Description
Snowball cookies elevate festive baking with their delightful Mexican wedding cookie charm. Powdery clouds of buttery shortbread melt in your mouth, inviting sweet comfort and holiday nostalgia that connects generations of bakers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar, for coating
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Create a silky foundation by whipping softened butter until it transforms into a smooth, airy texture. Incorporate sweetened condensed milk and pure vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to form a harmonious mixture.
- Gradually introduce flour and salt into the creamy base, stirring gently until just integrated. Tenderly fold chopped nuts throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution.
- Wrap the dough completely and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the mixture to solidify and become more manageable for shaping.
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for cookie placement.
- Using gentle hands, craft uniform spherical shapes approximately one inch in diameter. Position these delicate orbs across the prepared baking surface, maintaining slight separation between each cookie.
- Slide the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Monitor closely, removing when the cookie bottoms develop a subtle golden hue while maintaining a pale upper surface.
- After removing from the oven, permit cookies to rest momentarily. While still warm, delicately roll each cookie in powdered sugar, creating an initial light coating.
- Once cookies reach room temperature, perform a second powdered sugar dusting, transforming them into elegant, snow-white confections with a delicate, powdery exterior.
- Serve immediately or preserve in an airtight container, maintaining their delectable texture and appearance.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spread and maintaining the snowball shape during baking.
- Opt for finely chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for a delicate texture that integrates smoothly into the cookie.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature to create a smooth, evenly mixed dough that prevents lumpy cookies.
- For gluten-free variations, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg