Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies: A Sweet Holiday Treat Recipe

Introduction

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. These buttery cookies are rolled in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar coating, creating a sweet and comforting flavor that’s hard to resist. Easy to make and wonderfully festive, they’re sure to become a favorite in your cookie collection.

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 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. If using, fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5. Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale. Avoid overbaking.
6. Step 6: While the cookies bake, mix the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl for the coating.
7. Step 7: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
8. Step 8: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape better.
• Try rolling the finished cookies in powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar for a classic snowball cookie look.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months. Reheat briefly at room temperature before serving if desired.

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 avoid overly salty cookies.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and consider chilling the dough before baking to prevent excessive spreading.

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies: A Sweet Holiday Treat Recipe

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Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are a delightful holiday treat characterized by their buttery, tender texture and a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. These classic cookies feature a soft interior with a hint of warm cinnamon, optionally complemented by finely chopped nuts, making them perfect for festive occasions or any time you crave a comforting sweet snack.

• Author: Lena
• 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

Cookie Dough

• 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)

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 the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a tender cookie texture.
3. Add Vanilla Extract: Mix in the vanilla extract thoroughly to infuse the dough with a sweet, aromatic flavor.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground cinnamon until combined to evenly distribute the spice and salt throughout the flour.
5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. If you choose to use nuts, fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts now.
6. Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for slight spreading during baking.
7. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale. This ensures they are cooked through but still tender.
8. Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: While the cookies bake, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl to prepare the coating.
9. Coat the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, carefully roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
10. Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies onto a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the coating to set properly.
11. Store Properly: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage to maintain freshness and flavor.

Notes

• For added crunch and flavor, finely chopped pecans or walnuts are optional but highly recommended.
• Be careful not to overbake the cookies to keep them tender and not dry.
• Rolling the cookies in cinnamon sugar while warm ensures the coating sticks well.
• These cookies store well in an airtight container, making them perfect for holiday gift-giving or prep ahead of time.
• Freezing the cookies can preserve freshness for up to 3 months.

Keywords: Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Soft Cinnamon Cookies, Nut Cookies, Festive Treats