Simple Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe

Whether you're on the hunt for easy treats for your holiday cookie exchange or need some simple sweets for your next Christmas party, classic cookie recipes are the way to go. This walnut snowball cookies recipe is perfect for the holidays. Everyone will love the nutty flavor of these rich cookies. And the powdered sugar coating gives them a festive look that is sure to dress up any Christmas spread. 

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What Do I Need to Make Walnut Snowball Cookies?

These classic cookies are made with a handful of simple ingredients. The combination of rich butter and salty nuts make these decadent cookies a favorite holiday treat. To make your own walnut snowball cookies, you'll need:

• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla
• Finely chopped walnuts
• Powdered sugar

How Do I Make Walnut Snowball Cookies?

Making your own homemade snowball cookies couldn't be easier. Just follow these four simple steps to whip up these delicious nut-filled treats with just a few minutes of prep work:

Step One: Prepare the Dough

To prepare the dough for your snowball cookies, start by creaming the butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Next, add the vanilla extract, flour, and walnuts. Mix the ingredients together, scraping the sides as you mix to ensure you get all the ingredients incorporated into the dough.

Step Two: Chill the Cookie Dough

Gather the dough into a ball inside the bowl, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place it into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step Three: Bake the Cookies

When you're ready to start baking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Take the cookie dough out of the refrigerator and use a cookie scoop to spoon the mixture out of the bowl. Roll the dough into a ball between your hands, then place it on the baking sheet. When all the dough has been rolled into balls, bake the cookies for 25 to 30 minutes, until they're slightly golden.

Step Four: Roll the Cookies in Powdered Sugar

When the bake time is up, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. When they're safe to touch, roll each cookie in powdered sugar until it's completely coated, then transfer the cookie to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Snowball Cookies Recipe Tips & Tricks

These classic cookies are perfect for the holidays. That's because they're so simple to make! And with these easy tips, you can prepare these delicious, nutty cookies for each of your holiday get-togethers without any trouble at all.

• Roll the cookies a second time. If your snowball cookies don't look like they're completely coated after they're finished cooking, try giving them a second coat of powdered sugar. When rolling warm cookies in powdered sugar, the sugar can begin to melt slightly. So, if your sugar melted as the cookies cooled, all you have to do is roll them in sugar again. Allow the cookies to cool completely, then roll the cookies in powdered sugar for a second time before serving.
• Use pecans in place of walnuts. Walnuts are a great option for these classic cookies, but they're not the only nuts you can use! Try swapping the walnuts for finely chopped pecans for a different flavor. You can even mix the two nuts together to create a unique holiday treat.

Why Are My Snowball Cookies Dry?

Snowball cookies are traditionally a dry cookie, but if your dough seems to be falling apart before you get it on the baking sheet, you may need to make some adjustments to your dough. One simple way to add moisture to your cookie dough is to add a little bit of milk, one tablespoon at a time. Make sure to thoroughly mix the milk into your dough after each addition, then try to form the dough balls again.

Another way to help make your dough a little more pliable is to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Chilled dough can often be too hard to manipulate, making it fall apart when you try to roll it into a ball. Let the cookie dough sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes, they try scooping and rolling it to see if that helps make the dough easier to work with.

Can You Use a Food Processor to Chop Nuts?

Since this cookie is made with finely chopped nuts, figuring out the easiest way to chop all those walnuts is a must. Using a food processor is a great option for finely chopping your walnuts. But make sure to use this appliance with care. If you over-process your nuts, you could turn them into a paste and make them unusable in your cookie dough. Use the pulse button on your food processor to chop your walnuts, checking the texture after each pulse.

Another easy way to chop your walnuts for your snowball cookies is with the help of a pastry blender. Place your walnuts in a bowl, then use the pastry blender to softly press down on the nuts. The prongs of the pastry blender will easily chop the nuts into smaller pieces.