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Almond Snowball Christmas Cookies

Almond Snowball Christmas Cookies

These festive little cookies dusted in powdered sugar look like fresh snowballs and bring a touch of magic to every holiday table. Simple, nostalgic, and irresistibly tender, they’re the ultimate Christmas cookie classic.
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Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened – gives that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • ½ cup powdered sugar – sweetens the dough plus extra for rolling.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds warmth and depth.
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour – provides structure.
  • ½ teaspoon salt – balances sweetness.
  • 1 cup finely chopped almonds – toasted for extra flavor substitute with pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts if desired.
  • Additional powdered sugar – for rolling after baking.
  • Substitutions & Tips:
  • Swap gluten-free flour blend 1:1 for a GF version.
  • Use almond extract ¼ tsp for a stronger almond flavor.
  • If you’re out of almonds try pecans for a Southern twist or hazelnuts for a Nutella-inspired flavor.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat & Prepare
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Cream the Butter & Sugar
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Mix in Dry Ingredients
  • Gradually add flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
  • Add the Nuts
  • Stir in finely chopped almonds until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Shape the Cookies
  • Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  • Bake Until Set
  • Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the cookies feel set to the touch. They should remain pale on top.
  • Cool & Roll in Sugar
  • Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. While still warm, roll them gently in powdered sugar and place on a wire rack to finish cooling.
  • Second Sugar Coating
  • Once completely cooled, roll cookies in powdered sugar again for that signature snowy look.
Keyword Almond Snowball Christmas Cookies
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