These Walnut Snowball Cookies are buttery, nutty, and covered in a blanket of powdered sugar, perfect for holiday baking! Whether you call them Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, this simple recipe will bring a festive touch to your dessert table.
Nothing says holiday season quite like Walnut Snowball Cookies! These melt-in-your-mouth treats are beloved for their light, crumbly texture and snowy powdered sugar coating. With only a few ingredients, these cookies are easy to make and are perfect for gifting, sharing, or adding to your holiday cookie tray.
Ingredients
To make The Best Walnut Snowball Cookies, you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (or pecans, if preferred)
How to Make the Best Walnut Snowball Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their round shape during baking.
Step 3: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 4: Shape and Bake the Cookies
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops of the cookies should remain pale.
Step 5: Coat in Powdered Sugar
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
- While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Once cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a beautiful snowy finish.
Tips for Making the Best Walnut Snowball Cookies
- Use finely chopped walnuts: Finely chopping the nuts helps them blend seamlessly into the dough.
- Double coat in powdered sugar: Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice gives them the perfect snowy finish.
- Chill the dough: This keeps the cookies from spreading and helps them hold their round shape.
These Walnut Snowball Cookies are a timeless classic that everyone will enjoy. They’re buttery, crumbly, and coated in sweet powdered sugar—making them ideal for any holiday celebration or gift box. With only a few ingredients, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious!