Snowball cookies, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, are delightful buttery cookies coated in powdered sugar. Here’s a simple recipe to make these delicious treats:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for coating
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work well)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Vanilla:
- Add the vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix well.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
5. Gradually Add Flour Mixture:
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Add Nuts:
- Fold in the finely chopped nuts until evenly distributed in the dough.
7. Shape Cookies:
- Take small portions of the dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each.
8. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should not brown.
9. Cool:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
10. Coat with Powdered Sugar:
- While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat generously. Place them back on the wire rack to cool completely.
11. Second Coating (Optional):
- Once cooled, you can give the cookies a second coating of powdered sugar for a snowy appearance.
12. Serve:
- Serve these delicious snowball cookies on a festive platter and enjoy!
These Snowball Cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you crave a melt-in-your-mouth buttery treat. Adjust the amount of powdered sugar to coat based on your preference. Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll keep well for several days.