Easy Snowball Cookie Recipe (No Nuts)

These delicious melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies are easy to make and reminiscent of Christmas! They're made without any nuts, so they're perfect for anyone who wants a delicious, quick, and allergy-friendly cookie.

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Snowball cookies, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding cookies, are a classic Christmas cookie. They're traditionally made with ground nuts, but this recipe has no nuts so they're allergy-friendly. This recipe contains 5 simple ingredients and the result is a deliciously crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that's perfect for the holidays.

So if you're looking for an easy snowball cookie recipe that doesn't require any nuts, then this is the perfect recipe for you! These snowballs are easy to make, and they come together in no time. Best of all, they're delicious and sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So why not give them a try today? You won't be disappointed!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Snowball cookies are the perfect recipe for the holidays. We love them and know you will too. Here are some reasons why:

• They're easy to make with only 5 simple ingredients.
• These cookies are nut-free, making them perfect for those with allergies.
• Snowballs are festive yet elegant, perfect for Christmas parties or cookie exchanges.

What You’ll Need To Make Nut-Free Snowball Cookies

• All-purpose flour: Provides the main structure for the cookies. You can use gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed.
• Powdered sugar: Gives the cookies their sweetness and also provides the pretty powdered coating on the outside of the cookie. Be sure to sift your powdered sugar before using
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cookies.
• Vanilla extract: Gives the cookies a delicious flavor and sweet vanilla fragrance.
• Salt: A small amount of salt helps to balance out the sweetness of the cookies.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Before you get started with the cookies, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Next, add the butter the bowl of an electric stand mixer and beat on a medium speed with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy (approximately 2-3 minutes).

Add the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and salt and mix on a low speed until combined.

Next, add the flour to the bowl and mix on a low speed until all of the flour is incorporated and the dough forms.

Roll the dough into 12 even balls and place them in rows on the cookie sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on them and take them out of the oven before they start to brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes until they're cool enough to handle. Then roll each cookie in powdered sugar and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

These cookies are best enjoyed within a few days, but they will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Enjoy with an eggnog latte or a glass of milk!

Serving Suggestions And Substitutions

These cookies are traditionally served with a cup of coffee or tea. They would also be great with a glass of milk or an eggnog latte. Their subtle vanilla flavor makes them a great choice to pair with many different drinks.

As far as substitutions go, you could use different extracts in place of the vanilla extract. Some good choices would be almond extract or peppermint extract. You could also add a small amount of ground spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a little extra flavor.

If you don't have any allergies, you can substitute the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour or even almond flour.

For a fun twist, you could also add some chocolate chips, crushed-up candy cane, or chopped nuts to the dough before baking. Just be sure to chop the nuts finely so they don't fall out of the cookies while you're rolling them.

How To Store Leftovers

Leftover snowball cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

You can also make these snowball cookies in advance and freeze the dough balls before baking them. Just place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they're frozen solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to bake them, just place them on a cookie sheet and bake as directed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do my snowball cookies go flat?

A: If your cookies turn out flat the most likely reason is that your oven is too hot. If the oven is too hot the butter will melt quickly before the other ingredients have set into a cookie structure, resulting in your cookies flattening out. We recommend checking the temperature of your oven with an oven thermometer to ensure it's accurate. Another way to prevent your cookies from going flat is to chill them in the freezer for a few minutes before baking. This will help to firm up the dough so it doesn't spread as much in the oven.

Q: What is the difference between a snowball cookie and a Russian tea cake?

A: Both snowball cookies and Russian tea cakes are small, round cookies that are coated in powdered sugar. The main difference is in the ingredients used to make them. Snowball cookies are made with butter, flour, sugar, and vanilla extract while Russian tea cakes are made with butter, flour, walnuts, and confectioners' sugar.

Q: Where do snowball cookies come from?

A: Snowball cookies are believed to have originated in the United States. The first recorded recipe for them appeared in a cookbook called "The Boston Cooking School Cook Book" by Fannie Farmer in 1896. The recipe was simply called "Snow Balls" and it called for butter, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.

Q: Why are my snowball cookies falling apart after baking?

A: If your cookies are falling apart it's most likely due to the fact that they were not cooked long enough or the dough was too dry. Snowball cookies need to be baked until they're set and lightly golden brown around the edges. If they're not cooked long enough they will be crumbly and fall apart easily. Be sure to check the cookies at the minimum baking time listed in the recipe and then bake them for a few minutes longer if needed. You can also add a few tablespoons of milk or cream to the dough if it seems too dry.

Q: Can I make these cookies with nuts?

A: Yes, you can make snowball cookies with nuts if you'd like. Just add ¼ cup of chopped nuts of your choice to the dough before rolling into balls. We recommend walnuts or pecans.

Tools And Equipment For This Recipe

KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: This mixer is perfect for creaming butter and making cookie dough.

Cuisinart 17-Inch Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware Cookie Sheet: This cookie sheet is the perfect size for baking cookies. It’s nonstick so the cookies won’t stick and it’s dishwasher safe too. The best thing about this cookie sheet is that it doesn’t have any edges, so the air can circulate around the cookies to help ensure you get a nice even bake.

Fayomir Cookie Scoop Set: A cookie scoop is a great way to get uniform-sized cookies. This set comes with 3 different sizes so you can choose the perfect size for your snowball cookies.

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