Snowball cookies, with their signature powdered sugar coating and melt-in-your-mouth texture, are a timeless holiday favorite. Whether you know them as Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, or butterballs, their sweet simplicity and buttery richness never go out of style. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about crafting the perfect snowball cookies recipe at home, from understanding their origins to mastering the delicate baking process and trying fun variations. Looking for inspiration?
Contents
- 1 What Are Snowball Cookies?
- 2 Key Ingredients for a Perfect Snowball Cookies Recipe
- 3 Snowball Cookies Recipe
- 4 How to Make Snowball Cookies Step-by-Step
- 5 The Secret to the Double Sugar Coating
- 6 Snowball Cookies Recipe Variations to Try
- 7 Storing and Preserving Snowball Cookies
- 8 Snowball Cookie Troubleshooting Guide
- 9 Creative Ways to Serve and Gift Snowball Cookies
- 10 Expert Tips for the Best Snowball Cookies Recipe
- 11 Conclusion
What Are Snowball Cookies?
Origins and History of Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies have been a staple in many households across generations, especially during festive seasons. Known globally under different names, such as Russian tea cakes in Eastern Europe or Mexican wedding cookies in Latin America, these treats have one thing in common – their shortbread-style base and signature snowy sugar finish. The origins trace back centuries, rooted in simple ingredients like flour, butter, and nuts or starches, shaped into bite-sized rounds and rolled in powdered sugar. Over time, their popularity spread across cultures, with each adding a personal twist to the base recipe.
What makes this cookie truly universal is its simplicity and adaptability. Despite variations in names and regional twists, the soul of the cookie remains unchanged – soft, crumbly, and sweet.
Why They Are Popular During Holidays
The snowball cookies recipe is particularly loved during the winter holidays for more than just their name. Their powdered sugar coating resembles freshly fallen snow, making them visually festive and perfect for the season. But beyond aesthetics, the cookies are incredibly easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and can be stored for up to a week – ideal for holiday baking marathons or cookie exchange parties.
Key Ingredients for a Perfect Snowball Cookies Recipe
The Role of Butter, Powdered Sugar, and Vanilla
The foundation of any snowball cookies recipe lies in the harmony of a few simple yet essential ingredients. At the heart of it all is unsalted butter, which gives these cookies their signature rich and crumbly texture. It’s important to use butter at room temperature so it creams properly with the sugar and vanilla, ensuring a smooth dough that holds its shape.
Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar—plays a dual role in snowball cookies. It not only sweetens the dough but also contributes to that melt-in-your-mouth bite. This fine sugar blends seamlessly with the butter, unlike granulated sugar, which can create a gritty texture. And of course, it’s used again after baking to coat the cookies in that snowy finish that gives these treats their name.
Adding vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste elevates the flavor with a hint of warmth and depth. While vanilla extract is more common, the paste version intensifies the taste and adds little specks that make your cookies feel gourmet. Whether you choose one or the other, don’t skip it, it rounds out the flavor beautifully.
Importance of Custard Powder or Cornstarch in Texture
One of the secrets to achieving the iconic tenderness of a snowball cookie is the inclusion of either custard powder or cornstarch. These ingredients aren’t always found in traditional cookie recipes, but they make a world of difference in the final product.
Custard powder adds a slight richness and an extra touch of flavor, especially if it’s vanilla-flavored. It also helps keep the interior soft without making the cookies too dense. If custard powder isn’t available, cornstarch is a perfect substitute. It performs similarly by interfering with the formation of gluten in the flour, resulting in a more tender, crumbly texture.
The inclusion of just a small amount, around 20 grams, of either ingredient creates a lighter cookie that almost dissolves on your tongue. It’s this small detail that often separates a good snowball cookie from a truly outstanding one.
And don’t forget salt, which enhances all the flavors. Just a quarter teaspoon is enough to balance the sweetness and bring out the buttery richness. If you’re using salted butter, it’s best to reduce or skip the added salt to avoid over-seasoning.
By focusing on these core ingredients and using them in the right ratios, you’re already halfway to baking the perfect batch of snowball cookies.
Print
Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies are coated in powdered sugar and perfect for holidays or year-round treats.
