Description
Nut-Free Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats made with creamy butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. These classic cookies are soft, sweet, and perfect for any occasion, especially for those avoiding nuts. The optional mini semi-sweet morsels add a delightful chocolate touch, while the double coating of confectioners’ sugar gives these cookies their characteristic snowy appearance.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet mini morsels (optional)
For Rolling
- 1/2 cup additional confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, 1/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour in three batches, mixing well after each addition until the dough is fully combined. Stir in the semi-sweet mini morsels if you choose to use them.
- Shape the Cookies: Using rounded tablespoons, form the dough into 1-inch balls. Arrange the balls about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, until they are lightly browned but still hold their ball shape without spreading out.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- First Sugar Coating: Pour about 1/2 cup of additional confectioners’ sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each cooled cookie in the sugar, tap off excess, and place back on the cooling rack.
- Set and Second Coating: Allow the cookies to sit for one hour, then roll each cookie once more in the confectioners’ sugar to achieve the classic snowball look.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For best texture, make sure the butter is softened but not melted before mixing.
- Do not grease the baking sheets, as the cookies hold their shape better on an ungreased surface.
- Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar ensures a thick, even coating and authentic appearance.
- Optional mini morsels add a delicious chocolate flavor but can be omitted for a classic plain snowball cookie.
- These cookies are perfect for holiday gifting or anytime you want a nostalgic, comforting treat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 112 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
