Description
Delightfully crumbly Almond Snowball Cookies with a rich buttery texture, perfectly balanced with a hint of orange zest and rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. These classic cookies are tender, nutty, and ideal for festive occasions or anytime you crave a melt-in-your-mouth treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1/2 lb unsalted butter (16 Tbsp), softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, measured correctly
- 1/2 tsp fine salt (such as fine sea salt)
- 1 cup almond flour (or fine almond meal)
- 1/2 Tbsp orange zest (from 1 medium orange)
Coating
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined. Slowly add the all-purpose flour, almond flour, salt, and orange zest, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Shape and chill: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the dough into approximately 1-inch balls. Place the cookie balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill the shaped dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which helps maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Arrange the chilled cookie dough balls evenly spaced on the baking sheet. Bake for about 13 minutes, or until the bottoms are just beginning to turn a light golden brown. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and crumbly.
- Roll in powdered sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool slightly for about 5 minutes. While still warm, gently roll each cookie in the 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, coating it thoroughly to create their signature snowy appearance. Place completed cookies on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easiest creaming and best texture.
- Measuring flour correctly by spooning it into the cup and leveling off avoids dense cookies.
- Chilling the dough before baking prevents spreading and helps the cookie keep its shape.
- Rolling cookies while warm helps the powdered sugar adhere better.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a different flavor profile, try substituting orange zest with lemon zest or adding a dash of cinnamon.
