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Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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