Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are buttery, tender treats coated in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar blend. These delightful cookies are perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a hint of warmth from cinnamon.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (50g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for the dough)
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
4. Step 4: If using nuts, fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
6. Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookie bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale. Avoid overbaking.
7. Step 7: While the cookies bake, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl to prepare the coating.
8. Step 8: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
9. Step 9: While still warm, roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
10. Step 10: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans or walnuts without affecting flavor or texture.
• Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the dough for extra warmth and spice.
• Use finely ground almonds instead of nuts for a subtle flavor and softer texture.
• Roll cookies in powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar for a classic snowball cookie finish.

Storage

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them longer, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Reheat gently in a low oven or enjoy thawed at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.

Why are my snowball cookies crumbly?

Snowball cookies are tender by nature, but if they crumble excessively, make sure you are measuring flour accurately and not overbaking, which can dry them out.

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 50 reviews

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are tender, buttery cookies rolled in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar coating that adds a delightful sweetness and spice. These melt-in-your-mouth treats are perfect for holiday baking or any cozy occasion, featuring optional chopped nuts for added texture and nuttiness.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for the dough)
• 1/2 cup (50g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step ensures a tender cookie.
3. Add vanilla extract: Mix in the vanilla extract to the butter mixture to enhance the flavor complexity of the cookies.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
5. Fold in nuts: If using, gently fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts to add crunch and flavor.
6. Shape cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
7. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale. Watch carefully to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the cookies.
8. Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: While the cookies bake, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl to create the coating.
9. Cool and coat cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. While still warm, roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
10. Final cooling: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.
11. Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage to maintain freshness.

Notes

• For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or walnuts.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure cookies don’t stick.
• For an extra touch, dust additional cinnamon sugar on top after the cookies have cooled.
• These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Be careful not to overbake to keep cookies soft and tender.

Keywords: Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies, Snowball Cookies, Cinnamon Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Butter Cookies, Nut Cookies