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Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Recipe

4.9 from 419 reviews

These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are buttery, tender, and coated with a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture for a delightful snowy finish. Perfect for holiday treats or anytime you crave a light, melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a hint of warm cinnamon and optional nutty crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Creaming Mixture

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Optional Add-ins

  • 1 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

Coating

  • Powdered sugar and ground cinnamon mixture for rolling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the vanilla extract and mix well to incorporate.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt to distribute the cinnamon and salt evenly throughout the flour.
  4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring gently just until completely combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Add Nuts (Optional): If using, fold in the finely chopped nuts to the dough to add texture and a nutty flavor.
  6. Form Cookie Balls: Scoop out dough portions about 1 inch in diameter and roll them into smooth balls. Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet about an inch apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms start turning a light golden brown but the tops remain pale.
  8. Coat Cookies: While cookies are still warm, roll each one in a mixture of powdered sugar mixed with a bit of ground cinnamon to create the signature snowball coating.
  9. Cool and Serve: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving for the best texture.

Notes

  • The chopped nuts are optional; pecans or walnuts work best for added flavor and texture.
  • Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming.
  • Rolling the cookies in the cinnamon sugar coating while warm helps the sugar adhere better and creates the classic snowball effect.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
  • These cookies freeze well uncoated; roll in sugar mixture after thawing if desired.

Keywords: Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies, Snowball Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Butter Cookies, Nutty Cookies, Easy Cookie Recipe