Christmas

Snowball Cookies

by:
December 14, 2009
0
0 Ratings
Snowball Cookies
  • Makes 3 dozen cookies
Author Notes

After reading about the origins of other Food52er's cookie recipes it appears that we have a "momfest" going here. This is my mother's cookie recipe which I know she got from her own mother who loved to bake. My mother called them Russian Tea Cakes. I have tasted very similar cookies called Mexican Wedding Cookies. Whatever the original designation, I just call them Snowball Cookies. They look like little snowballs. Be careful when you take them out of the oven because they are very fragile until cooled. —dymnyno

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups ground walnuts
  • about 2 cups powdered sugar for rolling the balls
Directions
  1. Whip up the butter and add the sugar, whipping until it becomes fluffy. Then add the vanilla.
  2. Add the dry ingredients into the vanilla, butter and sugar mixture.
  3. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts pretty fine.
  4. Mix the walnuts into the dough.
  5. Using your hands , roll the cookie dough into little balls about 1 1/2 in diameter.
  6. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the snowballs on it .Chill for about 10 min.
  7. Then bake in a 325 degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. Watch to make sure the bottoms don't burn. Half way through, reverse the cookie sheet.
  8. Immediately after removing from the oven, roll the balls in powdered sugar, completely coating them. Or, if your are all thumbs, like me, I use a flour sifter and sift the powdered sugar all over the balls and then gently (!) roll them over and do the other side. Then I roll them over once again and sift more sugar over them.
  9. Cool, then sprinkle more powdered sugar on them and shake off the excess..
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10 Reviews

Gaglione
Gaglione December 21, 2023
I am keen to try this version, as I grew up making them with pecans and using powdered sugar in the dough. They are a tradition for which my Mum started and I of course loved these cookies as a child. Once I was old enough I would help her roll the balls in the bowl of powdered sugar once, then twice. Even if the version is different it will still continue the ritual of cookies and tea during the Christmas holidays. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen December 9, 2013
My birthday is a few days before Christmas and as a child my mom would make a version of these for "my special day". Thanks so much for reminding me of these! I absolutely LOVE them!!
 
Jestei
Jestei December 20, 2009
I have made many versions of this type of cookie, and this one is both easy and very yummy. A few nits: when you write a cookie recipe you need to indicate the oven temp (325) and cookie sheet prep. (No butter; parchment paper is good too.) Also it is important to note that these nut-based cookies are very delicate, so use extreme care when removing them from the sheet or you will end up cursing as they crumble before your sad little eyes. Also moi, I prefer pecans, which is what I used, but I am sure walnuts would be fine.
 
dymnyno
dymnyno January 4, 2010
I am crazy about walnuts...I often substitute them in recipes. See my granola recipe...it's a walnut fest!
 
dymnyno
dymnyno January 4, 2010
I am crazy about walnuts...I often substitute them in recipes. See my granola recipe...it's a walnut fest!
 
Veronica
Veronica December 20, 2009
I used to make these with ground pecans and miss them! Thanks for the reminder and I'm definitely going to try yours, with the almonds.
 
Maria T.
Maria T. December 19, 2009
The biggest mistery to me is how people actually make up a recipe, how they come up with the ideas. I am so fascinated by "how it all began". Whatever, rambling too much because I am stuck at home with the snow, so I think these would make a great afternoon cooking session. They sound fabulous and delicious.
 
Kelsey B.
Kelsey B. December 15, 2009
LOL! I think all of my great Christmas cookie recipes originated with Mom - it is just they way it goes with the holidays I guess.
 
TasteFood
TasteFood December 14, 2009
I adore these. I remember making them as a child, and we called them Sandies. Now I make them with my children and we call them Snowballs. It's not Christmas without them!
 
dymnyno
dymnyno December 15, 2009
The old but favorite recipes rule!!!