Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

Delightful Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe for Winter Magic

Biting into a soft, powdery chocolate snowball cookie that melts instantly on your tongue.

These delightful treats capture winter’s whimsy in every delicate crumb.

Sweet memories of childhood holidays dance through each sugary sphere.

Delicate rounds dusted with pristine powdered sugar resemble miniature snowdrifts waiting to be devoured.

The subtle crunch giving way to rich, buttery chocolate that whispers comfort.

Nothing beats sharing these magical morsels with loved ones gathered around a warm kitchen.

Each bite promises a moment of pure, uncomplicated joy that connects generations through simple, delicious magic.

Ready to transform your afternoon with these irresistible little wonders?

What Makes Chocolate Snowball Cookies Special

  • Effortless Chocolate Delight: These cookies are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal baking skills and basic pantry ingredients, perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: The combination of soft, crumbly butter cookies with rich cocoa and a luxurious powdered sugar coating creates an irresistibly smooth and delicate texture that literally melts in your mouth.
  • Winter Wonderland Charm: The double-rolled powdered sugar coating gives these cookies a stunning snow-white appearance, making them a festive treat that captures the magical essence of winter celebrations and holiday gatherings.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with nutty crunch and deep chocolate flavor, these cookies appeal to both kids and adults, work perfectly as dessert, party treat, or sweet gift, and can be easily customized with different nuts or chocolate variations.

Chocolate Snowball Cookies Ingredient List

Primary Ingredients:

Butter Base: – Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for cookie texture, best when softened at room temperature.

Flour Base: – All-Purpose Flour, Cocoa Powder: Creates structure and chocolate depth, select high-quality cocoa for intense flavor.

Sweet Components:

Sugar Group: – Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Adds sweetness and classic flavor, powdered sugar creates signature snowball coating.

Texture and Crunch Enhancers:

Nutty Optional Component: – Chopped Nuts: Introduces pleasant crunch and complementary flavor, optional but recommended for texture variation.

Additional Components:

Binding Ingredients: – Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How To Make Chocolate Snowball Cookies Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for a smooth cookie-baking adventure.

Step 2: Whip Up the Chocolatey Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, dance the softened butter and powdered sugar together until they become a creamy dream. Splash in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, mixing them into a harmonious blend. Gently fold in:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Chopped nuts (if you're feeling nutty)

Keep mixing until the dough forms a delightful chocolatey mass.

Step 3: Shape Tasty Chocolate Spheres

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into perfect little balls. Arrange these chocolate treasures on your prepared baking sheets, giving each one a bit of breathing room about an inch apart.

Step 4: Bake to Chocolatey Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for cookies that are set but not darkened. Let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, catching their breath.

Step 5: Create a Snowy Sugar Coating

While the cookies are still warm and cozy, roll them in a cloud of powdered sugar until they’re completely dressed in white. Transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool down. Once they’ve chilled out, give them another loving roll in powdered sugar for that magical snow-covered look.

Enjoy your delectable Chocolate Snowball Cookies that are sure to melt hearts and tantalize taste buds!

Smart Tips For Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Allow butter to sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes before creaming, ensuring a smooth, even mix without lumps.
  • Control Cocoa Intensity: Adjust cocoa powder quantity to balance chocolate flavor – less for mild taste, more for rich chocolate lovers.
  • Nut-Free Option: Substitute chopped nuts with toasted coconut flakes or skip entirely for allergen-friendly cookies.
  • Prevent Cracking: Chill dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping to help cookies maintain structure and prevent cracking during baking.
  • Sugar Coating Trick: Use a fine-mesh sieve for even, light powdered sugar coverage, creating a beautiful snow-like appearance on cookies.

Best Way To Store Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Store cooled chocolate snowball cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 5 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling.
  • Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies will stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft texture. Alternatively, place them in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes to refresh their warmth and taste.
  • Dust: Before serving stored or reheated cookies, sprinkle an extra layer of powdered sugar to revive their classic snowball appearance and add a fresh, sweet touch.

