How To Bake Snowballs

Delicious Snowballs: A Winter Baking Delight

When the winter season arrives, there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked treats to warm up your home. One classic winter treat that never fails to delight is snowballs. These delightful little cookies are not only delicious, but they also make for a fun and festive baking project. If you’re ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of freshly baked snowballs, here’s a simple guide to help you get started.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin baking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. For a basic snowball recipe, you’ll need:

• Butter: Unsalted, at room temperature
• Flour: All-purpose flour works best
• Powdered Sugar: For that sweet, snowy coating
• Vanilla Extract: For a hint of flavor
• Nuts: Finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Steps to Baking Perfect Snowballs

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to start baking. Follow these simple steps to create the perfect batch of snowballs:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar. Add in the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the flour until a dough forms. Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed.
3. Form the Cookies: Take small pieces of the dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
4. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the snowballs for 12-15 minutes, or until they are set but not browned.
5. Cool and Coat: Allow the snowballs to cool for a few minutes, then gently roll them in powdered sugar until they are fully coated. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Double Coat (Optional): For an extra snowy look, you can give the cooled snowballs a second roll in powdered sugar.

Tips for Perfect Snowballs

Baking snowballs is a relatively simple process, but there are a few tips that can help ensure your cookies turn out just right:

• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Overmixing the dough can result in tough snowballs. Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use Quality Ingredients: Since snowballs have a simple flavor profile, using high-quality butter and vanilla extract can make a big difference in the final taste.
• Cool Before Coating: Make sure the snowballs are completely cool before rolling them in powdered sugar to prevent the sugar from melting and becoming sticky.
• Store Properly: Once baked, store the snowballs in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming too dry.

Enjoy Your Homemade Snowballs

Once your snowballs are baked, cooled, and coated, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. These delightful little cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family or for simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa by the fire. With their buttery, nutty flavor and snowy coating of powdered sugar, snowballs are a delightful winter treat that’s sure to bring joy to all who taste them. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these delicious snowballs to brighten up your winter days.