Description
Delight in these buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies, perfectly spiced with cinnamon and optionally studded with crunchy nuts. These classic holiday treats are rolled in cinnamon sugar while warm for an extra burst of sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender cookie.
- Add Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with a rich aroma and flavor.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground cinnamon to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms with even distribution of spices.
- Add Nuts (Optional): Fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts if using, adding a delightful crunch to the cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Place these on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until the bottoms turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool Briefly: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes to firm up slightly before handling.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly to create the coating.
- Coat Cookies: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated, enhancing their sweetness and cinnamon flavor.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans or walnuts.
- Ensure butter is softened for easier creaming and better texture.
- Cookies will firm up more as they cool, so do not overbake to keep them tender.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the coated cookies once cooled.
