Dreamy Lemon Snowball Cookies Recipe: Sweet & Zesty Bliss

Soft, buttery lemon snowball cookies melt with zesty charm on your palate.

Powdered sugar creates a delicate winter landscape across each tender morsel.

Citrus notes dance through classic shortbread textures, surprising even seasoned bakers.

Mediterranean lemons infuse these delightful treats with bright, unexpected complexity.

Simple ingredients transform into elegant desserts that whisper sophisticated comfort.

Light crumbs collapse gracefully when touched, revealing concentrated bursts of sunny flavor.

We promise these cookies will become your new favorite afternoon companion.

FAQs

• What gives these cookies their unique lemon flavor?

The lemon zest and fresh lemon juice provide a bright, citrusy taste that sets these snowball cookies apart from traditional versions, adding a refreshing and tangy twist to the classic buttery cookie.

• Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use bottled lemon juice. Just ensure it’s 100% pure lemon juice without added preservatives for the most authentic taste.

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

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking. This helps the butter firm up and prevents the cookies from spreading too much, ensuring they maintain their classic round snowball shape.

• Why do I roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?

The first roll coats the warm cookies, and the second roll after cooling creates an extra thick, snowy layer that gives these cookies their signature “snowball” appearance and adds a delightful sweet dusting.

Snowball Cookies with a Zing of Fresh Lemon

• Quick Family Dessert: Whip up these delightful lemon snowball cookies in minutes, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Straightforward recipe requires basic ingredients and simple techniques, making it ideal for novice bakers wanting to create delicious treats.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: These melt-in-your-mouth cookies work wonderfully for casual gatherings, holiday parties, or afternoon tea with friends and family.
• Zesty Seasonal Delight: Bright lemon flavor adds a refreshing twist to traditional snowball cookies, bringing a burst of sunshine to any dessert spread.

Lemon Snowball Cookies What You’ll Need

• Butter: Softens easily for a smooth cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light cookie.
• Flour: Creates the base structure of the snowball cookies.
• Lemon Zest: Adds bright, citrusy flavor to the cookies.

• Lemon Juice: Enhances the citrus flavor in the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out other flavors.

• Powdered Sugar: Gives the classic snowball cookie appearance and extra sweetness.

Lemon Snowball Cookies Baking Instructions

Step 1: Whip Up the Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend softened butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Whip until the mixture becomes incredibly light, fluffy, and pale. The key is to create a smooth, airy foundation for your cookies that will melt in your mouth.

Step 2: Infuse Lemony Brightness

• Freshly grated lemon zest
• Bright lemon juice
• A pinch of salt

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are perfectly combined, creating a vibrant, fragrant mixture that promises a burst of citrusy goodness.

Step 3: Form the Dough

Gradually fold in flour, stirring gently until a soft, pliable dough emerges. The texture should be smooth and easy to handle, not too sticky or too dry.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into small, uniform balls about 1 inch in diameter. Arrange the balls carefully on the baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for subtle golden edges that signal the cookies are done. The cookies should look delicate and barely touched by color.

Step 6: Create the Snowy Finish

Allow the cookies to cool slightly but still be warm. Gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar, creating a delicate white coating. Once completely cooled, give them a second roll in powdered sugar for an extra frosty, snowball-like appearance.

Snowball Cookie Tips with Bright Lemon Flavor

• Zest with Care: Use fresh, organic lemons for the most vibrant citrus flavor, gently scraping only the yellow part of the peel to avoid bitter white pith.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly round cookies with clean edges.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Sift powdered sugar for a smoother, more even coating that beautifully covers the entire cookie surface without clumps.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Storage Wisdom: Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

Preserve Lemon Snowball Cookies Easily

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, keeping their delicate texture and lemony flavor intact.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Keep in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat for 2-3 days, ensuring cookies remain crisp and fresh.
• Warm gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes, then dust with fresh powdered sugar to restore their snowy appearance and soft texture.

Lemon Snowball Cookies Snack Matches

• Pair with Refreshing Lemon Iced Tea: Brew a crisp, cold lemon-infused tea that complements the cookies' bright citrus flavor and provides a cool, tangy contrast.
• Create a Lavender Honey Drizzle: Enhance the delicate lemon cookies by drizzling a light lavender-infused honey that adds subtle floral notes and extra sweetness.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Mascarpone Dip: Serve a smooth, rich vanilla mascarpone dip alongside the cookies for a luxurious and indulgent pairing that balances the cookies' light texture.
• Select Chilled Prosecco: Pour a glass of sparkling Prosecco to elevate the dessert experience, with its bubbly, light characteristics perfectly matching the delicate lemon snowball cookies.

Lemon Snowball Cookie Tangy Variants

• Gluten-Free Lemon Snowball Cookies: Replace traditional flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicate texture and zesty lemon flavor.
• Vegan Lemon Snowball Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine and use a plant-based egg substitute like ground flaxseed to create a dairy-free and egg-free cookie that's equally soft and lemony.
• Low-Sugar Lemon Snowball Cookies: Reduce granulated sugar and use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, keeping the bright citrus notes while cutting down on overall sugar content for a lighter treat.
• Orange Variation: Substitute lemon zest and juice with orange zest and juice for a different citrus profile that brings a sunny, sweet alternative to the classic lemon snowball cookie.

Lemon Snowball Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Melt-in-your-mouth lemon snowball cookies bring Mediterranean sunshine to classic holiday treats. Powdered sugar-dusted rounds deliver zesty citrus charm with buttery richness that delights winter gatherings and sweet-craving companions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for the dough)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• Zest of 1 large lemon
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh lemon juice

Seasoning Ingredient:

• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) salt

Coating:

• Additional powdered sugar for coating

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine softened butter and granulated sugar in a spacious mixing vessel, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous with a pale, creamy consistency.
2. Incorporate finely grated lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, blending thoroughly to distribute the citrusy essence evenly throughout the mixture.
3. Gradually fold in flour, gently stirring until a tender, cohesive dough emerges, being careful not to overmix and maintain a delicate texture.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for the delicate cookies.
5. Delicately form the dough into small, uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter, positioning them with gentle spacing to allow for slight expansion during baking.
6. Transfer the cookie-laden sheet to the preheated oven, allowing the treats to bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges develop a subtle golden hue, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Remove from the oven and permit the cookies to cool momentarily, just enough to handle comfortably without burning.
8. Gently enrobe each warm cookie in a generous dusting of powdered sugar, creating a pristine, snow-like exterior.
9. Once completely cooled, repeat the powdered sugar coating to achieve an extra-luxurious, frost-like finish that mimics a winter wonderland.

Notes

• Swap out butter for plant-based alternatives to create a vegan version of these delightful snowball cookies.
• Experiment with different citrus zests like orange or lime to create unique flavor variations that complement the classic lemon profile.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly round, uniform cookies that maintain their snowball shape during baking.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to preserve their delicate powdered sugar coating and maintain maximum freshness for up to a week.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 110
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 25 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg