Winter Wonderland Snowballs Recipe
Overview:
Winter Wonderland Snowballs are delightful bite-sized treats perfect for the holiday season. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. With variations like Peppermint Snowballs and Lemon Snowballs, there’s a flavor for everyone to savor. Let’s dive into this snowy adventure!
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Servings: 48 snowballs
Ingredients:
- 1 cup 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 chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work well)
For Rolling:
- Additional powdered sugar
For Peppermint Snowballs:
- 3/4 cup hard peppermint candies, crushed
- Additional crushed peppermint candies for rolling
For Lemon Snowballs:
- Lemon extract (substitute for vanilla)
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 1/2 cup Lemon Drop candies, crushed
- Additional crushed Lemon Drop candies for rolling
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). |
| 2 | In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. |
| 3 | Gradually add the flour and salt to the creamed mixture, mixing until well combined. |
| 4 | Stir in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough. |
| 5 | Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. |
| 6 | Bake in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes, or until set but not browned. |
| 7 | Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes. |
| 8 | Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar, coating them evenly. |
| 9 | Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. |
| 10 | Roll the cooled cookies in powdered sugar again for a snowy finish. |
Variations:
Peppermint Snowballs:
- Crush 3/4 cup of hard peppermint candies in a food processor or blender.
- Stir in 1/4 cup of the crushed candies with the flour mixture; reserve the remaining crushed candies.
- Follow the instructions for shaping and baking the cookies as usual.
- Immediately after baking, roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar and wait for 10 minutes.
- Roll the cookies in the reserved crushed peppermint candies for an extra burst of flavor.
Lemon Snowballs:
- Substitute lemon extract for vanilla in the dough.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add 1 teaspoon of grated lemon peel to the dough.
- Crush 1/2 cup of Lemon Drop candies in a food processor or blender.
- Mix 1/4 cup of the crushed candies with the flour mixture; reserve the remaining crushed candies.
- Proceed with the recipe as usual, shaping, baking, and rolling the cookies in powdered sugar.
- After the initial powdered sugar coating, roll the cookies in the reserved crushed Lemon Drop candies for a tangy twist.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these Winter Wonderland Snowballs on a festive platter at your next holiday gathering.
- Pair them with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of milk for a cozy treat.
- Package them in decorative bags or boxes to give as homemade gifts to friends and family.
Enjoy your Winter Wonderland Snowballs, and may they bring warmth and cheer to your holiday season! ❄️🍪✨
