Merry Christmas y’all! I thought this week called for sharing a classic Christmas recipe (and story). These cookies were an essential part of Christmas when we were growing up. Every year my parents re-tell the story of little me – probably four years old – stuffing one of these cookies into my face and then trying to talk. Instead of any actual words coming out, I got the giggles because, as everyone knows, you can’t talk with a snowball cookie in your mouth. Giggles devolved into four-year-old me drooling powdered sugar dust down my chin and onto my red Christmas dress. It’s one of those classic family get-together stories that gets retold around this time each year.
These cookies are perfect for making with kids – you can have them roll the cookie dough into balls and even roll them in the confectioner’s sugar once they’ve cooled. I always loved getting my hands dirty in the kitchen and helping my mom roll these cuties in powdered sugar – it always meant we got to “taste-test” a few extras while we made them.
This recipe is for a very large batch of cookies – perfect for taking to a cookie exchange, church gathering, or school event. If you’re looking to just share with your family, the recipe can easily be halved. Cookies do not rise at all, so whatever shape you roll them into is the same shape they’ll be when they come out of the oven. I like snowballs that aren’t completely perfect. Be sure to watch them carefully especially at the end of their baking time. Cookies will just barely turn light brown when they’re finished – I always check the bottoms of the cookies to make sure they’re not burning. Roll in powdered sugar twice and they’re ready to enjoy!
Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 c of Butter softened (4 Sticks)
- 1 c Confectioner's sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla
- 4.5 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 c roughly chopped pecans or walnuts optional
Instructions
- Sift flour and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, thoroughly mix together butter, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in flour and salt mixture until dough forms. Add in nuts if desired.
- Chill dough in the fridge for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Roll into 1 inch balls. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 10-12 minutes. Watch cookies carefully as they're quick to burn. Cookies are done when they're just slightly turning light brown - you'll think they need more time. Don't be fooled. Check the bottoms before you leave them in longer to be sure you're not burning them.
- Remove from the oven, let cool until you can handle them comfortably, then roll in confectioner's sugar.
- Let cool completely, then roll in sugar one more time.