Walnut snowball cookies, Russian tea cakes, or Mexican wedding cookies are small, round confections popular in various cultures. They are characterized by their buttery, crumbly texture and generous coating of powdered sugar, which gives them a snow-like appearance. The dough typically consists of flour, butter, finely chopped walnuts, and minimal sugar.
After baking, the cookies are rolled in powdered sugar while still warm and then coated once cooled. This double-coating process ensures a thick, sweet exterior. Walnut snowball cookies are often served during winter holidays, at weddings, or as part of afternoon tea.
Their simplicity of preparation, combined with their rich flavor profile, makes them a favorite among both novice and experienced bakers. The cookies’ versatility allows them to be adapted with different nuts or flavorings, though the classic walnut version remains the most widely recognized.
Key Takeaways
- Walnut snowball cookies are a classic holiday treat. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
- The key ingredients for walnut snowball cookies include butter, powdered sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and finely chopped walnuts.
- To make walnut snowball cookies, start by creaming the butter and sugar, then gradually add the flour, vanilla, and walnuts before shaping the dough into balls and baking.
- Tips for perfecting walnut snowball cookies include using room-temperature butter, chilling the dough before shaping, and rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while still warm.
- Variations and additions to walnut snowball cookies include adding chocolate chips, using different nuts, or incorporating spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a unique flavor.
Ingredients for Walnut Snowball Cookies
Key Ingredients
The key ingredients for these cookies include butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and finely chopped walnuts.
The Role of Each Ingredient
The butter provides the cookies’ rich, buttery flavor and tender texture, while the powdered sugar adds sweetness and a snowy coating. Vanilla extract enhances the cookies’ taste, and the finely chopped walnuts give them a delightful nuttiness and crunch.
Additional Ingredients
Additionally, you will need a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and baking powder to help the cookies rise slightly. These basic ingredients create a delicious and irresistible treat for any occasion.
Step-by-step Instructions for Making Walnut Snowball Cookies
To make walnut snowball cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Whisk together the flour, finely chopped walnuts, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool briefly before rolling them in the remaining powdered sugar while still warm. Once the cookies have cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar again to coat them generously.
Your walnut snowball cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make them. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Whisk together the flour, finely chopped walnuts, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool briefly before rolling them in the remaining powdered sugar while still warm.
Once the cookies have cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar again to coat them generously. Your walnut snowball cookies are now ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for Perfecting Walnut Snowball Cookies
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Walnuts | 1 cup, finely chopped |
| Butter | 1 cup, softened |
| Powdered Sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Vanilla Extract | One teaspoon |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 cups |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Additional Powdered Sugar | for rolling |
There are a few tips to ensure that your walnut snowball cookies turn out perfectly every time. First, make sure to use room-temperature butter to cream the powdered sugar. This will help create a light and fluffy texture in the dough.
Additionally, be sure to finely chop the walnuts so that they distribute evenly throughout the dough and provide a nice crunch in every bite. Aim for uniform size when rolling the dough into balls to ensure even baking. Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm is important to ensure that they adhere well to the surface.
Finally, be generous with the powdered sugar coating for that classic snowball cookie look. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making perfect walnut snowball cookies every time. There are a few tips to remember to ensure that your walnut snowball cookies turn out perfectly every time.
First, cream the powdered sugar with room-temperature butter. This will help create a light and fluffy texture in the dough. Additionally, finely chop the walnuts to distribute evenly throughout the dough, providing a nice crunch in every bite.
Aim for uniform size when rolling the dough into balls to ensure even baking. Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while still warm is important to adhere well to the surface. Finally, be generous with the powdered sugar coating for that classic snowball cookie look.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making perfect walnut snowball cookies every time.
Variations and Additions to Walnut Snowball Cookies
While traditional walnut snowball cookies are delicious on their own, there are plenty of variations and additions you can try to customize this classic recipe. For a festive twist, add a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor. You can also experiment with different types of nuts, such as pecans or almonds, for a unique twist on this recipe.
For chocolate lovers, add mini chocolate chips to the dough for an extra indulgent treat. Another fun variation is to roll the finished cookies in colored sanding sugar or sprinkles for a pop of color and added sweetness. No matter how you customize your walnut snowball cookies, these variations will surely add flavor and fun to this beloved recipe.
While traditional walnut snowball cookies are delicious on their own, there are plenty of variations and additions you can try to customize this classic recipe. For a festive twist, add a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor. You can also experiment with different types of nuts, such as pecans or almonds, for a unique twist on this recipe.
For chocolate lovers, add mini chocolate chips to the dough for an extra indulgent treat. Another fun variation is to roll the finished cookies in colored sanding sugar or sprinkles for a pop of color and added sweetness. No matter how you customize your walnut snowball cookies, these variations will surely add flavor and fun to this beloved recipe.
Serving and Storing Walnut Snowball Cookies
Serving Suggestions
Once you’ve made a batch of delicious walnut snowball cookies, it’s time to serve and enjoy them. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as an afternoon treat with tea or coffee. Arrange them on a festive platter or in decorative tins for a beautiful presentation that will impress your guests.
Storing at Room Temperature
When storing walnut snowball cookies, please keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks, making them an ideal make-ahead dessert for any occasion.
Freezing for Longer Storage
If you’d like to freeze them for longer storage, place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature before serving.
Conclusion and Enjoying Walnut Snowball Cookies
In conclusion, walnut snowball cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion. With their buttery, nutty flavor and snowy appearance from the powdered sugar coating, these cookies will surely be a hit with anyone who tries them. Whether you stick with the traditional recipe or experiment with different variations and additions, walnut snowball cookies are a versatile dessert that is easy to make and always delicious.
So next time you’re looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with family and friends or give as a thoughtful gift, consider making a batch of these irresistible cookies. With their simple yet impressive nature, walnut snowball cookies will surely become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
FAQs
Walnut snowball cookies, Russian tea cakes, or Mexican wedding cookies are small, round, buttery cookies filled with chopped walnuts and powdered sugar.
TButter powdered sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and chopped walnuts. Are the main ingredients in walnut snowball cookies
To make walnut snowball cookies, the ingredients are mixed to form a dough. The dough is then rolled into small balls and baked until golden. Once cooled, the cookies are rolled in powdered sugar to create a snowy appearance.
Walnut snowball cookies have a long history and are believed to have originated in Eastern Europe. They are a popular holiday treat in many countries and are often served at Christmas and other festivals.
No, walnut snowball cookies are unsuitable for people with nut allergies. They contain chopped walnuts as a main ingredient. It is important to be mindful of any allergies when consuming or serving these cookies.
