Almond snowball cookies

These delightful almond snowball cookies are a heavenly treat for your holiday baking! Known by various names, such as 'Mexican Wedding Cookies' or 'Russian Tea Cakes,' this recipe boasts a rich shortbread base packed with almonds or pecans, offering a nutty, satisfying crunch. They've been a personal favorite for a while, and I truly hope you find as much joy in them as I do.

Almond snowball cookies are cute, buttery, super easy to make. You mix up dough with chopped almonds, and a few other things, roll them into tiny balls, bake them, and then give them a lovely dusting of powdered sugar. That's it! There is no fancy stuff, just simple steps that make these delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. They're perfect for anyone who wants to bake something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

For more easy cookies recipe check out these easy 3 Ingredients flourless chocolate cookies and 3 Ingredients Peanut Butter Cookies.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour- It's the base ingredient that holds everything together and provides structure to the cookies.

• Corn starch- I used small amount of cornstarch along with the flour to achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

• Salt- to balance out and enhance the flavor

• Butter- You will need softened butter. Butter will make cookies wonderfully soft and gives them that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Powdered sugar- You'll use powdered sugar in two ways for these cookies: in the dough itself and for coating them after they're baked.

• Vanilla extract- Elevates the aroma and taste, adding a delightful touch of flavor to the cookies!

• Chopped almonds- For extra crunch and nuttiness

How to make almond snowball cookies

• Preheat oven to 350F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.

• In a medium bowl mix together all purpose flour, salt and corn starch, set aside.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until they form a creamy and smooth mixture, which usually takes about 2 minutes.

• Gradually add the flour mixture in two parts, blending each addition until the flour is completely mixed in. This ensures that the flour gets evenly incorporated into the dough.

• Now add chopped almonds and mix until combine.

• Using about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll it into a small ball and position it on the cookie sheet, making sure to leave at least a 2-inch gap between each ball.

• Bake for 12-14 minutes. Let the cookies rest in the cookie sheet for 5 minutes.

• Take a paper bag and add ¼ cup of powdered sugar to it. Once the cookies are cooled for 5 minutes, transfer them into the bag and give them a good toss until they're completely coated in the powdered sugar.

Useful tips

• Butter Consistency: Ensure the butter is softened but not melted. It helps create the right texture for the cookies.

• Chilling the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft to handle, chilling it in the fridge for a short while can make rolling the balls easier.

• Don't Overbake: These cookies don't need to brown to be done. Remove them from the oven when they're set but still pale. They'll firm up as they cool.

• Coating Technique: While coating the cookies in powdered sugar, it helps to gently shake off excess sugar for a balanced sweetness.

• Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain their delicate texture and flavor.

Freezing the dough

Freezing the dough is a great way to prep ahead or save some for later! After making the dough, you can:

1. Shape the Dough Balls: Roll the dough into small balls as you would for baking, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Freeze: Pop the baking sheet into the freezer until the dough balls are solid, usually for about an hour or so.
3. Transfer to a Bag: Once frozen, transfer the dough balls into a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together.
4. Baking from Frozen: When you're ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet, give them some space to spread, and bake them as usual, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Other cookies recipes you might like

• 3 Ingredients Shortbread Cookies

• 3-Ingredients Almond Cookies(Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free + Vegan)

• Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies:

Recipe video

📖 Recipe