If you’re longing for a cake that’s whimsical, elegant, and absolutely irresistible, you have to try this Snowball Cake Recipe. This luscious dome-shaped beauty features a buttery, moist crumb swirled with jewel-bright raspberry preserves, all generously coated in a fluffy blanket of sweet coconut. With every slice, you’ll find a balance of flavors and textures that feels celebratory and nostalgic at once—a treat that never fails to impress at gatherings or makes any afternoon feel special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for this Snowball Cake Recipe is blissfully simple, and each one plays a crucial role in crafting that dreamy final result. From rich butter to tangy raspberry preserves, every element brings something essential: structure, tenderness, or that classic snowy finish.

All-purpose flour: Gives the cake structure and creates a tender crumb—it’s the foundation of every good cake.
Baking powder: Lifts the cake, making it beautifully light and domed.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness, subtly deepening the flavors.
Unsalted butter, room temperature: Infuses the cake with richness and keeps every bite moist.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps it cream up light and fluffy.
Large eggs: Bind the ingredients, add richness, and ensure the cake is moist.
Vanilla extract: Adds a comforting warmth and aroma to the sponge.
Whole milk: Contributes to a soft, tender crumb and brings everything together.
Raspberry preserves (slightly warmed): Provide a burst of fruity tang and lovely color in every slice.
Sweetened shredded coconut: Gives the cake its signature snowy look and sweet chewiness.
Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting): Adds an extra touch of magic and an even more “snowy” finish.

How to Make Snowball Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat

First things first, get your oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-cup oven-safe dome pan or bowl generously, then dust it with flour. This step ensures you’ll have an easy time turning out your cake and keeps that beautiful dome perfectly intact.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. By doing this now, you set yourself up for a cake with a uniform crumb and that tender texture we all crave. Set your bowl aside—you’ll come back to it in just a moment.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale, thick, and fluffy. This takes a few minutes, but it’s worth it! Air whipped into the butter helps the cake rise beautifully and gives that melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the luscious vanilla extract, taking a pause to inhale that amazing aroma—this step is where memories are made.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

With your mixer on low (or by hand), alternate adding the flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture. Begin and end with the flour, mixing each addition just until blended. This keeps your batter smooth and prevents overmixing, which might otherwise make your Snowball Cake Recipe dense.

Step 6: Swirl in the Raspberry Preserves

Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared pan. Dollop the slightly warmed raspberry preserves over the batter, then cover carefully with the rest of the batter. Take a skewer or knife and gently swirl everything together—don’t overdo it, as you want lovely ribbons of jam throughout the cake.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan before turning it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This helps keep its shape and makes it easier to handle.

Step 8: Decorate with Coconut and Sugar

Once your cake is cool, brush it lightly with water or simple syrup if needed (especially if your kitchen is dry), then press sweetened shredded coconut all over the surface. For the ultimate “snowball” effect, dust with a little powdered sugar just before serving.

How to Serve Snowball Cake Recipe

Garnishes

For a truly sensational presentation, scatter extra coconut over the platter and sprinkle more powdered sugar for that snowy look. A few fresh raspberries or small mint leaves around the cake add beautiful color and give a hint of what’s inside!

Side Dishes

The Snowball Cake Recipe pairs wonderfully with cups of hot tea, fresh coffee, or even sparkling raspberry lemonade. For a light, fruity finish, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of mixed berries drizzled with a little honey.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing the cake into wedges and plating each with a spoonful of extra raspberry preserves. For parties, you can even bake individual Snowball Cakes in oven-safe bowls for an adorable single-serve dessert. Dust each one generously and watch faces light up with joy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Snowball Cake Recipe fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The coconut helps keep the cake moist, but if your kitchen’s warm, pop it in the fridge and enjoy within 4–5 days.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Simply wrap slices (or the whole cake) tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight, then add fresh coconut or a dusting of powdered sugar to revive that snowy appearance.

Reheating

If you love slightly warm cake, you can microwave individual slices for 10 to 15 seconds. Just cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture so each bite is as luscious and soft as freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of preserves for the swirl?

Absolutely! Strawberry, cherry, or apricot preserves would work beautifully. The Snowball Cake Recipe is very forgiving, so feel free to play around with your favorite flavors.

What can I do if I don’t have a dome-shaped pan?

No dome pan? No problem! Use a deep oven-safe mixing bowl, or bake the cake in a regular bundt or loaf pan—the taste and texture will still be amazing, though the look will be a bit different.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten free?

Yes, just swap the all-purpose flour with a quality gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. The structure may be slightly different, but the Snowball Cake Recipe is a joy to experiment with.

How do I keep the coconut from falling off?

Moistening the exterior of the cake with simple syrup or a little water before pressing on the coconut helps it adhere much better, so every slice stays perfectly snowy from the first piece to the last.

Can I make this cake ahead for a party?

Definitely! Make and coat the cake up to a day in advance. Store at room temperature under a cake dome, and dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving for extra “wow” factor.

Final Thoughts

This Snowball Cake Recipe is pure magic—a show-stopper that’s as much fun to make as it is delightful to eat. Whether you’re sharing it with a crowd or sneaking a cozy slice with tea, it’s bound to bring smiles and snowy sweetness to any occasion. Give it a try and you might just start a brand-new tradition!