Introduction:
Snow Balls are delightful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies perfect for the holiday season or any time you’re craving a sweet treat. These buttery cookies coated in powdered sugar resemble little snowballs, making them a festive addition to any dessert table.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for coating
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.)
Directions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mixing the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the bowl, mixing until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shaping the Cookies:
- Take a small amount of dough (about a teaspoonful) and roll it between your palms to form a small ball.
- Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Baking:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 12 to 15 minutes or until they are set but not browned.
- Coating:
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the sheet.
- While the cookies are still warm, roll them gently in powdered sugar until they are coated all over, resembling snowballs. Alternatively, you can place some powdered sugar in a shallow dish and roll the cookies in it.
- Cooling:
- Once coated, transfer the snowball cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Additional Coating:
- Once fully cooled, you can give them an additional coating of powdered sugar if desired.
Nutritional Information:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 120 kcal per serving (2 cookies)
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Dessert
- Category: Cookies
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Resources:
Conclusion:
These Snow Balls are not only delicious but also fun to make, especially during the holiday season. With their festive appearance and irresistible flavor, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy these delightful treats with a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite warm beverage.
FAQs:
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
- Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to balance the flavor.
- Can I omit the nuts from the recipe?
- Yes, you can omit the nuts if you have allergies or simply prefer not to include them. The cookies will still be delicious without them.
- How should I store leftover Snow Balls?
- Store leftover Snow Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?
- Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag or container and store them for up to three months. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Can I use a different type of sugar for coating the cookies?
- Yes, you can use granulated sugar or sanding sugar for coating the cookies if you prefer. However, powdered sugar works best for achieving the snowy appearance.
