them in chocolate. They won’t look like snowballs anymore, but they’ll be delicious.

Pro tip:I do recommend that youweigh the flourto get the proper ratio of flour to butter. If you scoop the flour, you risk having a very dry dough. It’s not the end of the world, just pack the dough with your hands to get it to stick together. Weighing your flour is simple and easy, though, so go with that!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to makeSnowball Cookies:

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Combine the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor or in a mixing bowl with a mixer.

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Add the flour and salt. Blend until a coarse crumby dough forms.

Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls, pressing to pack the dough together.

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Place the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet or one lined with a silpat baking mat. Bake until set about 9 minutes. Do not brown.

Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar. Cool and serve.

Storage: Snowball Cookies are good for up to 4 days at room temperature. Freeze completely cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks. To serve: simply remove from packaging, thaw and serve.

TLDR? Watch the Easy Snowball Cookies web story.

FAQs

What are Snowball Cookies made of?

Snowball Cookies have just a few ingredients: butter, sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt. Some recipes include finely chopped nuts or other mixins.

Should Snowball Cookies be refrigerated?

You do not need to refrigerateSnowball Cookies. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should be good for 4 to 7 days. Freeze for longer storage.

Can Snowball Cookies be made without nuts?

Yes! You can makeSnowball Cookies without nuts for a tasty Nut-free Cookie.

How long willSnowball Cookies stay fresh?

They should be good at room temperature for 4 to 7 days, depending on how warm the room is. Freeze them for up to 6 weeks.

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Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

Be sure to check out more reader favorite holiday cookies!

  • Cranberry Cookies
  • Chocolate Coconut Bars (40 cents/ea)
  • Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
  • Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies

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Tell us what you think!

We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

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Snowball Cookies

Snowball Cookies are a delectable concoction of butter, flour, and sugar. This no-nut version of the classic recipe is a delicious must-make for your cookie plate.

4.88 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes minutes

Servings: 36

Calories: 80kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar plus additional powdered sugar for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°. Line sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

  • Combine the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor (or in a mixing bowl with a mixer). Add the flour and salt. Pulse until coarse crumbs forms. Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls, pressing to pack your own snowball cookies.

  • Place the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet or one lined with a silpat baking mat. Bake until set about 9 minutes. Do not brown. Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1 cookie.

Variations –There are lots of ways to level up your Snowball Cookies.

  • Mix-ins – Reduce the flour to 2 cups and stir in ¼ cup finely chopped nuts, such as finely choppedpecans, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, or jimmies sprinkles.
  • Extracts – I like vanilla, but you can use rum, almond, or cake batter extract.
  • Coatings – Instead of rolling the baked cookie in powdered sugar, you can dip or drizzle them in chocolate. They won’t look like snowballs anymore, but they’ll be delicious.

Pro tip:I do recommend that youweigh the flourto get the proper ratio of flour to butter. If you scoop the flour, you risk having a very dry dough. It’s not the end of the world, just pack the dough with your hands to get it to stick together. Weighing your flour is simple and easy, though, so go with that!

Store in an airtight container. To freeze, layer the cookies between sheets of parchment or waxed paper for up to 6 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

This post was originally published on December 14, 2010. It has been updated for content and clarity.

Snowball Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do my snowball cookies go flat? ›

Why did my snowball cookies turn out flat? Snowball cookies should not flatten. Since they do not contain a leavening agent, the main factor to check is that the dough is chilled before baking.

What is the trick to making soft and chewy cookies? ›

How to Make Soft Cookies
  1. Cream your butter and sugar well.
  2. Choose a low-protein flour.
  3. Don't overmix your dough.
  4. Chill your dough.
  5. Use a higher ratio of white to brown sugar.
  6. Don't chill your dough.
  7. Smash your dough and bang the pan.
Feb 19, 2021

How do you beat cookie batter? ›

Add the ingredients to the bowl, and begin beating using a metal whisk. Hold the whisk at an angle (roughly 45 degrees) to the bowl and spin your wrist in a circular motion, lifting the whisk up and out of the mixture then bringing it back down to the bottom of the bowl.

How do you get powdered sugar to stick to cookies? ›

Once the cookies have completely cooled, roll in confectioners' sugar again. This is when the sugar will really stick.

How do you make cookies flat instead of fluffy? ›

shape the cookies, put them on the tray, then put it in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking. If you don't want puffy cookies, flatten them with the back of a glass dipped in flour before chilling. If you're making your cookies with margarine, you might want to substitute vegetable shortening or butter.

How do you make cookies flatten more? ›

Cookie baking temperature and time

Higher temperatures promote faster spread, while lower temperatures result in slower spread. Additionally, longer baking times can encourage more spread. Experiment with different temperatures and baking times to find the perfect balance for achieving your desired cookie.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What is the best flour for cookies? ›

All-Purpose Flour: The Versatile Choice

All-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour in cookie recipes due to its moderate protein content (usually around 10-12%).

What makes cookies soft and fluffy? ›

Baking soda

When added to dough, baking soda releases a carbon dioxide gas which helps leaven the dough, creating a soft, fluffy cookie. Baking soda is generally used in recipes that contain an acidic ingredient such as vinegar, sour cream or citrus.

Should cookie batter rest before baking? ›

It leads to a marvelously chewy, chocolate-rich cookie." So yes, resting your cookie dough makes better cookies. If you can't swing an overnight rest, we recommend chilling your cookie dough in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before scooping and baking.

Should you beat eggs before adding to cookie dough? ›

Adding eggs, one at a time

After creaming together butter and sugar, the next ingredient in many cookie recipes is eggs. They should be added one at a time, each one thoroughly beaten in before the next is added, to allow the creamed butter/sugar mixture to most effectively retain its trapped air.

What happens if cookie dough is overmixed? ›

Overmixing the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough and dense cookies. It's essential to mix the ingredients just until they come together to avoid developing too much gluten.

What happens if I use powdered sugar instead of regular sugar in cookies? ›

Powdered sugar in cookie dough will give you chewier cookies (if there's egg in the recipe). In shortbread-like cookies it gives you a cookie that's more dense but with a silkier crumb. If you have to substitute powdered for granulated, use 1 and 3/4 cups powdered sugar for every cup of granulated sugar in your recipe.

What happens if you use powdered sugar instead of granulated in cookies? ›

All levels of powdered sugar grind can be used interchangeably with each other in cookie recipes. But take note: powdered sugar is not to be substituted for granulated sugar or brown sugar, since the added cornstarch in powdered sugar changes cookie chemistry and texture.

What if I use powdered sugar instead of granulated in cookies? ›

It is not recommended to substitute powdered sugar for granulated sugar. Since powdered sugar has a much finer texture, and it contains a small percentage of cornstarch to prevent caking, substituting can give you unexpected results. Q.

Why are my cookies coming out flat? ›

Why did my chocolate chip cookies turn out flat and spread out so much? Cookies generally spread out more if there's no leavening agent. Some cookie recipes don't call for baking powder or baking soda. If that's the case, 'flat and spread out' is what the originator intended.

Why don't my cookies stay puffy? ›

Just like a cold oven can affect your cookies, so can an oven that is too hot. If your oven is too cold, then it can cause your cookies to spread too much before the edges set. And if your oven is too hot, it will cause the edges set too quickly before the cookie can spread at all causing for a cookie that spread less.

Why do my cookies deflate when they cool? ›

As they cool, the liquified sugars cool and harden, producing crisp bottoms and edges, and the air inside cools, causing the cookie to deflate slightly.

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