Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies: A Sweet Holiday Treat Recipe
These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are a classic holiday treat featuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. With a delightful mix of buttery dough infused with cinnamon and coated generously in cinnamon-spiced powdered sugar, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and warm spice, ideal for festive celebrations or cozy moments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (additional for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick and bake evenly.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup powdered sugar while continuing to beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air for tender cookies.
- Add Vanilla and Cinnamon: Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling firms the dough for easier handling and helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Remove dough from refrigerator and divide into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball between your palms for a smooth, uniform shape. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies tender.
- Cool and Coat: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine additional powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. While the cookies are still warm, gently roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated for a sweet, spicy finish.
Notes
- For best results, measure flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dense cookies.
- Make sure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the proper dough consistency.
- Refrigerating the dough is essential to maintain the shape and texture of the cookies.
- Do not overbake, as these cookies are intended to be tender and slightly crumbly, not dry.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Keywords: snowball cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, buttery cookies, powdered sugar cookies
