Snowball Cookiess

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These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are buttery, nutty, and coated in powdered sugar, giving them their signature “snowball” look. A holiday classic, but also loved year-round!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (real butter is essential)
  • 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar), divided
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds work best)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  1. Add sweetness & flavor
  • Mix in ½ cup confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
  1. Make the dough
  • Gradually stir in flour, salt, and chopped nuts until fully combined. The dough will be soft but firm enough to roll.
  1. Shape the cookies
  • Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll it between your palms into a small ball (about 1 inch).
  • Place on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.
  1. Bake
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Bake cookies for 12–15 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly golden (tops will stay pale).
  1. Sugar coat (the fun part!)
  • While still warm, roll cookies in the remaining confectioners’ sugar.
  • Let cool slightly, then roll them again for that thick snowy coating.

A Little History

  • These cookies are known by many names: Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Butterballs, and more.
  • Origin stories trace back to Europe, where nut-filled butter cookies were served at weddings and celebrations.
  • Their popularity spread to the U.S. in the 20th century, especially as a Christmas cookie.

Tips & Variations

  • Nuts: Walnuts = mild, Pecans = buttery, Almonds = rich & fragrant.
  • Flavors: Add ½ tsp almond extract for an extra nutty taste.
  • Festive twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom.
  • Gluten-free: Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend.

Benefits

  • Simple ingredients, no fancy equipment needed.
  • Stays fresh for a week (and flavor improves the next day).
  • Freezer-friendly — bake ahead for holidays.

Nutrition (per cookie, approx.)

  • Calories: 120
  • Fat: 8g
  • Carbs: 12g
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Protein: 2g

Why People Love Them

Snowball cookies are bite-sized nostalgia — buttery, crumbly, and sweet. Perfect with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Loved by kids and adults alike, they’re often the first to disappear from a holiday cookie tray.

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