Snowball Cookies, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, are a classic, buttery, and nutty treat, often associated with festive holidays like Christmas.
These delicate cookies are made with a shortbread-like dough that includes finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, and are baked until golden.
Once out of the oven, they’re rolled in powdered sugar while still warm, creating their signature “snowball” appearance.
Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet, nutty flavor make them a favorite treat during celebrations, perfect with tea or coffee!
Snowball Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter softened
5 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups finely chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Blend softened butter with powdered sugar. Add vanilla.
Directions:
Mix in salt, flour and chopped pecans.
Form dough into 1 inch balls or flattened cookies and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in a 325 degree oven for 20 minutes.
While hot roll in powdered sugar.
Let cool and roll again in powdered sugar.
Here are some fun variations and tips to help you customize your Snowball Cookies:
Variations:
Nut Choices:
While traditional snowball cookies are often made with pecans or walnuts, you can experiment with different nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or even macadamia nuts for a unique flavor.
Chocolate Snowball Cookies:
Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, chocolaty twist.
Alternatively, you can dip the cooled cookies halfway in melted chocolate for a more indulgent treat.
Citrus Snowball Cookies:
For a bright, fresh flavor, add the zest of a lemon, lime, or orange to the dough.
You can even mix some zest with the powdered sugar for a citrusy coating.
Spiced Snowball Cookies:
Add a teaspoon of ground spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the dough for a warm, spiced variation. Perfect for the holiday season!
Coconut Snowball Cookies:
Mix shredded coconut into the dough for a tropical twist.
You can also roll the cookies in a combination of powdered sugar and shredded coconut for extra texture.
Vegan Snowball Cookies:
Substitute butter with vegan butter and use a plant-based milk (if needed) to create a vegan-friendly version.
Make sure the powdered sugar is also vegan-certified.
Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies:
Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free snowball cookies.
Almond flour can also work well in combination with gluten-free flour.
Nut-Free Snowball Cookies:
If you’re avoiding nuts, you can make these cookies with oats or sunflower seeds ground into a fine meal as a substitute for the nuts.
Espresso Snowball Cookies:
Add instant espresso powder to the dough for a coffee-flavored variation that pairs perfectly with your morning cup of coffee or espresso.
Tips:
Finely Chop Nuts:
Make sure to finely chop or even grind the nuts so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Large chunks may cause the cookies to crumble more easily.
Chill the Dough:
After preparing the dough, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before shaping.
This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and makes them easier to handle.
Prevent Over-Baking:
Bake the cookies just until the bottoms are lightly golden.
They may not change much in color on top, so watch the bottoms closely.
Over-baking can make them too dry.
Double Coating in Powdered Sugar:
For the best “snowball” effect, roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm, and then roll them again once they have cooled completely for a thicker, more even coating.
Use Room Temperature Butter:
Let your butter come to room temperature before creaming it with sugar.
This helps create a smooth dough and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Serve with Hot Drinks:
Snowball cookies pair wonderfully with hot drinks like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, making them perfect for wintertime gatherings.
Store Properly:
Keep these cookies stored in an airtight container to maintain their texture.
If storing them long-term, you may want to re-roll them in powdered sugar after they’ve been stored.
These variations and tips will help you create snowball cookies that suit your personal taste and dietary needs while ensuring they turn out perfectly every time!
To store Snowball Cookies and keep them fresh, follow these steps:
Short-Term Storage (Up to 1 Week):
Cool Completely:
Let the cookies cool completely to room temperature before storing to avoid moisture buildup.
Airtight Container:
Place the cookies in an airtight container. You can stack them with parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
Room Temperature:
Store the container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Make sure they are kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat.
Freezing Snowball Cookies (Up to 3 Months):
Cool and Wrap:
After the cookies have cooled, wrap each cookie or layer of cookies tightly in plastic wrap.
Freezer-Safe Bag or Container:
Place the wrapped cookies in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or an airtight container.
Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing.
Label and Date:
Label the bag with the date so you know when they were frozen.
Thawing:
When you’re ready to enjoy the cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature.
You may want to re-roll them in powdered sugar after thawing to restore their fresh appearance.
By storing them properly, you can enjoy your snowball cookies for weeks or even months while maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
Here’s a general nutritional breakdown for Snowball Cookies, based on a serving size of 1 cookie (about 25 grams):
Approximate Nutritional Information (per cookie):
Calories: 120-150 kcal
Protein: 1-2 grams
Fat: 9-11 grams
Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams (mainly from butter)
Carbohydrates: 10-13 grams
Fiber: 0.5-1 gram (depending on the type of nuts used)
Sugars: 3-5 grams (mostly from powdered sugar)
Cholesterol: 10-20 mg
Sodium: 40-60 mg
Calcium: 1-2% of Daily Value
Iron: 2-3% of Daily Value
Key Factors Affecting Nutritional Values:
Nuts:
Different types of nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds) will slightly affect the fat and fiber content.
For example, almonds are higher in fiber, while pecans are richer in fat.
Butter:
The butter in the recipe contributes to the calorie, fat, and saturated fat content.
Substituting some or all of the butter with a lower-fat alternative can reduce these values.
Powdered Sugar:
The powdered sugar coating adds to the carbohydrate and sugar content.
You can reduce the amount of powdered sugar used to lower the sugar content slightly.
Serving Size:
The size of each cookie will affect the nutritional values.
The information above is for a cookie that weighs about 25 grams, but smaller or larger cookies will have different calorie counts.
Health Considerations:
High in Fat: Snowball cookies are relatively high in fat, primarily due to the butter and nuts.
However, nuts provide healthy unsaturated fats.
Moderate in Sugar: The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies a sweet kick, but they are lower in sugar compared to many other cookie types.
Rich in Calories: With each cookie containing around 120-150 calories, portion control is key, especially if you’re watching your caloric intake.
While Snowball Cookies are an indulgent treat, they can still fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.