These Classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, sweet and just melt in your mouth! A perfect easy treat to make for the holidays.
Along with traditional sugar cookies and gingerbread man cookies, these cookies are equally fun to make!
Classic Snowball Cookies
These round, bite-size cookies add just the needed variety to your holiday cookie platter. The dough requires only butter, sugar, and flour. There are no leavening agents (baking powder or soda) so they do not spread while baking. Yet, they are buttery and sweet! This classic version can be made without nuts or using other flavor extracts.
Ingredients:
- all-purpose flour
- chopped nuts
- granulated sugar
- unsalted butter
- vanilla or almond extract
- powdered sugar
How to make Snowball Cookies?
- Start by creaming butter with a hand mixer.
- Add sugar and cream for 3 minutes.
- Add vanilla and mix in.
- Add chopped nuts and flour. Mix in.
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- Chill the dough for 30 minutes, to make it easier to roll.
- Roll cookie dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes at 325 degrees F oven.
- Cool before rolling in powdered sugar.
Can I make these cookies without nuts?
Absolutely! The classic version calls for chopped nuts but feel free to skip them or use chopped chocolate, crushed candy canes, etc.
Best tips for making Snowball Cookies:
- Make sure the butter is softened, or it will not cream properly.
- Sift or fluff flour before measuring out. Use measuring cups for dry ingredients (without spout) for accurate measuring.
- Make sure the flour has been incorporated into the butter mixture or you will have a crumbly dough and difficult to roll.
- Cool cookies completely before rolling in powdered sugar, otherwise it will melt on a warm cookie.
- Use any nuts you like. I like to process them in my mini food processor before mixing them into the dough, to avoid large chunks in cookies.
- Skip the nuts and use chopped chocolate or crushed candy canes for different flavor variations.
More cookies recipes:
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Dessert category.
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Classic Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chopped nuts see note
- 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter with a hand mixer for 30 seconds.1 cup unsalted butter
- Add granulated sugar and cream for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.¼ cup granulated sugar
- Add vanilla extract and mix in.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add chopped nuts and flour. Mix in. The dough will be thick. You can use a wooden spoon to mix in the dry ingredients.¾ cup chopped nuts, 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Cover the bowl and chill the dough for 30 minutes, to make it easier to roll.
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into balls. Place on a baking sheet, spacing them about 2" apart.
- Bake cookies for 16 to 18 minutes.
- Cool cookies completely.
- Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll cookies in sugar, repeat twice if needed for a thicker layer.1 cup powdered sugar
Notes
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
- Cool cookies completely before rolling in powdered sugar, otherwise it will melt on a warm cookie.
- Use any nuts you like. I like to process them in my mini food processor before mixing them into the dough, to avoid large chunks in cookies.
Teresa says
Great minds think a like!! I've been making the same recipe since 1980. I got the same recipe from my sisters Mother- In- Law!
Betsy says
One of my all time favorite people loved this cookie. I delighted in making these every single year just for her. She passed away a few years ago. When I make this cookie I always think of her. She would have loved this particular recipe. <3 Just like the ones she always loved!
Anna says
I love that! Thank you, Betsy!
Jessica says
I remember having these as a kiddo so I wanted to make them for my kids this year and they turned out perfect. Thank you!
Anna says
Love that! Thank you, Jessica!
Sara Welch says
Made these for Christmas gifts this year and they did not disappoint! So easy and delicious; everyone loved them!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Sara!
Susan says
Thank u this was the first time I made them n I think I did a good job, will do it again
Anna says
Thank you, Susan!
Gideon says
Thank you for the memory of my childhood.( my mom use to make it on every holy)
Anna says
Thank you, Gideon!
Lori says
My mom always made these but my granddaughter can’t not have nuts anything else can I put in them
Anna says
Hi Lori! You can add chopped chocolate or sprinkles to make them festive. Nuts are not necessary. I hope this helps!