Classic Snowball Cookies – Buttery, Nutty & Dusty with Powdered Sugar (A Kentucky-Style Favorite!)

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball between your palms. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading during baking. For uniform cookies, you can use a small cookie scoop.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Bake in the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. The tops should remain pale; the cookies will firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking, as snowball cookies should stay tender and crumbly, not hard.

Step 6: Roll in Powdered Sugar

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, just enough to handle without breaking. While they are still slightly warm, roll them in 1 cup of powdered sugar until fully coated. Transfer them to a cooling rack and let them cool completely, then roll them in powdered sugar again for that signature “snow-dusted” look.

Step 7: Serving and Storage

Once cooled, snowball cookies are ready to serve. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture makes them irresistible with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.

Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies

1. Nut Choices: Traditional recipes use walnuts or pecans, but you can experiment with almonds or hazelnuts for a different flavor.
2. Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure even baking and presentation.
3. Double Sugar Coating: Rolling cookies twice in powdered sugar gives them a beautiful snowy appearance and extra sweetness.
4. Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
5. Butter Temperature: Softened butter is crucial; too hard and the dough won’t come together, too melted and the cookies will spread too much.

These classic snowball cookies are a Kentucky-style favorite for a reason. Their buttery, nutty, and delicate texture, combined with that magical dusting of powdered sugar, makes them perfect for festive gatherings or an anytime treat. They’re simple to make, yet every bite is a little moment of bliss.

If you want, I can also create a step-by-step illustrated guide with tips and visuals to make these cookies even easier to follow. It would look like a professional baking tutorial. Do you want me to do that?