Ingredients
180g unsalted butter, at room temperature
70g powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
190g all-purpose flour
20g custard powder or cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt (less if using table salt)
Extra powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 165°C / 325°F. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
2. Cream together the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
3. Scrape down the bowl and add flour, custard powder (or cornstarch), and salt. Mix to combine.
4. Scoop dough into 18g balls using a 1 Tbsp scoop. Roll into smooth balls.
5. Place on baking sheet, spaced slightly apart. Bake for 15–16 minutes until set but not browned.
6. Cool cookies on pan for 10 minutes.
7. Gently roll warm cookies in powdered sugar and return to the tray.
8. Once cooled, roll cookies again in powdered sugar.
9. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Notes
If using salted butter, reduce or omit the salt.
Powdered sugar is also known as icing sugar or confectioner’s sugar.
Chilling dough slightly before baking helps reduce spreading.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
How to Make Snowball Cookies Step-by-Step
Preparing the Dough and Rolling Techniques
Making the dough for snowball cookies is straightforward, but a few key techniques will elevate your results. Start by creaming the unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough, giving the cookies their delicate crumb. Don’t rush this part—take the time to scrape down the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Once the butter mixture is well creamed, gradually add the all-purpose flour, custard powder or cornstarch, and salt. Mixing everything together might feel like the dough is too soft at first, but that’s exactly what you want. It should be pliable but not sticky. If it seems too loose, resist the urge to add more flour, as this could lead to dense cookies.
Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, portion out equal pieces of dough—each should weigh around 18 grams. This ensures even baking and consistent sizing. Gently roll each scoop between your palms to form smooth, round balls. There’s no need to flatten them; snowball cookies naturally hold their dome shape.
Proper spacing is essential. These cookies do spread slightly, so give them a bit of room on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Typically, one half-sheet pan can hold about 24 cookies comfortably.
Baking and Cooling: Getting That Signature Texture
Preheat your oven to 165°C / 325°F to create the low, even heat snowball cookies need. Baking at this gentle temperature allows the cookies to set without browning too quickly, preserving their pale color and soft bite.
Bake the cookies for 15 to 16 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to firm up and the tops are set. You’re not looking for golden-brown cookies here—just a slight coloring around the base. The goal is a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture, not a crisp one.
Once they come out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the pan for 10 minutes. This is crucial. They are quite delicate while warm and can break easily if moved too soon. During this time, prepare a wide, shallow bowl of powdered sugar for the first rolling.
After 10 minutes, and once they are cool enough to handle, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar and return them to the tray. Handle them carefully—they may still be slightly fragile at this stage.
Once fully cooled, give the cookies a second generous coating of powdered sugar. This final layer sticks beautifully and gives that iconic snowball finish. The double rolling technique not only adds flavor but also enhances the cookie’s snowy appearance.
By following these simple steps, you’ll end up with a batch of snowball cookies that are crisp on the outside, buttery-soft inside, and coated in a delicate cloud of sweetness.
The Secret to the Double Sugar Coating
When and How to Roll in Powdered Sugar
One of the defining features of the snowball cookies recipe is their thick, snowy coating of powdered sugar. But to achieve that perfect finish, timing and technique are key. You don’t simply roll them once and call it a day. The process involves two careful coatings, each with its own purpose.
The first roll happens shortly after the cookies come out of the oven. Once they’ve cooled for about 10 minutes on the baking pan, and are cool enough to handle without crumbling, they’re gently rolled in a shallow bowl of sifted powdered sugar. At this stage, the cookies are still slightly warm, which causes the sugar to melt just a bit and cling to the surface. This first coating acts like a base layer, almost like a sugary primer.
Be gentle during this stage. These cookies are fragile when warm and can easily break if handled too roughly. Use a soft hand to turn them over in the sugar and make sure all sides are coated evenly. If you notice areas where the sugar doesn’t stick well, don’t worry. The second coating will take care of that.
Getting the Perfect “Snowball” Look Every Time
After the cookies have cooled completely—usually another 15 to 20 minutes—it’s time for the second roll in powdered sugar. This is where the real magic happens. Now that the surface has set and the cookies are firm to the touch, the sugar sticks better and doesn’t melt away.
