I wanna tell you bout snowball cookies, some folks call em Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes. They are small and kinda melt in you’re mouth with buttery stuff and loads of powdered sugar. Theyre just made with basic ingrediants but you get this rich, nutty taste thats hard to beat, so almost everybody loves em.
Theyre big deal at holidays all over the globe. People bake these treats for parties and family meet-ups and share them as a way to bring eveyone together. From cookie swaps at school to big family dinners, snowballs are all about being nice, giving and feeling like you belong, making memories that ill bet you wont forget.
Im gonna show you a simple guide on how to bake these snowball cookies in youre own kitchen. Doesn't matter if you bake a lot or its your first time, this recipe tells you every step so youll get them right. I also added tips and some fun twists so you can make em your own but still keep that classic vibe. Get set to start a baking trip thats gonna fill your home with sweet smells and cozy feels!
What are Snowball Cookies?
Snowball cookies are little round treats that crumble in your mouth with a soft texture. Theyre usually rolled in powdered sugar so they look like lil snowballs and taste sweet and buttery with some nutty hints. That cute snowball shape is why many people pick these cookies for parties or just hanging out.
These cookies aint new. Lots of countries have versions of them and they go by all kinda names like Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes. Every place tacked on their own spin to the recipe, so you end up with loads of tasty versions that still feel like the old cookie at heart.
Over time people started changing em up lots. You got the classic with pecans or walnuts, but some folks tossed in chocolate chips, coconut flakes or even lemon zest. Now theres a version for every kinda taste, from the safe eaters to the ones who like to try wild flavors.
Ingredients for Snowball Cookies
To make the classic batch at home youll need some basic stuff:
- Unsalted Butter: gives you that rich, smooth feel.
- Powdered Sugar: for the dough and extra on top
- Vanilla Extract: adds a lil flavor boost
- All-Purpose Flour: the base that makes the cookie soft
- Chopped Nuts: usually walnuts or pecans; gives a nice crunch
- Pinch of Salt: cuts the sweetness and brings out flavors
If you wanna change it up, throw in choclate chips or coconut flakes to mix up the taste and feel. That way you can make the cookie kinda yours but still keep the old school snowball charm.
Detailed Snowball Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
To create these delicious snowball cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softend
- ½ cup powdered suger, plus extra for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanila extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Directions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Put the softend butter and powdered suger in a bowl then beat it till its fluffy. Takes about 3-4 minutes. This puts air in so the cookies are light.
- Add Vanilla and Mix Dry Ingredients: Stir in the vanila extract. In another bowl mix the flour and salt so its all even before you combine them.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix the dry stuff into the butter mix. Stir gentle or the cookies get tough. Stop when you cant see any dry flour.
- Fold in Chopped Nuts: Now fold in those chopped nuts. Use good ones—walnuts give a mild taste, pecans make em richer.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop out spoonfuls of dough and roll into balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart so they bake right.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 12-15 minutes or till the edges are a bit golden but the center is still soft.
- Cooling and Coating: Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar while theyre warm. When cool, roll in sugar again for extra coating.
Tips for Success
- Use Room Temperature Butter: makes the mix better and cookies more light.
- Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough: refridgerate about 30 mins so they keep their shape while baking.
- Experimenting with Flavor Variations: try almond extract or lemon zest for a twist.
- How to Store Cookies Properly: keep in an airtight container on the counter up to a week or freeze for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are snowball cookies made of?
Theyre made with butter, powdered sugar, vanila extract, flour, chopped nuts and a bit of salt. Thats it and its what makes em so buttery and melt in your mouth.
Can I make snowball cookies ahead of time?
Sure thing! You can make the dough and chill it or even freeze it for up to a month. When you wanna bake, just take it out, roll into balls and bake. Or you can bake all now and store the cookies in an air tight container.
How do I make snowball cookies healthier?
To make em more healthy you could swap butter for coconut oil or use almond flour to go gluten-free. You can cut down on suger or use a substitute too.
What can I substitute for nuts in snowball cookies?
For nut-free you can use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead. You could also throw in dried fruit, choc chips, or even some cinnamin for a different taste.
Fun Facts About Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies aint just tasty, they got cool stories. Theyve been around for years and pop up in all kind of festival cookbooks and cookie swaps. The snowball shape and white sugar make em a symbol of winter and coming together. You might even see them mentioned in books or on TV cause they remind people of family time and tradition.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make snowball cookies its time to try them out. This recipe keeps the old school feel but you can add your own cool twist. Share em with friends and family at your next gathering and make some tasty memories.
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snowball cookies recipe
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper (optional)
- 1 baking spatula
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 sifter (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) Can customize nuts or leave out for nut-free version.
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and ½ cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour, finely chopped nuts, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined; the dough will be crumbly.
- Using your hands, form small balls (about 1 inch) from the dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Do not overbake.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar to coat them generously.
- Let them cool completely on a wire rack, and then dust with more powdered sugar if desired.
