Snowball Cookies: Classic Holiday Treats That Melt in Your Mouth

Classic Melt-in-Your-Mouth Snowball Cookies

There’s something magical about snowball cookies during the holiday season. These buttery, tender treats dusted with powdered sugar truly resemble little snowballs and bring instant festive charm to any cookie platter. Not only are they delightfully simple to make, but they also offer that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture that keeps everyone reaching for “just one more.”

Why You’ll Love These Snowball Cookies

• Simple ingredients – Just butter, flour, sugar and a few other basics!
• No chilling required – Mix, shape, and bake right away
• Kid-friendly recipe – Little hands love rolling the dough balls and coating in sugar
• Perfect make-ahead option – These cookies stay fresh for days
• Festive appearance – Beautiful on holiday cookie platters

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for coating
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds work best)

Essential Kitchen Tools

• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Shallow bowl for sugar coating

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll into 1-inch balls with your hands.
8. Place the cookie balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookies are set but not browned. The bottoms may be just slightly golden.
10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
11. While still warm (but not hot), gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar, coating completely.
12. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
13. Once fully cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time for that perfect snowy appearance.

Pro Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies

• Room temperature butter is key – Not melted, not cold, but perfectly softened for the right texture
• Don’t skip the double coating – The first sugar coating will absorb some moisture, while the second creates that perfect snowy look
• Toast your nuts first – For enhanced flavor, toast nuts in a dry skillet for 5 minutes before chopping and adding to the dough
• Let cool slightly before rolling – If the cookies are too hot when rolled in sugar, they may crumble
• Size matters – Keep your cookie balls uniform (about 1 inch) so they bake evenly

Delicious Variations to Try

• Chocolate Chip Snowballs – Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough
• Lemon Snowballs – Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest and substitute 1 teaspoon lemon extract for the vanilla
• Peppermint Snowballs – Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and fold in crushed candy canes
• Cinnamon Snowballs – Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to both the dough and the powdered sugar coating
• Coconut Snowballs – Replace ½ cup flour with shredded coconut for tropical flavor

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These cookies keep wonderfully, making them perfect for holiday preparations:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week
• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks
• Freezer: Place in freezer-safe containers with parchment between layers for up to 3 months
• Make-ahead dough: You can refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before shaping and baking.

Nutrition Information

Per cookie (approximate):
63 calories,
6g carbohydrates,
1g protein,
4g fat,
2g saturated fat,
8mg cholesterol,
9mg sodium

Perfect Occasions for Snowball Cookies

• Holiday cookie exchanges
• Christmas cookie platters
• Winter celebrations
• Afternoon tea parties
• Wedding or baby shower dessert tables
• Homemade food gifts (in a decorative tin)

Why Snowball Cookies Are a Timeless Favorite

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about snowball cookies. Their simplicity speaks to traditional baking at its finest – just a few quality ingredients transformed into something truly special. The contrast between the buttery, tender interior and the sweet, powdery exterior creates that perfect balance that keeps generations coming back to this classic recipe. Whether you call them snowballs, Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, or butter balls, these delightful treats have earned their place in cookie jars worldwide for good reason!

These classic snowball cookies may be simple, but they’re guaranteed to bring smiles to faces young and old. There’s nothing quite like biting into that tender, buttery cookie beneath its snowy coating of powdered sugar – a true holiday baking tradition everyone loves!

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes