Description
Butternut Cookies, also known as snowball cookies or Russian tea cakes, are delicate, buttery treats featuring finely chopped walnuts or pecans and a generous coating of powdered sugar. These classic American holiday cookies are crisp on the outside with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfect for festive gatherings or enjoying with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
Coating
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract until it is fully incorporated, enhancing the aroma and flavor of the dough.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the bowl, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which keeps the cookies tender.
- Mix in Nuts: Fold in the finely chopped walnuts or pecans evenly throughout the dough for added texture and nutty flavor.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop out dough portions approximately 1 inch in diameter and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookie bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale to ensure the characteristic tender texture.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool just enough to handle but while still warm, which helps the sugar coating adhere.
- First Sugar Coat: Roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar to give it a light initial dusting.
- Final Cooling and Coating: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, then roll them once more in powdered sugar for a thick, snowy finish characteristic of these traditional cookies.
Notes
- Butternut Cookies are also known as snowball cookies or Russian tea cakes.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- You can freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to three months, then bake them straight from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
