Description
These Cherry Snowball Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring buttery dough packed with finely chopped maraschino cherries and nuts, rolled in powdered sugar for a festive finish. Perfectly tender and lightly golden, they offer a sweet, crumbly bite ideal for sharing during the holidays or as a charming dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to infuse a rich, sweet aroma into the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Cherries and Nuts: Gently fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries and the chopped pecans or walnuts if using, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Form Cookie Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes or until the bottoms are just lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft.
- Cool and Roll in Sugar: Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then roll them in powdered sugar while they are still slightly warm to coat them completely.
- Final Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a snowy, festive finish before serving.
Notes
- Use well-drained maraschino cherries to prevent excess moisture which can affect the dough consistency and baking results.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- If you prefer nut-free, simply omit the pecans or walnuts without sacrificing texture.
- Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar gives them their classic snowball look and adds sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