The second coating gives snowball cookies their characteristic bright white exterior and classic holiday appearance. It also enhances the flavor, adding a soft sweetness to balance the buttery, slightly salty interior. Don’t hold back here. Roll each cookie generously, even sprinkling a little more sugar on top if needed.
If you want to take the look a step further, sift a final dusting of powdered sugar over the cookies using a fine-mesh sieve right before serving. This not only improves presentation but ensures every bite delivers that familiar sweet burst.
Using this two-stage rolling technique is what separates a decent snowball cookie from one that looks and tastes bakery-worthy. It’s a simple step, but when done right, it transforms the final result.
Snowball Cookies Recipe Variations to Try
Nut-Free Snowball Cookies
While many traditional snowball cookies include ground pecans, walnuts, or almonds, this recipe proves that you can skip the nuts and still enjoy that melt-in-your-mouth texture. For those with nut allergies or simply looking for a smoother cookie bite, a nut-free version is a perfect alternative.
The key to creating a rich, satisfying texture without nuts lies in using custard powder or cornstarch, which helps maintain structure and tenderness. This version is especially great for families with young kids, school-friendly events, or holiday platters where allergens are a concern.
You can also add extra vanilla or a touch of almond extract (if no one is allergic) to deepen the flavor and mimic the richness that nuts usually provide. Don’t worry about the cookies losing their classic look. The double sugar coating and buttery dough ensure they’ll still taste just as indulgent.
Gluten-Free and Vegan Options
Adapting a snowball cookies recipe for dietary needs doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or texture. With a few simple ingredient swaps, you can easily make gluten-free or vegan snowball cookies that everyone will enjoy.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to help hold the cookies together. Avoid single-flour substitutes like almond or coconut flour, which can drastically alter the texture and structure.
For vegan snowball cookies, use plant-based butter in place of dairy butter. Stick with brands designed for baking that have a similar fat content to real butter. Also, check that your powdered sugar is vegan-friendly, as some brands use animal-derived filtering agents during processing.
To boost richness in both versions, you can experiment with natural flavor enhancers like vanilla bean paste or a splash of orange zest. These additions give a pop of flavor while staying true to the spirit of the original recipe.
Whether you’re making cookies for a gathering with diverse dietary needs or simply experimenting, these variations prove that snowball cookies can be enjoyed by everyone without losing their charm.
Storing and Preserving Snowball Cookies
Best Containers and Storage Tips
One of the best things about snowball cookies, aside from their irresistible flavor, is how well they keep over time. With the right storage methods, these cookies can maintain their texture and taste for up to a week, making them ideal for advance holiday baking or gifting.
After your cookies have cooled completely and received their final coating of powdered sugar, it’s crucial to store them in an airtight container. Choose a container with a secure seal to prevent air and moisture from creeping in. Line the bottom of the container with parchment paper, then stack the cookies in single layers, separating each layer with additional parchment paper to avoid the sugar rubbing off or the cookies sticking together.
Keep the container at room temperature, in a cool and dry spot away from direct sunlight or heat. Avoid refrigerating them, as the moisture in the fridge can cause the powdered sugar to melt and ruin their crisp, powdery appearance.
When stored properly, the cookies will remain tender inside and beautifully coated outside, ready to enjoy whenever the craving hits.
Freezing Snowball Cookies Without Losing Texture
If you’re planning to make a large batch or want to prep for a busy holiday season, snowball cookies freeze exceptionally well. There are two effective methods, depending on your timeline and needs.
To freeze baked cookies, allow them to cool fully and roll them in powdered sugar just once. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, let them thaw at room temperature, then roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a fresh, snowy finish.
To freeze unbaked dough, roll it into balls and arrange on a lined tray. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label with the date and baking instructions. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls directly on a lined sheet and bake as directed, adding one to two extra minutes to the baking time. Finish with the double sugar coating after baking and cooling.
Freezing allows you to enjoy homemade snowball cookies anytime without sacrificing quality or flavor. Whether you freeze them before or after baking, these tips ensure your cookies stay just as delicious as the day they were made.
Snowball Cookie Troubleshooting Guide
Why Your Cookies Crumble or Flatten
If your snowball cookies are crumbling too much, it’s often due to too much flour or under-creamed butter. Make sure to properly cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, and measure flour accurately, don’t pack it into the cup.
