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Best Snowball Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 71 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 36 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These classic Snowball Cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delights dusted generously with confectioners’ sugar. Made with simple ingredients including butter, flour, and optional toasted pecans, these festive cookies require minimal prep and chill time, making them an easy yet elegant treat perfect for holidays and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 3/4 cup (100g) finely chopped and toasted pecans

Coating

  • 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter on medium speed for 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Add 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar and beat on medium-high speed until fully combined and creamy, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla extract on medium-high speed until incorporated. Switch mixer to low speed and gradually add flour and salt. Though the dough will seem dry initially, continue mixing and then increase speed to high; the dough will come together. If using, fold in the finely chopped toasted pecans.
  2. Chill the dough: Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days. If chilling longer than 3 hours, allow the dough to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before shaping to soften slightly.
  3. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Pour the 1 and 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar needed for coating into a shallow bowl.
  4. Shape the cookies: Using a tablespoon measure (about 20g), scoop or roll dough into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets spaced at least 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
  5. Bake: Bake cookies for approximately 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown and the tops are just barely browned.
  6. Initial coating: Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets. Then, gently roll each cookie in the confectioners’ sugar to coat completely and place on wire racks to cool fully. The sugar coating will become sticky initially.
  7. Final coating: Once cookies have cooled completely, roll them again in confectioners’ sugar to create the signature snowy finish.
  8. Storage: Store cookies covered at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week, maintaining freshness and flavor.

Notes

  • This simple 5-ingredient dough comes together in one bowl and requires just 30 minutes chill time before baking, making it an effortless festive favorite.
  • Toasted pecans add a lovely nutty flavor but are optional.
  • Make sure to roll cookies in confectioners’ sugar both before and after cooling to achieve the classic snowball look.
  • If chilling the dough for more than 3 hours, let it sit at room temperature before shaping so it’s easier to work with.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 30mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

Find it online: https://lazydayrecipes.com/best-snowball-cookies-recipe/