Melt-in-Your-Mouth Snowball Cookies
Snowball Cookies Recipe: Fun Baking with Kids!
Looking for a delightful baking activity to share with your children? Snowball cookies are a fantastic choice! Unlike fermented breads or muffins, they require less hands-on time and have a low failure rate, making them perfect for beginners. These cookies are incredibly tender and offer a subtly sweet flavor that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients- 120g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 150g cake flour
- 10g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 60g powdered sugar (for dough) + extra for coating
- 60g almond flour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 50g raisins (optional)
- 30g walnuts, finely chopped (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the dry ingredients. Sift the cake flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and almond flour together 2-3 times. This process aerates the flour, preventing lumps and ensuring a lighter, finer cookie texture.
Step 2
Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature. It should be pliable enough to press with your finger. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, cream the butter until it becomes light and fluffy, resembling pale yellow ribbons. This creaming step is crucial for achieving a tender and crisp cookie.
Step 3
Gradually add the powdered sugar to the creamed butter, mixing well with a rubber spatula after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated. Next, stir in the vanilla extract for that classic cookie aroma and flavor. It helps to neutralize any ‘buttery’ smell and enhances the overall taste.
Step 4
Add the sifted dry ingredients (cake flour, cocoa powder, almond flour) to the butter mixture. Gently fold them in using a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop gluten and result in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
Step 5
Once the dough comes together, gently fold in the raisins and finely chopped walnuts. These add a delightful chewiness and nutty crunch, enhancing the cookie’s flavor profile. If you prefer a simpler, smoother cookie, you can omit these additions.
Step 6
Scoop portions of dough (about 1-tablespoon size) and gently roll them into balls between your palms. Place the cookie balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they have some space between them. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Step 7
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’re aiming for a pure white snowball cookie, omitting the nuts and raisins from the dough will give you the cleanest appearance. However, including them adds a wonderful texture and flavor complexity.
Step 8
Once the cookies are completely cool, gently roll them in a generous coating of powdered sugar. Ensure each cookie is evenly coated for that signature ‘snowball’ look. It’s very important to let the cookies cool entirely before coating; otherwise, the warm cookies will melt the powdered sugar, creating a sticky mess.
