Snowball cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, or butterballs, are a delightful and classic holiday cookie. They are known for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, nutty flavor. These cookies are quite simple to make and are a favorite during the winter holiday season. Here’s a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Stir in the finely chopped nuts. The dough will be quite crumbly at first, but continue mixing until it comes together.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- While they are still warm but not hot, roll the cookies in powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly. You can do this by placing some powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and rolling the cookies in it.
- Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, the powdered sugar coating may become less visible, so you can roll them in powdered sugar again for a thicker coating if desired.
- Once completely cooled, store the snowball cookies in an airtight container. They will keep well for several days.
Enjoy your homemade snowball cookies with a cup of tea or coffee, or share them with friends and family during the holiday season. They make a wonderful addition to any cookie platter.
