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Baking these Cinnamon Snowball Cookies during holidays brings me so much joy. There's something truly special about these buttery treats as they dissolve on your tongue, leaving that cozy cinnamon flavor behind. I've tweaked this recipe through many Christmas seasons, and I still grin when I see friends' delight upon their first bite.
Why You'll Adore These Delightful Cookies
These little snowballs have become my holiday favorite because they're wonderfully easy yet impressive. With just seven basic ingredients and around 30 minutes, you'll have a delicious batch ready. The combo of buttery richness and warm cinnamon can't be beat. And I love that I can make them days ahead and pop them in the freezer—such a time-saver when the holidays get crazy!
Your Ingredient List
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups, giving these cookies their soft, delicate structure.
- Butter: 1 cup (let it soften at room temperature so it mixes easily).
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon to add that lovely sweet aroma.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon to enhance all the flavors.
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon, mixed with powdered sugar for that snowy, spiced coating.
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup for the cookie mix plus extra for rolling (sift it for best results).
- Pecans: 1 cup, chopped into tiny bits for that wonderful nutty crunch.
Baking Steps
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
- In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Roll the slightly cooled cookies in this mixture until they're fully covered. Once they've cooled completely, roll them again for an extra thick, sweet layer.
- Bake
- Put them in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 12-14 minutes until you see light golden color on the bottoms. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after coming out.
- Shape the Cookies
- Roll small portions of dough into 1-inch balls and set them on your parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping them about an inch apart.
- Prepare the Dough
- Mix 1 cup of soft butter with ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until it's fluffy and light. Then add 2 cups flour, 1 cup finely chopped pecans, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir until it comes together—it'll look a bit crumbly but should stick when pressed.
Insider Tricks
I've found that butter at just the right softness really makes these cookies perfect. Don't mix the dough too much or you'll lose that melt-in-your-mouth quality. My best trick is double-coating them in the sugar mix—it creates this amazing sweet layer that just melts away as you bite in.
Storage Smarts
You can keep these treats in a sealed container for about 3 days at room temp or up to a week if refrigerated. I often make extra dough balls to freeze so I can pop them in the oven whenever guests show up unexpectedly. The finished cookies freeze really well too—just let them sit out at room temp before serving.
Fun Variations
Don't be afraid to switch things up with this recipe. Sometimes I swap in walnuts for the pecans or add some cocoa for a chocolatey twist. My friend who can't have nuts loves the nut-free version just as much. Adding a tiny bit of nutmeg really brings out that warm, cozy winter feeling.
Holiday Memories
These snowballs have grown into a cherished part of my holiday customs. Something about their gentle sweetness and warm spiciness seems to pull everyone together. I often pack them as presents—they're like sending a small piece of holiday cheer to those I care about.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap out the nuts?
- Absolutely, finely chopped walnuts make a great alternative to pecans. Just make sure they're chopped really small.
- → How long will they stay fresh?
- They'll last about 3 days at room temp, up to a week in the fridge, or a month frozen if you store them in a sealed container.
- → Why does my dough fall apart?
- Don't worry, some crumbling is typical for this recipe. The dough should still stick together when you form it into balls.
- → Can I make them ahead and freeze?
- Sure thing, you can freeze them before or after baking. If you freeze them after baking, wait to add the sugar coating until they're thawed.
- → Why wait before adding the coating?
- The 5-minute cooling time lets the cookies firm up enough to handle but keeps them warm enough for the sugar mix to stick properly.