Description
Festive holiday magic meets sweet comfort in these gingerbread snowballs, a delightful winter treat dusted with powdered sugar. Warm spices and buttery richness invite winter celebrations, promising pure seasonal joy in each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (230 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup (70 g / 2.5 ounces) granulated sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Additional Flavors:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon molasses
For Rolling:
- 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 ounces) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.
- Create a fluffy butter mixture by vigorously beating softened butter and granulated sugar until the texture becomes light and airy, developing a creamy consistency.
- Enhance the flavor profile by incorporating vanilla extract and rich, deep molasses, stirring until the ingredients blend seamlessly.
- Craft a complex spice blend by whisking together flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in a separate mixing bowl, creating a fragrant dry ingredient mixture.
- Gradually merge the dry spice mixture into the wet ingredients, gently folding until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Carefully shape the dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, positioning them evenly across the prepared baking sheets with slight separation to allow for gentle spreading.
- Transform the raw dough into delicate cookies by baking for 10-12 minutes, watching for a set texture without excessive browning.
- Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then delicately transfer them to a cooling rack while still warm.
- Create a winter wonderland effect by delicately rolling the warm cookies in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage for a snowy exterior.
- Complete the final touch by repeating the powdered sugar coating once the cookies have cooled completely, achieving a pristine, frosted appearance.
Notes
- Adjust the spice levels by increasing or decreasing ground ginger and cinnamon to match your personal taste preference.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a reliable cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to maintain the cookie’s delicate texture.
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy consistency when mixing with sugar.
- Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 28 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg