Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for a festive treat that instantly fills your kitchen with warm, cozy aromas, look no further than this Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe. These delightful little cookies combine melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread with a fragrant cinnamon-sugar coating that’s reminiscent of your favorite holiday memories. They’re incredibly easy to make and even easier to love, whether you’re preparing them for a cookie exchange, gifting to friends, or just indulging with a cup of tea by the fireplace.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beautiful thing about the Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe is how it uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create such a captivating flavor. Each ingredient adds its own personality, contributing to texture, richness, or that unmistakable cinnamon spark.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The backbone of these cookies, giving them their signature tender crumb and irresistible buttery taste.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): Creates a smooth, slightly powdery sweetness in the dough and keeps the crumb extra delicate.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavors and rounds out the aromatic notes—skip artificial vanilla and use pure if possible!
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The structure behind each snowball, it binds everything together while still allowing for a soft bite.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough to balance out the sweetness and highlight all the other flavors.
- Finely chopped pecans or walnuts (3/4 cup, optional): Give a wonderful crunch and nutty aroma, but can be left out for a more classic shortbread experience.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup, for rolling): This adds crisp sparkle on the outside of every cookie.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon, for rolling): Provides that beloved spicy warmth and pairs perfectly with the sugar coating.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Let’s set the stage for baking magic! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure a perfectly even bake, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps your cookies from sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture looks light, smooth, and fluffy. This key step traps air in the dough and ensures each cookie is beautifully tender. Add the vanilla extract and mix until just combined for that rich, bakery-style flavor.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Gently stir in the all-purpose flour and salt, taking care not to overmix—just blend until the dough starts to come together. If you’re feeling a little extra, this is the moment to fold in those chopped pecans or walnuts for a lovely nutty crunch.
Step 4: Form the Cookie Dough Balls
Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each one in your palms until it’s smooth, then space them about an inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. The cookies won’t spread much, so you can fit more at once!
Step 5: Bake
Slide your cookie tray into the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. The goal is cookies with lightly golden bottoms but pale tops — just enough bake to set them while keeping their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture intact.
Step 6: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the cookies are baking, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once the cookies are ready, let them cool for just 2 to 3 minutes. While they’re still slightly warm (but not too hot to handle), gently roll each cookie in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Set on a wire rack, and once they’re completely cool, give them a second roll for that extra layer of sweetness and visual flair.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Fancy up your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe by giving them a final dusting of powdered sugar before serving, or tuck each one into a mini paper liner for a bakery-style presentation. If you want to go the extra mile, a quick sprinkle of extra cinnamon can make each cookie look (and taste) extra special.
Side Dishes
Snowball cookies are divine with a mug of hot cocoa, cinnamon latte, or spiced chai tea. For a charming dessert board, serve alongside fresh fruit—like orange slices or berries—or pair them with other holiday classics such as chocolate crinkle cookies and buttery shortbreads for a cookie platter that will dazzle your guests.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by packaging a few cookies in a glass jar tied with a ribbon and a handwritten tag for heartfelt homemade gifts. Or, arrange them in a snowy pile on a vintage cake stand for a whimsical centerpiece. If you’re hosting a winter-themed party, consider placing the cookies in little festive paper bags for guests to take home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe will stay fresh and delightful for up to one week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Stack them gently, as their delicate crumb can be prone to crumbling if jostled.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze baked (cooled) cookies in a single layer in an airtight container for up to two months. They can be stacked with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls and simply bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
While these cookies are best at room temperature, if you’d like to revive the “just-baked” aroma, place a few on a baking sheet and warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. Let cool slightly and roll again in cinnamon sugar if desired. This brings back that fresh, cozy essence.
FAQs
Can I make this Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe without nuts?
Absolutely! The cookies turn out beautifully nut-free, with the same tender crumb and delicate cinnamon sugar coating. Just skip the nuts, and enjoy a classic version everyone can enjoy.
Why are my cookies crumbling apart?
These cookies are supposed to be crumbly, but if they’re falling apart badly, it could be because there was too much flour or not enough fat. Be sure to measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method and cream your butter well for the right texture.
Can I use a different spice instead of cinnamon?
Definitely! While cinnamon provides the signature warmth, you can experiment with ground cardamom, nutmeg, or even pumpkin spice for a fun twist. The base cookie will handle the change beautifully.
What’s the best way to make this Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe ahead of time?
Prepare and roll the dough into balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a zip-top bag and bake straight from the freezer when you’re ready for fresh cookies anytime.
How do I get the sugar coating to stick well?
The trick is to roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm—but not hot enough to break apart. Then, after cooling, roll them again for an extra luscious coating that sticks beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe enough if you’re looking for a treat that’s festive, buttery, and just a bit magical. Whip up a batch and share them with the people you love—they’re guaranteed to be a hit, whether on a holiday dessert tray or sneaked straight from the cookie tin. Happy baking!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are a delightful treat with a tender, crumbly texture and a sweet cinnamon crunch. Perfect for the holiday season or anytime you crave a cozy, buttery cookie.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Rolling Mixture:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the flour and salt, then stir until just combined. Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
- Form dough balls: Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake for 12–14 minutes, until lightly golden on the bottom but pale on top.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar: While warm, roll each cookie in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Let cool on a wire rack, then roll again if desired.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Great for holiday trays, gifting, or enjoying as a cozy winter treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
