Description
Classic snowball cookies blend strawberry essence with chocolate chips in a delightful winter-inspired treat. Powdered sugar coating and rich flavors make these cookies a perfect companion for afternoon tea or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (90 g) mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (30 g) freeze-dried strawberries, finely ground
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal baking environment.
- Mixing Foundation: Whip butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until achieving a cloud-like, ethereal texture that promises delicate cookies.
- Flavor Integration: Blend vanilla extract thoroughly into the creamed mixture, infusing the base with a rich, aromatic essence.
- Dry Ingredient Composition: Pulverize freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder, then combine with flour and salt, creating a vibrant, fragrant dry ingredient blend.
- Dough Development: Gently fold dry ingredients into butter mixture, carefully mixing until a uniform dough forms, ensuring minimal handling to maintain a tender crumb.
- Chocolate Enhancement: Fold mini chocolate chips throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to guarantee a delightful chocolate surprise in every bite.
- Shaping and Placement: Craft uniform spheres by rolling dough between palms, then position cookies on prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing to allow gentle expansion during baking.
- Baking and Finishing: Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn delicately golden, then allow cookies to cool briefly before coating in a light dusting of powdered sugar for the signature snowball effect.
Notes
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Freeze-dried strawberries are crucial for intense flavor without adding extra liquid, preventing dough from becoming too wet or dense.
- Control Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to maintain a light, tender cookie texture; overmixing can create tough, dense snowballs that lose their delicate crumb.
- Perfect Cookie Shaping: Roll dough balls consistently using light pressure to ensure uniform baking and prevent uneven browning or texture differences.
- Optimize Powdered Sugar Coating: Allow cookies to cool slightly before rolling in powdered sugar to achieve a smooth, even coating that won’t absorb or become clumpy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 32 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg