Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe

The Fluffiest Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe Ever

Baking these delightful walnut snowball cookies transports me to cozy winter afternoons filled with sweet memories.

Powdery sugar cascades over perfectly rounded treats that melt in your mouth.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a delectable contrast everyone adores.

Nuts provide a rich, earthy crunch that balances the gentle sweetness.

Simple ingredients combine into magic you can craft in minutes.

Comfort wraps around each bite like a warm embrace.

Come along and transform your kitchen into a delicious wonderland of festive delight.

Snowball Cookies That Melt with Buttery Walnut Sweetness

  • Quick and Simple Prep: Whip up these delightful walnut snowball cookies with minimal effort, perfect for novice bakers seeking an easy and foolproof recipe.
  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Experience a heavenly, delicate cookie that crumbles softly with each bite, delivering a rich buttery walnut flavor that's absolutely irresistible.
  • Festive and Versatile Treat: Ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet surprise for friends and family, these snowball cookies bring joy and comfort in every serving.
  • Customize with Ease: Experiment with different nuts like pecans or almonds, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon to create your own unique twist on this classic cookie recipe.

Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Fine powder for cookie structure.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances overall cookie flavor.
Nuts:
  • Walnuts: Crunchy and rich nutty addition to cookies.
Fat and Sweeteners:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookies.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet coating for cookies.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet aromatic note to cookies.

How to Prepare Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Set your oven to warm up at 350°F.

Step 2: Mix Cookie Base

In a mixing bowl, combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Finely chopped walnuts
  • Softened unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Blend ingredients until they create a crumbly, soft texture that holds together when pressed.

Step 3: Shape Cookie Dough

Gently roll small portions of dough between your palms to create smooth, round balls. Make sure each ball is uniform in size for even baking.

Step 4: Chill Cookie Spheres

Place cookie balls on prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling helps cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place chilled cookie balls in preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn light golden brown. Cookies will look slightly soft but will firm up while cooling.

Step 6: Dust With Powdered Sugar

Once cookies have cooled for 5 minutes, carefully roll each one in powdered sugar. For extra sweetness, roll them a second time after initial coating.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer cookies to a serving platter. These delicate treats are perfect with coffee or tea and make wonderful gifts for friends and family.

  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate or freeze dough balls before baking to prevent spreading and maintain a compact, beautiful shape.
  • Choose Quality Nuts: Select fresh, crisp walnuts and chop them finely for even distribution and a consistent texture throughout the cookies.
  • Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookies in powdered sugar while slightly warm for better sugar adherence and a more elegant, even white finish.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Storage Wisdom: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Wrap Snowball Cookies to Keep Them Buttery

  • Store cooled snowball cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep layers separated to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 7 days, maintaining their delicate texture and buttery flavor.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to preserve their crumbly consistency.
  • Preheat oven to 275°F. Arrange cookies on a baking sheet, warming for 5-7 minutes. This gentle heat helps restore their original softness without compromising the powdered sugar coating.
  • Remove cookies from storage and let sit uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Dust with fresh powdered sugar to refresh their classic snowball appearance and enhance their sweet, nutty taste.

Butternut Squash Bites Pairing Matches

  • Elevate Sweet Indulgence: Perfect Pairings
  • Brew Rich Espresso: A bold, rich espresso cuts through the cookie's buttery sweetness, creating a perfect balance of flavors that dance on your palate.
  • Complement Nutty Notes: Pair with a glass of creamy hazelnut liqueur to enhance the walnut's earthy undertones and add depth to the cookie's delicate texture.
  • Create Winter Warmth: Serve alongside a steaming mug of vanilla-infused hot chocolate, allowing the cookie's powdery sugar to melt deliciously into the warm drink.
  • Toast Festive Moment: Enjoy with a small pour of aged bourbon, whose caramel and oak hints beautifully complement the cookie's buttery, nutty profile.

Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini Styles

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a similar texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Nut-Free Alternative: Swap walnuts with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds to accommodate nut allergies while maintaining the cookie's crumbly texture.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Use coconut oil instead of butter and replace sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup, creating a plant-based friendly option that maintains the classic snowball cookie experience.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the cookie's delicate structure and sweet appeal.

FAQs

  • Why are my cookies crumbly?

Crumbly cookies often result from too much flour or not enough butter. Ensure you measure ingredients precisely and use softened butter at room temperature for better binding.

  • Can I use a different nut instead of walnuts?

Absolutely! Pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts work great as substitutes. Each nut will bring a unique flavor to the snowball cookies.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough before baking is crucial. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes to help the cookies maintain their round shape and prevent excessive spreading.

  • What's the best way to create a perfect powdered sugar coating?

Roll the cookies while they’re still warm but not hot. This helps the sugar stick better. Do a double roll – first when warm, then again after 5 minutes for a thicker, more even coating.

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Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe

Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Delicate walnut snowball cookies melt in your mouth with European charm. Powdered sugar-dusted delights offer a perfect winter treat that brings sweet comfort to your holiday table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups (5 sticks) unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (or toasted pecans)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (120g or 4 1/4 ounces)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Flavor Enhancer:

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Create a uniform dough by blending flour, finely chopped walnuts, room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt in a mixing bowl until it reaches a crumbly, cohesive texture.
  2. Gently shape the mixture into compact, uniform spheres using your palms, ensuring each ball is roughly the same size for consistent baking.
  3. Refrigerate the formed dough balls for approximately 30-40 minutes to help them maintain their shape and develop a more concentrated flavor profile.
  4. Position the chilled dough balls on a lightly greased baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow proper heat circulation during baking.
  5. Transfer the baking sheet to a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges as an indication of doneness.
  6. Remove the cookies and allow them to rest on the baking tray for 3-4 minutes, enabling them to firm up slightly without overcooking.
  7. While still warm but not hot, delicately roll each cookie in powdered sugar, creating a light, even coating that resembles a soft winter landscape.
  8. After the initial sugar coating, let the cookies cool completely, then perform a second roll in powdered sugar for a more generous, elegant finish.
  9. Arrange the finished walnut snowball cookies on a serving platter, ready to melt in eager mouths and delight taste buds.

Notes

  • Toasting walnuts beforehand intensifies their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to these delicate cookies.
  • For gluten-free options, swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour to maintain the tender texture.
  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfectly round, melt-in-your-mouth snowball shape.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating and prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 162
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 30 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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