There’s something utterly magical about these melt-in-your-mouth treats that makes everyone smile: our Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe is an absolute showstopper, filled with buttery goodness and a delightful crunch from nuts, all perfectly dusted with a warm cinnamon sugar coating. Each bite transports you to cozy moments and festive gatherings, making these cookies a timeless favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity—each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in crafting the perfect texture and flavor balance. From the rich buttery base to the sweet cinnamon sugar dusting, these components come together to create a cookie that’s soft, nutty, and irresistibly fragrant.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a creamy, tender base that melts in your mouth.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The structural backbone that keeps the cookies tender yet sturdy.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans): Gives a delightful crunch and earthy undertones.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: The perfect sugar for the cinnamon coating that adds a little sparkle and sweet crispness.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: Brings that warm, spicy essence that defines these snowball cookies.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and slide effortlessly off the tray when ready.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar. Mixing for about 2 to 3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy will build a creamy base that’s key for delicate, tender cookies.
Step 3: Add Vanilla
Next, stir in the vanilla extract, which introduces that classic warmth that ties the entire cookie flavor together beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter blend to avoid overmixing and ensure a soft dough that’s ready for folding.
Step 5: Fold in Nuts
Gently incorporate the chopped walnuts or pecans. These nuts add a satisfying crunch and an earthy note that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
With clean hands or a cookie scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined pan. This spacing allows the cookies to maintain their perfect shape while baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until the bottoms turn a soft golden brown but the tops stay pale. This ensures the cookies remain tender and light like fresh snowballs.
Step 8: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While your cookies are baking, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This aromatic mixture is critical for that signature outer coat of the Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe.
Step 9: Coat the Warm Cookies
Once baked, let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll each warm cookie gently in the cinnamon sugar. Doing this while still warm helps the sugar stick beautifully, building that classic dusted look and flavor.
Step 10: Cool Completely
Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool fully. This step ensures they firm up just enough to handle without losing that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an elegant touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra cinnamon sugar over the cookies just before serving, or dust with a little powdered sugar for a snowy effect that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with cozy drinks like hot cocoa, chai tea, or a steaming cup of coffee—perfect companions for enjoying their warm cinnamon charm.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a pretty tin lined with wax paper for a gift-ready presentation, or serve them stacked on a festive platter with seasonal fruits and nuts to impress guests at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and perfectly tender for up to a week, ready to brighten your day whenever a sweet craving hits.
Freezing
If you want to save these delicious cookies for later, freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To bring frozen cookies back to life, let them thaw at room temperature, or warm them gently in a low oven for a few minutes to restore their softness and aroma—like they just came out of the oven again.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts or pecans?
Absolutely! Almonds, hazelnuts, or even macadamia nuts would work wonderfully in this Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe, just chop them finely to blend smoothly into the dough.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The classic recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to suit dietary needs—just keep an eye on texture adjustments.
How do I make these cookies nut-free?
Simply omit the nuts and perhaps add a bit more flour if the dough feels too soft. The cookies will still be deliciously buttery and soft without them.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Just shape and bake when you’re ready, you might find that chilling helps deepen the flavors too.
Why do the cookies stay pale on top but golden underneath?
This is exactly how they should turn out! It signals that the cookies are tender and buttery inside while having a slightly crisp, golden base for texture contrast.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about the Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether it’s a holiday season favorite or a sweet treat any time of year, I can’t encourage you enough to give these cookies a try. Once you bake them, I promise they’ll become a beloved staple in your kitchen, bringing smiles and that wonderful scent of cinnamon and butter to your home.
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 15m
- Total Time: 0h 30m
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are buttery, tender cookies loaded with chopped nuts and generously coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. These classic holiday treats offer a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture and a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, making them an irresistible snack or dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking, ensuring even baking and easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Mix the vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar until it is fully combined, enhancing the cookie’s flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour before gradual incorporation.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Nuts: Gently fold the chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough to ensure even distribution without breaking the nuts too much.
- Form Cookies: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow room for gentle spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms turn lightly golden brown while the tops remain pale, indicating perfect doneness with a soft, tender interior.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While the cookies bake, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together in a small bowl for the flavorful coating.
- Coat Cookies: After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, while still warm, roll each cookie gently in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated, creating a sweet and aromatic crust.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely to set the coating and ensure they maintain their delicate texture before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming with the sugar.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or other nuts of your choice.
- Make sure to not overbake; the cookies should be pale on top with a lightly golden bottom.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week for optimal freshness.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze uncoated cookie balls and coat with cinnamon sugar after thawing and baking.
