Print

Almond Snowball Cookies Recipe

Almond Snowball Cookies Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 30 reviews

These Almond Snowball Cookies are tender, buttery, and delightfully nutty with a hint of fresh orange zest. Lightly crisp on the outside with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, these classic cookies are perfectly dusted with powdered sugar for a beautiful snowy appearance, making them an ideal treat for holidays or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 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 (fine sea salt preferred)
  • 1 cup almond flour (or fine almond meal)
  • 1/2 Tbsp orange zest (from 1 medium orange)

For Rolling

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 3/4 size cookie sheet or two regular cookie sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream together softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, providing a creamy base for the dough.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients with Dough: Switch to the paddle attachment. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and fine salt to the creamed mixture. Once incorporated, add the almond flour and orange zest. Mix until everything is well combined and the dough sticks slightly to the spatula but not to your fingertips. If the dough feels too sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of extra flour.
  4. Shape Cookies: Use a small ice cream scoop or your hands to form 1-inch balls of dough. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart to allow space for spreading. You should get about 38 to 40 cookies. Avoid making them too large as they won’t bake through properly.
  5. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes. Look for golden bottoms and edges that are just barely golden. For softer cookies, baking for 11 minutes is ideal.
  6. Cool and Roll in Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While they are still warm (not hot), roll each cookie in the 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar to coat thoroughly. This initial coating helps the sugar stick perfectly.
  7. Final Dusting: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once at room temperature, roll them again in powdered sugar or dust the tops lightly with a mini sieve for a delicate, snowy finish that makes these cookies irresistible.

Notes

  • Measure the flour properly using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense cookies.
  • Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus aroma and flavor.
  • Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the ideal dough consistency.
  • Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar enhances their classic snowball appearance.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: almond snowball cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, orange zest cookies, powdered sugar cookies, classic snowball cookies

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/almond-snowball-cookies-recipe/