Cashew Snowballs Recipe: A Delightful Holiday Treat
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Description: These delightful Cashew Snowballs are reminiscent of the classic “butterball” Christmas cookies that many of us cherish during the holiday season. The addition of cashews not only enhances the flavor but also adds a lovely, crunchy texture. First introduced to my holiday baking repertoire in 2003, these cookies quickly became a crowd favorite, surpassing all others in taste and enjoyment. Perfect for sharing during festive gatherings or simply indulging in a cozy moment, these snowballs promise to bring a touch of joy to any holiday spread.
Recipe Category: Dessert
Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Fruit, Nuts, Christmas, Less than 60 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups unsalted cashews (finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
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Prepare Your Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
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Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter with ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth.
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Incorporate Vanilla: Add the pure vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, blending until fully incorporated.
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Mix in Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, chopped cashews, and salt to the bowl. Continue to mix on low speed until all ingredients are well combined into a dough.
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Shape the Dough: Divide the dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion into 1-inch logs. Wrap these logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which will make them easier to cut and shape.
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Cut and Roll the Cookies: After chilling, remove the logs from the refrigerator. Cut them into 1-inch pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place the cookie balls about ¾ inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. You may need up to three baking sheets to accommodate all the cookies.
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Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cookies turn a golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
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Coat with Sugar: While the cookies are still warm, fill a shallow bowl or pie plate with 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar. Gently roll each hot cookie in the sugar to coat it thoroughly. This will give them their signature snowy appearance.
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Cool and Re-coat: Place the coated cookies on wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled, re-roll them in confectioners’ sugar to ensure an even and appealing white coating.
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Store Properly: Enjoy your Cashew Snowballs fresh, or store them in an airtight container for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to one month.
Yield: Approximately 36 cookies
Nutritional Information (per cookie):
- Calories: 135
- Total Fat: 10.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.4 g
- Cholesterol: 15.2 mg
- Sodium: 34.4 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9.7 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugars: 2.1 g
- Protein: 2.3 g
Tips:
- For a more intense nut flavor, lightly toast the cashews before chopping and adding them to the dough.
- If the dough is too soft after mixing, chill it for an additional 10-15 minutes before shaping.
These Cashew Snowballs are sure to be a hit, offering a delightful crunch and a sweet, nutty flavor that’s perfect for the holiday season. Enjoy baking and sharing these scrumptious treats with loved ones! 🎄🍪✨