Flattening during baking is another common problem. This usually happens when the dough is too warm. Chill your dough balls for 15 minutes before baking and make sure your oven is fully preheated. Avoid using low-fat or overly soft butter, which can affect structure.
How to Fix Common Dough Problems
For dry or crumbly dough, add a teaspoon of milk or cream at a time until it holds together. If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate it for 15 to 20 minutes before shaping. Always roll dough balls of even size, around 18g-to ensure consistent baking.
A few quick adjustments make the difference between frustrating results and perfect snowball cookies every time.
Creative Ways to Serve and Gift Snowball Cookies
Packaging Ideas for Holidays and Events
Snowball cookies aren’t just a treat to eat—they’re a joy to share. Their snowy, festive appearance makes them perfect for gifting during holidays, birthdays, or winter parties. One of the best ways to present them is in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon or twine. Add a personalized tag with the name of the cookies and a short message, and you’ve got an easy, thoughtful gift.
Small tins or mason jars also work beautifully. Layer the cookies carefully with parchment paper to avoid smudging the powdered sugar, then seal the container tight. For a more rustic look, wrap a piece of fabric or paper around the lid and secure it with a ribbon. You can even include a copy of your snowball cookies recipe as a bonus.
If you’re gifting to a crowd, consider using compartmentalized cookie boxes with a few different types of cookies, placing snowball cookies in their own section to protect their coating.
These simple yet charming ideas turn a homemade treat into a heartfelt gift that feels festive and intentional.
Unique Serving Suggestions and Pairings
While snowball cookies are perfect on their own, they can also shine as part of a dessert spread. Try arranging them on a holiday cookie platter alongside gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and chocolate crinkles. Their powdered sugar finish adds visual variety and balance.
You can also serve them with hot drinks like coffee, hot cocoa, or spiced tea. The buttery texture and mild sweetness pair perfectly with warm, cozy beverages, especially on cold days.
For special occasions, consider stacking snowball cookies in a pyramid shape on a decorative cake stand or tiered tray. Dust with a bit more powdered sugar right before serving for extra visual impact. The result looks like a snowy mountain of goodness—sure to draw compliments from guests.
Whether served at a party or given as a thoughtful gift, snowball cookies add warmth, charm, and flavor to any occasion.
Expert Tips for the Best Snowball Cookies Recipe
Measuring Ingredients Correctly
Precision matters in baking, especially with delicate cookies like snowballs. Always use a kitchen scale when possible. For flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping directly from the bag, which can lead to compacted, dry dough. When measuring powdered sugar, sifting first ensures even texture and helps avoid clumping in the dough.
Butter should be room temperature but not melted. If it’s too soft or oily, the dough may spread too much. A good test? Press your finger gently into the butter—it should leave an indent without sinking all the way through.
These small adjustments during prep can make a big difference in the final result.
Choosing the Right Flour and Butter
Not all flours behave the same. Stick with all-purpose flour for the classic crumb texture. Avoid bread flour, which is too strong, or cake flour, which can make cookies overly soft and fragile.
For the richest flavor, use unsalted butter with a high fat content. This gives the cookies a luxurious mouthfeel and ensures you have full control over the salt level. If you only have salted butter, simply reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid overpowering the sweetness.
Avoid butter substitutes or margarine, which often contain water and can throw off the balance of the dough, leading to greasy or overly soft cookies.
By focusing on these core techniques and ingredient choices, you’ll bake snowball cookies that look stunning and taste even better.
Conclusion
Snowball cookies are more than just a holiday classic—they’re a celebration of simple ingredients, nostalgic flavors, and the joy of homemade baking. With their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and signature snowy coating, these cookies offer timeless charm for every occasion.
Whether you stick to the traditional version or try out a gluten-free, vegan, or nut-filled twist, the snowball cookies recipe is easy to master and fun to personalize. From prepping the dough to that satisfying final roll in powdered sugar, each step brings you closer to a batch of cookies that are as delightful to share as they are to eat.
So go ahead, make a double batch. Store some, freeze some, gift a few—and enjoy the smiles they bring. These cookies don’t just taste good, they create memories.
