Snowball Cookies Recipe

red bowl with a pile of snowball cookies

These Classic Snowball Cookies use just 5 simple ingredients! Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with toasted pecans and rolled in powdered sugar. Perfect for holiday gatherings!

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Course: Sweets, Desserts and Shooters

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Chill: 30

Total Time: 50

Servings: cookies

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Cream/whip with hand or stand mixer for 1-2 minutes.
Add in salt and vanilla extract. Mix to combine.
Slowing add in flour in a few batches, mixing between additions until fully combined. Do not over mix.
Scoop into 1 inch balls and roll to smooth out.
Place on parchment lined baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes.
Remove from the fridge and bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges just start to brown.
While the cookies are baking, place remaining powdered sugar in a bowl.
When the cookies are finished baking, remove from the oven and let sit 1-2 minutes on the baking sheet. Do not try to move as they will be soft.
After the 1-2 minutes, if the cookies are cool enough to handle (but not completely cooled) roll them one at a time in the bowl of powdered sugar to get an initial coating.
Place cookies on a cool baking sheet or plate. When they are completely cool, roll in the powdered sugar again, to ensure they are completely coated. Enjoy!

Notes

Use the good stuff - With just a few ingredients use the best butter you can find for extra buttery flavor. Toast nuts before adding (cool completely first to avoid melting dough).
Chop carefully - Finely chop nuts into even pieces by hand, discarding the "dust". Avoid a food processor because it makes the pieces too small.
Uniform size - Use ice cream or cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies. Line pans with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and easy clean up.
Handle with care - Don't over bake (just until edges brown). Let cool slightly on baking sheet before moving. Roll gently in powdered sugar with a fork in a bowl (not in a bag where they'll smash).

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