If you have a soft spot for melt-in-your-mouth treats bursting with a delightful pop of cherry, then you are going to absolutely adore this Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect blend of buttery richness, nutty crunch, and a subtle cherry brightness wrapped up in a snowball of powdered sugar that feels like a sweet little cloud on your tongue. Every bite offers a comforting, festive vibe that’s just irresistible, whether you’re enjoying them for a cozy afternoon snack or sharing at your next holiday gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully selected ingredients. Each element plays a crucial part in creating the perfect texture and flavor balance, from the creamy butter to the bright cherry essence.
- Butter (1.5 cups, room temperature, salted or unsalted): Provides the rich, tender base that makes these cookies so buttery-soft.
- Powdered sugar for dough (0.75 cup): Adds sweetness while helping create that delicate, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (0.5 cup): Gives a slight texture contrast and contributes to the cookie’s tenderness.
- Salt (1 tsp): Enhances all the flavors for a perfectly balanced bite.
- Almond extract (1.5 tsp): This key flavor infuses a warm, nutty aroma complementing the cherries beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (1.5 tsp, pure preferred): Adds depth and a sweet, aromatic note that lifts the dough.
- Cherry extract (0.5 tsp): Boosts the cherry flavor, making each bite irresistibly fruity (can be substituted if necessary).
- Maraschino cherries (0.5 cup, drained and chopped): These bring juicy bursts of bright, sweet cherry flavor inside each cookie.
- Pecans (1 cup, finely ground): Ground nuts add a lovely crunch and earthy flavor, balancing the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (4.5 cups, may vary): The foundation for the dough, providing structure and that perfect crumb.
- Mini chocolate chips (0.75 cup, semi-sweet): Small pockets of melty chocolate that sneak in a subtle richness.
- Powdered sugar for coating (1.5 cups): The final, snowy touch that gives these cookies their signature look and silky sweetness.
How to Make Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Ingredients
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Having all your ingredients ready makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Prepare Cherries and Pecans
Drain the maraschino cherries well and pat them dry to avoid adding excess moisture. Chop them into quarter-inch pieces so they meld beautifully with the dough. Pulse the pecans in a food processor until they reach a flour-like consistency; this ensures a fine texture that integrates seamlessly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the room temperature butter with powdered and granulated sugar. Continue for about 3 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy, which is the secret to lovely, tender cookies.
Step 4: Add Extracts and Salt
Mix in the almond extract, vanilla extract, cherry extract, and salt. Beat for about 30 seconds so these flavors blend evenly, giving your dough that distinct, aromatic charm.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Add the all-purpose flour and ground pecans gradually, in three parts, mixing on low speed until just combined. This gentle incorporation prevents overworking the dough and keeps the cookies tender.
Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips
Carefully fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips. Even distribution is key here to make sure every cookie gets its perfect burst of sweetness and melty chocolate.
Step 7: Shape the Dough Balls
Roll the dough into one-inch balls. For an extra cherry surprise, place one cherry piece in the center of each ball, gently enclosing it with dough. Lay the balls on your prepared sheets about 2 inches apart, giving them room to spread slightly.
Step 8: Bake and Rest
Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through for even coloring. Once baked, let them rest on the pan for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before handling.
Step 9: Coat with Powdered Sugar
While the cookies are still warm, roll each in powdered sugar for the first coating. After they cool completely, roll them a second time for that signature thick, snowy coating that makes these cookies unforgettable.
How to Serve Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe experience even further, consider dusting a little extra powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant, freshly powdered look. You might also add a few whole pecans or a tiny cherry on top as a charming garnish.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a hot cup of cocoa, robust coffee, or fragrant black tea. The contrasting warmth and bitterness beautifully complement the sweet, nutty notes in the cookies, creating a delightful taste harmony.
Creative Ways to Present
Present your cookies on a rustic wooden board dusted lightly with powdered sugar for a cozy vibe. You can also arrange them in festive tins or boxes with a sprig of fresh rosemary or holly for holiday charm—these little details make sharing them even more special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your batch, store leftover Cherry Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to a week, perfect for nibbling on throughout the week without losing their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze unbaked dough balls on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well in airtight containers for up to two months.
Reheating
Enjoy your cookies room temperature or warm them gently in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes to revive that fresh-baked aroma and slightly soften their texture, making each bite taste as amazing as the first time.
FAQs
Can I substitute the maraschino cherries with fresh or dried cherries?
Fresh cherries have too much moisture and can affect the dough’s texture, while dried cherries work as a good alternative but will offer a chewier bite without the bright color or juiciness that maraschino cherries provide.
What if I don’t have cherry extract? Can I skip it?
The cherry extract enhances the cherry flavor, but if you don’t have it, you can omit it or use a little extra vanilla and almond extracts to maintain balance. The chopped cherries still provide plenty of cherry goodness.
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts offer a slightly earthier flavor but pair beautifully with the other ingredients. Just make sure to grind them finely as you would the pecans.
How do I make sure the powdered sugar coating sticks well?
Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re warm helps the sugar adhere perfectly. Allow them to cool completely before rolling again for that thick, classic ‘snowball’ coating.
Are these cookies vegan-friendly?
This recipe uses butter and potentially non-vegan chocolate chips, so it’s not vegan as is. However, with substitutions like vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips, you could adapt the recipe for a vegan version.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you fall in love with this Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe as much as I have. They bring together simple ingredients in a magical way that makes every bite feel like a little celebration. Give them a try, share them with the people you care about, and enjoy a sweet tradition that is sure to become a beloved favorite in your cookie repertoire.
Print
Cherry Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cherry Snowball Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic snowball cookie, combining the sweet and tart flavor of maraschino cherries with crunchy pecans and mini chocolate chips. These buttery, tender cookies are infused with almond, vanilla, and cherry extracts for a rich aroma and finished with a generous coating of powdered sugar for a perfect festive treat.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Butter (Room temperature, salted or unsalted)
- 0.75 cup Powdered sugar (For dough)
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar (Creates tenderness)
- 1 tsp Salt (Enhances flavors)
- 1.5 tsp Almond extract (Key flavor)
- 1.5 tsp Vanilla extract (Pure preferred)
- 0.5 tsp Cherry extract (See substitutions)
- 0.5 cup Maraschino cherries (Drained, chopped)
- 1 cup Pecans (Finely ground)
- 4.5 cups All-purpose flour (May vary)
- 0.75 cup Mini chocolate chips (Semi-sweet)
Coating
- 1.5 cups Powdered sugar (For coating)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Gather all ingredients for easy access.
- Prepare Cherries and Pecans: Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Chop them into quarter-inch pieces. Pulse the pecans in a food processor until they reach a flour-like consistency.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter with powdered sugar and granulated sugar for about 3 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Add Extracts and Salt: Mix in the almond extract, vanilla extract, cherry extract, and salt. Beat the mixture for an additional 30 seconds to combine the flavors evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and ground pecans in three separate additions, mixing on low speed each time until just combined to form a tender dough.
- Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place one cherry piece in the center of each ball before sealing it. Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through baking for even cooking. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly. Once cooled completely, roll them a second time in powdered sugar for a thick, snowy coating.
Notes
- Ensure maraschino cherries are well drained and patted dry to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
- Pulse pecans to a flour-like texture to avoid large nut pieces that might affect the texture.
- Do not overmix after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
- Rolling cookies in powdered sugar while warm helps it adhere better.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- Cherry extract can be substituted with additional almond or vanilla extract if unavailable, but it enhances the cherry flavor significantly.
