This is a delightful recipe for walnut snowball cookies. It's a sweet treat that is not only easy to make, but also incredibly tasty. The cookie takes on the shape and color of a snowball, hence its name. The walnuts add a wonderful texture and flavor, making it a favorite during the holiday season or any time you want to indulge in something special.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in any kitchen. However, walnuts might be the only ingredient you would need to check for. They are usually found in the nuts and dry fruits section of your supermarket. Make sure to grab raw, unsalted walnuts to control the sweetness of your cookies.
Ingredients for Walnut Snowball Cookies
All-purpose flour: This is a general-use wheat flour. It is a common and versatile ingredient that gives the cookie structure.
Walnuts: These add a crunch and a rich, nutty flavor to the cookies. They are also a great source of heart-healthy fats.
Sugar: It adds sweetness to the cookies. You can adjust the amount to taste.
Vanilla extract: It enhances the flavor of the cookies with a warm, sweet aroma.
Unsalted butter: This adds richness and moistness to the cookies. It's important to use unsalted butter, as it lets you control the amount of salt.
Salt: A pinch of this enhances all other flavors.
Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners' sugar, this is for coating the baked cookies. It gives them a sweet, snow-like appearance.
One reader, Ethelbert Outlaw says:
These walnut snowball cookies are a delightful treat! The nutty flavor and delicate texture make them a perfect choice for any occasion. The recipe is easy to follow, and the cookies turn out beautifully. They are a hit with everyone who tries them. Highly recommended!
Techniques Required for Making Walnut Snowball Cookies
How to mix the dough: Combine the flour, walnuts, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
How to chill the dough: After mixing the dough, cover it and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to allow it to firm up.
How to form the cookies: Take small portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls no larger than a walnut.
How to bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Place the formed dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie, and bake for 35 minutes.
How to coat the cookies with powdered sugar: When the cookies are still warm but cool enough to handle, roll them in powdered sugar until coated. Then, set them aside on a rack to cool completely.
How to dust the cookies with powdered sugar: Once the cookies are completely cooled, dust them again with powdered sugar before serving.
How To Make Walnut Snowball Cookies
These simple Walnut Snowball Cookies are tasty holiday treats made with walnuts, for a decadently sweet and nutty snack! Serve these up in under one hour.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1cupall-purpose flour,or cake flour
- 1½cupswalnuts,finely chopped
- 3tbspsugar
- 1tspvanilla extract
- 8tbspunsalted butter,(4 oz), room temperature
- pinchsalt
- 1cuppowdered sugar,to coat
Instructions
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Mix the flour, walnuts, salt, sugar in a large bowl. Add the vanilla extract.
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Add the butter in little pieces, and combine everything together with clean hands until the mixture looks like a coarse meal with nut bits in it.
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Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes in the fridge or up to overnight.
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or silicon baking mats.
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Form the dough into small balls no larger than a walnut, and place on the cookie sheet, spaced at least 1-inch apart from each other.
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Bake for 35 minutes.
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When the cookies are are still warm, but cool enough to touch, roll the cookies in some powdered sugar. Set aside on a rack to cool completely.
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When cool, dust again in powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- These cookies can be made with wild black walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, hickory or butternuts, all will work fine.
- If using salted butter, omit the pinch of salt.
Nutrition
- Calories: 96.64kcal
- Fat: 4.86g
- Saturated Fat: 2.95g
- Trans Fat: 0.19g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.23g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.34g
- Carbohydrates: 12.70g
- Fiber: 0.19g
- Sugar: 7.79g
- Protein: 0.74g
- Cholesterol: 12.21mg
- Sodium: 47.24mg
- Calcium: 2.73mg
- Potassium: 9.85mg
- Iron: 0.31mg
- Vitamin A: 38.85µg
- Vitamin C: 0.00mg
Crucial Technique for Perfectly Shaped Snowball Cookies
When making your walnut snowball cookies, it's important to ensure your butter is at room temperature before incorporating it into the dough. This will make it easier to mix and result in a smoother, more uniform dough. Additionally, when rolling your cookies in powdered sugar, make sure they are still warm. The heat from the cookies will help the sugar to adhere better, creating a beautiful snowy effect. Lastly, don't rush the chilling process. Allowing the dough to rest in the fridge will make it easier to handle and help the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Walnut Snowball Cookies
Prep ahead: Prepare the dough for the walnut snowball cookies in advance and chill it in the fridge. This will save time when you're ready to bake.
Use a food processor: Instead of chopping the walnuts by hand, use a food processor to quickly and evenly chop them for the cookie dough.
Bake in batches: If your oven can accommodate only one baking sheet at a time, prepare the dough in advance and bake in batches to save time.
Organize ingredients: Before you start, gather and measure all the ingredients needed for the recipe. This will streamline the cooking process and save time.
Invest in a cookie scoop: Using a cookie scoop will help you portion the dough quickly and efficiently, ensuring uniform cookies and saving time.
Substitute Ingredients For Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe
walnuts - Substitute with pecans: Pecans have a similar rich, buttery flavor and crunchy texture, making them a great alternative to walnuts in this recipe.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar richness and moisture to the cookies, while also adding a hint of coconut flavor.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative, adding a nutty flavor and a slightly denser texture to the cookies.
powdered sugar - Substitute with granulated sugar: Granulated sugar can be used as a substitute for powdered sugar, although the texture of the cookies may be slightly different.
