Description
These Soft Cherry Snowball Cookies are perfect for holiday cheer, combining buttery softness with bursts of maraschino cherry sweetness and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. Ideal as festive treats or gifts, these cookies offer a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with optional crunchy pecans or walnuts for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely chopped maraschino cherries (drained and patted dry)
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms that holds together but isn’t sticky.
- Add Cherries and Nuts: Gently fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries and the chopped pecans or walnuts if you are using them. Be careful not to overmix to preserve chunks of cherries.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll each into a ball. Place the dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops will remain pale, which is normal for these delicate cookies.
- Cool and Roll in Sugar: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. While still warm, carefully roll them in powdered sugar to coat the surface.
- Final Cooling: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely. Once cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for a beautiful snowy finish that adds to their holiday charm.
Notes
- Ensure maraschino cherries are drained thoroughly and patted dry to avoid excess moisture which can make the dough too wet.
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans or walnuts.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze in an airtight container and dust with powdered sugar after thawing.
