Snowball Cookiess

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.