Presenting Walnut Snowball Cookies for the Holidays
Elevate the plating: When presenting the walnut snowball cookies, focus on creating a visually appealing arrangement on the plate. Consider using a combination of white and gold serving ware to enhance the elegance of the dish.
Incorporate garnishes: Add a touch of sophistication by incorporating edible garnishes such as delicate gold leaf or edible flowers to add a pop of color and texture to the presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of minimalism by utilizing negative space on the plate to draw attention to the exquisite walnut snowball cookies. This will create a sense of balance and refinement in the presentation.
Highlight texture: Showcase the texture of the walnut snowball cookies by pairing them with a contrasting element, such as a smooth vanilla bean ice cream or a velvety caramel sauce to add depth to the overall presentation.
Incorporate symmetry: Arrange the walnut snowball cookies in a symmetrical pattern on the plate to create a visually striking presentation that exudes precision and attention to detail.
Consider the use of height: Introduce varying heights to the presentation by incorporating a small pedestal or elevated plating to add dimension and visual interest to the walnut snowball cookies.
Emphasize the dusting of powdered sugar: Pay special attention to the dusting of powdered sugar on the walnut snowball cookies. Ensure that it is delicately applied to create an ethereal and enchanting effect on the plate.
Personalize the presentation: Consider incorporating custom dessert plates or monogrammed napkins to add a personalized touch to the presentation, elevating the overall dining experience.
Essential Tools for Making Snowball Cookies
- Food processor: A food processor is used to finely chop or grind the walnuts for the cookie dough.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is used to combine the flour, walnuts, sugar, and other ingredients for the cookie dough.
- Baking sheet: A baking sheet is used to place the cookie dough balls for baking in the oven.
- Parchment or silicon baking mats: These are used to line the baking sheet to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Oven: The oven is used to bake the walnut snowball cookies.
- Cooling rack: A cooling rack is used to cool the cookies after baking.
Storing and Freezing Walnut Snowball Cookies for Later
- Once the walnut snowball cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- To keep the cookies crisp and prevent them from getting soggy, place a piece of bread in the container with the cookies to absorb any excess moisture
- For longer storage, place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months
- When ready to enjoy the frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving
- If desired, you can refresh the powdered sugar coating on the thawed cookies by dusting them with a fresh layer of powdered sugar before serving
How To Reheat Leftover Walnut Snowball Cookies
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the walnut snowball cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and slightly crisp on the outside. This method will help restore some of the crispiness that may have been lost during storage.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Place the cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 10-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the butter to melt and make the cookies greasy.
If you prefer a softer texture, you can wrap the cookies in a damp paper towel before microwaving them. This will help to steam the cookies and soften them slightly.
Another option is to place the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will help to absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies fresh and soft.
For a fun twist, you can also try reheating the cookies in a skillet with a small amount of butter or coconut oil. This will give them a slightly crispy exterior and a warm, gooey center.
If you have a large batch of cookies to reheat, you can use a slow cooker. Place the cookies in the slow cooker and heat them on low for 1-2 hours, or until they are heated through. This method is great for keeping the cookies warm and fresh for an extended period.
Interesting Trivia About Walnut Snowball Cookies
The snowball cookies are also known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes. They are a popular treat during the holiday season and are often served at weddings and other celebrations. These cookies are loved for their delicate, crumbly texture and nutty flavor, making them a perfect addition to any dessert table. They are also a great make-ahead option as they can be stored in an airtight container for several days, allowing you to prepare them in advance for any event or gathering.
Is Making Walnut Snowball Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
This walnut snowball cookies recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, such as flour, walnuts, sugar, butter, and vanilla extract, are commonly found in most kitchens. The recipe yields a decent amount of cookies, making it suitable for a family of four. The approximate cost for this recipe is around $10, making it an affordable and delightful treat. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Are Walnut Snowball Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
This walnut snowball cookie recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients are flour, butter, and sugar, which are high in calories and low in nutrients. Walnuts do provide some healthy fats and protein, but they are also high in calories. The recipe also lacks any significant sources of fiber, vitamins, or minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to increase the fiber content
- Reduce the amount of butter and sugar used, or substitute some of the butter with a healthier oil like coconut or olive oil
- Add some dried fruit like cranberries or raisins to the dough for added fiber and nutrients
- Experiment with using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce the overall sugar content
- Incorporate some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, which have antioxidant properties and can enhance the flavor without adding calories
By making these adjustments, you can create a healthier version of the walnut snowball cookies that still satisfies your sweet tooth. However, it's important to remember that cookies should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, even with healthier modifications.
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Holiday Cookie Recipe
The walnut snowball cookies recipe is a delightful treat that offers a perfect balance of nuttiness and sweetness. The use of walnuts adds a rich, earthy flavor and a satisfying crunch to the cookies. The addition of powdered sugar provides a delightful sweetness and a snowy appearance, making them a visually appealing dessert. The simple yet precise instructions ensure that the cookies turn out perfectly every time. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to indulge in a classic and delicious cookie that is sure to impress.
Why trust this Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe:
This recipe uses walnuts as the main ingredient, providing a rich and nutty flavor. The combination of vanilla extract and sugar adds a delightful sweetness, while the use of unsalted butter ensures a balanced taste. The dough is carefully chilled to enhance the texture, and the low baking temperature of 300 degrees F helps to preserve the delicate flavors. The final touch of powdered sugar gives the cookies a beautiful snowy appearance. These steps, along with the detailed instructions, showcase the expertise and attention to detail that make this recipe trustworthy and worth trying.
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