Description
These classic Snowball Cookies are buttery, tender, and dusted with confectioners’ sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth treat. Made with just a few simple ingredients, including optional toasted pecans for a delightful crunch, these easy-to-make cookies bake to golden perfection and are perfect for holiday cookie trays or any time you need a sweet, satisfying bite.
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 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 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium speed for 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Add 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar and continue beating on medium-high speed until combined and fluffy. Scrape down the sides as needed. Add vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour and salt. The dough will seem dry at first but keep mixing and increase mixer speed to high to bring the dough together. Fold in the chopped toasted pecans, if using.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days. If chilled for more than 3 hours, allow dough to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Preheat and Prepare for Baking: Set the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Place 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar into a shallow bowl for the final coating.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop or roll dough using about 1 tablespoon (20g) per cookie into balls. Space them at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake cookies for about 15 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown and tops are just starting to brown.
- Cool and Coat: Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Gently roll each cookie in the confectioners’ sugar to coat fully, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled, roll cookies in confectioners’ sugar again to achieve the classic snowball look and texture.
- Storage: Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- This recipe requires just 5 ingredients mixed in one bowl with minimal chilling time, making it quick and foolproof.
- Toasted pecans add wonderful flavor and texture but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
- Rolling the cookies twice in confectioners’ sugar ensures a thick, snowy coating that sticks well.
- Allow dough to soften after chilling longer than 3 hours for easier rolling.
- Cookies keep well for up to a week when stored properly at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
