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If you’re looking for the perfect festive cookie to add to your holiday baking repertoire, these chocolate snowball cookies are exactly what you need! These delightful treats are soft, buttery, and bursting with chocolate flavor. Coated in a generous layer of powdered sugar, they resemble little snowballs, making them an ideal choice for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any winter gathering.
With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe ensures you can whip up these delicious chocolate-snowball-cookies in no time. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a cookie exchange, these cookies will surely steal the spotlight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Appearance: These cookies are dusted with powdered sugar, making them look like snowballs — perfect for the holiday season.
- Irresistible Texture: The tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture is complemented by the slight crunch of ground walnuts.
- Simple Ingredients: No need for specialty items; everything you need is likely already in your pantry.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be prepared in advance, so you’re always ready to bake fresh cookies.
- Versatile: Chocolate-snowball-cookies are great for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or as edible gifts.
Ingredients for Chocolate Snowball Cookies
To make 48 cookies, you’ll need the following:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 3/4 cup butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts (finely ground)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture of your chocolate snowball cookies. The combination of cocoa powder and ground walnuts creates a unique depth of flavor- Walnuts not only add a rich, nutty flavor to your Chocolate Snowball Cookies but also bring along numerous health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, walnuts are a powerhouse of goodness. Learn more about the health benefits of walnuts and why they are a fantastic addition to your diet!”
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Walnuts
Start by finely grinding 1 1/2 cups of walnuts in a food processor. Be careful not to over-process them into a paste. Finely ground walnuts ensure your chocolate snowball cookies have a uniform texture and a nutty richness. Set the ground walnuts aside for later.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 3/4 cup of softened butter. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the mixture on medium speed for about 3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. Add 1 large egg, 1/4 cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well incorporated.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
This dry mixture will give your chocolate snowball cookies their structure and chocolate flavor.
Step 4: Form the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing slowly to avoid overworking the dough. Once the mixture is well combined, stir in the ground walnuts. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Chilling the dough ensures your cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until the tops of the cookies begin to crack slightly.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
Step 6: Coat in Powdered Sugar
Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them in powdered sugar until fully coated. For an extra snowy look, you can roll them a second time just before serving.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Chilling is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Use Fresh Walnuts: Freshly ground walnuts provide the best flavor and texture. Toast them lightly for an even nuttier taste.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies should be soft and slightly underbaked in the center when removed from the oven. Overbaking can make them dry.
- Double-Coat the Powdered Sugar: For a thicker, more festive coating, roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Storing Chocolate Snowball Cookies:
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Making the Dough Ahead of Time:
- Prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking.
- Alternatively, roll the dough into balls and freeze them. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute to the baking time.
Variations and Substitutions
- Nut-Free Option: Replace the walnuts with finely ground oats or omit them entirely for a nut-free version.
- Extra Chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for an extra burst of chocolate flavor.
- Different Nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts to change the flavor profile.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
FAQs About Chocolate Snowball Cookies
1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavors.
2. Why is my dough too sticky to handle? Sticky dough is likely under-chilled. Place it back in the refrigerator for another hour before shaping.
3. Can I skip the powdered sugar coating? The powdered sugar is essential for the classic snowball appearance and adds sweetness. However, you can dust the cookies lightly instead of rolling them if you prefer.
4. How do I ensure even-sized cookies? Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly, ensuring uniform baking.
Why Chocolate Snowball Cookies Are a Must-Have
Chocolate-snowball-cookies are not just a treat; they’re an experience. With their festive appearance, rich chocolate flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they embody the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile, making them perfect for any winter celebration.
Whether you’re creating a holiday dessert platter, participating in a cookie exchange, or simply indulging in a cozy moment with a cup of hot cocoa, chocolate-snowball-cookies are sure to delight everyone. Their nostalgic charm and delectable taste will make them a cherished part of your holiday traditions.
So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients and bake a batch of these delightful chocolate snowball cookies today!
Conclusion
Chocolate snowball cookies are more than just a holiday treat; they’re a celebration of joy, comfort, and togetherness. With their irresistible combination of cocoa, walnuts, and powdered sugar, these cookies are destined to become a favorite in your household. Whether for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any festive gathering, these chocolate-snowball-cookies will always be a hit.
Looking for more festive cookie ideas to complement your Chocolate Snowball Cookies? Check out this Ultimate Guide to Holiday Cookies for a variety of recipes that will brighten up your dessert table. From classic sugar cookies to our creative gingerbread cookies, there’s something for every holiday baker. Also, don’t miss our own Perfect Recipe for Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters.
Happy baking, and may your holiday season be as sweet as these cookies!