Description
These 3 Ingredient Easy Snowball Cookies are buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for holidays or any time you crave a simple cookie. Made with just powdered sugar, unsalted butter, and all-purpose flour, they are quick to prepare and can be customized with optional pecans or pistachios for a delightful crunch. Rolled in powdered sugar when warm, they resemble delicate snowballs, offering a beautiful and delicious finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pecans or pistachios, chopped (optional; can be left out or used as 1/4 cup for half the dough)
Instructions
- Prepare Butter: Ensure the unsalted butter is at room temperature to allow easy creaming and smooth dough formation.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixer bowl, add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 cup softened butter. Using the paddle attachment, cream on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl sides as needed.
- Add Flour Gradually: Lower the mixer speed, and slowly add the flour about 1/2 cup at a time. Allow the flour to incorporate fully before adding more to prevent overflouring.
- Form Dough: Increase mixer speed to medium if the dough is slow to come together. Once all flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth, stop the mixer.
- Add Nuts (Optional): If using nuts, fold them into the dough by hand. For a mix, divide dough into two halves; add 1/4 cup chopped pistachios or pecans to one half.
- Chill Dough: Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up, making scooping easier.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop or regular tablespoon, form dough balls and place 12 per sheet in four cookies per row with three rows, spaced evenly.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the bottoms and edges turn lightly golden.
- Roll in Powdered Sugar: Pour about 1/4 cup powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. After baking, let cookies cool for 8 minutes then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm for a snowy coating.
- Cool and Set: Allow cookies to cool completely on the countertop so the sugar coating can set. Re-rolling in sugar is optional depending on preference.
- Store Properly: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 2 months, dusting with powdered sugar again before serving.
Notes
- Using room temperature butter is key for creamy, smooth dough.
- You can omit nuts entirely or add half the dough with nuts for variety.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain cookie shape and makes scooping easier.
- Rolling cookies in powdered sugar while warm ensures thorough coating.
- Cookies can be frozen and dusted with powdered sugar before serving for ease of preparation ahead of events.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack, Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Snowball Cookies, Three Ingredient Cookies, Easy Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Butter Cookies
