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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dessert

Classic Snowball Cookies

Published: Dec 23, 2020 · Modified: Dec 8, 2021 by Anna 13 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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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!

Snowball cookies on a small plate.

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
Ingredients for snowball cookies on a board.

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.
Butter and sugar in a bowl.

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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.
Rolled and baked cookies.

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.
Cookies on a plate.

More cookies recipes:

  • Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
  • Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
  • Christmas M&M Cookies
  • Cream Cheese Cookies

For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Dessert category.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!

Snowball cookies on a plate.

Classic Snowball Cookies

Author: Anna
These Classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, sweet and just melt in your mouth! A perfect easy treat to make for the holidays. 
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
chilling 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 3 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 158 kcal
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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.

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    5 from 6 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Teresa says

    September 13, 2024 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  2. Betsy says

    December 27, 2020 at 10:26 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      I love that! Thank you, Betsy!

      Reply
  3. Jessica says

    December 27, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:23 pm

      Love that! Thank you, Jessica!

      Reply
  4. Sara Welch says

    December 26, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    5 stars
    Made these for Christmas gifts this year and they did not disappoint! So easy and delicious; everyone loved them!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:26 pm

      Thank you so much, Sara!

      Reply
  5. Susan says

    December 24, 2020 at 9:56 pm

    5 stars
    Thank u this was the first time I made them n I think I did a good job, will do it again

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you, Susan!

      Reply
  6. Gideon says

    December 24, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for the memory of my childhood.( my mom use to make it on every holy)

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you, Gideon!

      Reply
      • Lori says

        December 18, 2021 at 6:23 pm

        My mom always made these but my granddaughter can’t not have nuts anything else can I put in them

      • Anna says

        December 19, 2021 at 12:30 pm

        Hi Lori! You can add chopped chocolate or sprinkles to make them festive. Nuts are not necessary. I hope this helps!

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