Description
Snowball Cookies, also known as Swedish Heirloom Cookies or Mexican Wedding Cookies, are melt-in-your-mouth treats bursting with a buttery almond flavor. These delicate cookies are coated in powdered sugar and perfect for festive occasions or a sweet everyday snack.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cups ground pecans
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and kosher salt until smooth and well combined. Then, add the ground pecans, all-purpose flour, and egg. Gradually add the water, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat everything until the dough comes together uniformly.
- Shape Cookies: Using about ½ to 1 tablespoon of dough for each, shape the dough into small balls or crescent shapes. Place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they are set but not browned. The cookies should be firm yet tender.
- Coat Cookies: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in 1 cup of powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly. This gives the traditional snowball look and a sweet finish.
- Store: Let the cookies cool completely, then store them in an airtight container. They keep well for up to one week. Add extra powdered sugar when serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the cookies.
- Ensure the ground pecans are finely ground to incorporate smoothly in the dough.
- If dough is too dry, add a little extra water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies should not brown but be set and delicate.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week, but are best enjoyed fresh.
- For a nut-free version, substitute ground pecans with an equal amount of ground seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