What Goes Well With Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Pair with Rich Espresso: The deep, bitter notes of espresso perfectly complement the sweet, chocolatey richness of these snowball cookies. The coffee cuts through the powdery sweetness, creating a balanced and indulgent taste experience.
  • Serve with Creamy Vanilla Milk: Chilled vanilla milk provides a smooth, cool contrast to the dense chocolate cookies. The creamy beverage enhances the cookie's texture and brings out the subtle nutty undertones.
  • Match with Raspberry Liqueur: A small glass of raspberry liqueur adds a fruity, tangy dimension that brightens the chocolate's deep flavor. The slight tartness creates an unexpected and delightful flavor contrast.
  • Try Alongside Caramel Hot Chocolate: A warm caramel hot chocolate amplifies the cookie's chocolatey character while adding a luxurious, velvety layer to the overall dessert experience.

Mix Things Up With Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Swap chopped nuts for toasted almonds or pecans, adding extra crunch and depth to the classic snowball cookie flavor profile.
  • Espresso Chocolate Snowballs: Incorporate 1-2 teaspoons of finely ground espresso powder into the dough for a rich, coffee-enhanced chocolate experience.
  • Mint Chocolate Version: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top after the final powdered sugar coating for a festive winter treat.
  • Orange Chocolate Burst: Add fresh orange zest to the dough and roll finished cookies in a mixture of powdered sugar and orange-flavored cocoa powder for a bright, citrusy chocolate sensation.

FAQs About Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Why are these cookies called Chocolate Snowball Cookies?

These cookies get their name from their white powdered sugar coating that looks like snow-covered balls, giving them a wintery, festive appearance.

  • Can I make these cookies without nuts?

Absolutely! The nuts are optional, so you can easily skip them if you have allergies or simply don’t enjoy nuts in your cookies. The recipe will still turn out delicious.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from cracking when rolling in powdered sugar?

Roll the cookies while they’re still slightly warm and handle them gently. The warmth helps the sugar stick better, and a light touch ensures they maintain their round shape without breaking.

  • What type of cocoa powder works best for these cookies?

Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder both work well in this recipe, so choose your favorite.

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Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet Mexican wedding cookies become winter magic with Chocolate Snowball Cookies. Powdery cocoa-dusted treats melt delicately on your palate, promising pure holiday comfort in each buttery, nutty bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Snowball Cookies Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder

Supplemental Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup (90 g / 3.2 oz) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even surface coverage for optimal cookie performance.
  2. Create a luxurious dough foundation by whipping softened butter and powdered sugar into a silky smooth mixture, incorporating vanilla extract and salt for depth of flavor. Gradually fold in flour, cocoa powder, and chopped nuts, gently blending until a cohesive dough forms.
  3. Carefully craft uniform cookie spheres by portioning the dough into tablespoon-sized rounds, meticulously rolling each into perfect balls. Arrange these delicate orbs on prepared baking sheets, maintaining precise spacing to allow proper expansion.
  4. Transform the raw dough into delectable treats through precise baking, watching carefully for approximately 10-12 minutes. The cookies should set without developing excessive browning, maintaining their delicate chocolate essence.
  5. Initiate the first powdered sugar coating while cookies remain slightly warm, gently tumbling each cookie to achieve a complete white dusting. Transfer to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature before executing a final powdered sugar roll, creating a mesmerizing snowball-like appearance that mimics a gentle winter landscape.

Notes

  • Chill the dough briefly before shaping to prevent sticking and make rolling easier, ensuring uniform cookie sizes.
  • Finely chop nuts for a more delicate texture and even distribution throughout the cookie, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate taste, preferably Dutch-processed for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor.
  • Customize the recipe by substituting nuts with mini chocolate chips or using gluten-free flour for those with dietary restrictions, making the cookies more versatile and inclusive.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 157
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 30 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jenna Stewart

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.

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