Gram's Snow Balls - A Delicious Holiday Treat

Gram's Snow Balls are a classic holiday dessert that brings back nostalgic childhood memories. These delightful treats are made with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth dough, rolled in powdered sugar, and filled with a surprise cherry in the center. They are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. With their snowy appearance and sweet taste, Gram's Snow Balls are sure to become a new favorite in your family.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 24 maraschino cherries, drained
• 2 cups powdered sugar (for coating)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
6. Take about a tablespoon of dough and flatten it in the palm of your hand.
7. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of the dough and wrap the dough around it, shaping it into a ball.
8. Repeat with the remaining dough and cherries.
9. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each ball.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.
11. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
12. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the powdered sugar until evenly coated.
13. Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
14. Once cooled, roll the cookies in the powdered sugar again to add an extra layer of sweetness.
15. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Interesting Facts