Snowballs are a popular holiday treat that are loved by both kids and adults. These delicious little cookies are coated in powdered sugar, making them look like adorable snowballs. Made with a combination of butter, flour, and chopped nuts, these bite-sized cookies have a rich and buttery taste with a delightful crunch. They are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a homemade gift for friends and family. Enjoy these delightful snowballs with a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of milk for a truly indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar, coating them completely.
- Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Sprinkle more powdered sugar over the cooled cookies for an extra snowy look.
- Store the snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Interesting Facts
Snowballs are also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies.
The origins of snowballs can be traced back to medieval times, where they were made using ingredients like honey and spices.
Snowballs are commonly served during Christmas and other winter holidays.
You can customize the flavor of snowballs by adding different extracts, such as almond or lemon.
Snowballs are a great treat to make ahead of time as they stay fresh for several days.