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Gingerbread Snowballs

Featured in Sweet Delights for Every Occasion.

Give classic snowball cookies a gingerbread twist for the holidays. Mix butter with brown sugar and molasses until fluffy, then add warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Roll into balls and bake until just set—you want them tender inside. While still warm, roll them in powdered sugar, then again when cool for that perfect snowy coating. These cookies combine the cozy flavors of gingerbread with the melt-in-your-mouth texture of snowballs, making them an irresistible holiday treat. Perfect for gifting or sharing with loved ones!
A young woman with wavy hair is gazing down contemplatively in a warmly lit kitchen filled with plants.
Updated on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 23:52:50 GMT
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A close-up of a plate stacked with powdered sugar-coated dessert balls, with one showing a bite taken out to reveal a brown, crumbly interior. Pin it
A close-up of a plate stacked with powdered sugar-coated dessert balls, with one showing a bite taken out to reveal a brown, crumbly interior. | cookingkeys.com

You know those classic snowball cookies everyone loves? Well, I gave them a festive twist by adding warm gingerbread spices, and now they're absolutely irresistible! The story behind these started last Christmas when my daughter asked if we could combine her two favorite holiday cookies. What started as a kitchen experiment has turned into our most requested holiday treat. These little snowballs are perfectly spiced, buttery bits of joy that literally melt in your mouth!

Why These Cookies Spread Joy

These aren't your ordinary snowball cookies! The moment you bite into one, you get this amazing blend of butter and spices that tastes like Christmas itself. Last year, I brought them to our neighborhood cookie exchange, and three different people followed me to my car begging for the recipe! Even my grandmother, who's been making traditional snowballs for 50 years, asked for my 'secret recipe.' They're perfect with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and make your whole house smell like a holiday bakery!

What You'll Need

  • The Basics: Real butter (softened to perfection), powdered sugar (plus extra for coating), pure vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, holiday spice blend (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves), molasses for true gingerbread flavor, and all-purpose flour (measured carefully).
  • Special Equipment: Baking sheets, parchment paper, a mixing bowl, and an electric mixer.

Let's Start Creating

Setting Up Your Holiday Kitchen
First things first get that oven warming up! While it's heating, measure all your spices. I keep my little spice bowls lined up like tiny soldiers ready for duty. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper cleanup is so much easier, and the cookies never stick!
Making The Magic Happen
Cream butter until light and fluffy, then add sugar, vanilla, and spices. The moment you add molasses, the most amazing gingerbread aroma fills the kitchen. My kids always appear like magic when they smell it!
Rolling Time
Roll the dough into little balls. I like mine about a tablespoon in size some prefer bigger, some smaller. Just keep them uniform for even baking!
A close-up image of a white ceramic plate piled high with powdered sugar-coated snowball cookies, one cookie partially bitten to reveal its filling. Pin it
A close-up image of a white ceramic plate piled high with powdered sugar-coated snowball cookies, one cookie partially bitten to reveal its filling. | cookingkeys.com

My Best Baking Secrets

Let your butter soften naturally rushing it in the microwave can change the texture. Measure flour carefully to avoid dryness or spreading. Roll cookies in powdered sugar while warm and again when cool for that perfect snowy look.

Making Life Easy

These cookies freeze beautifully! Roll dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen just add a couple of minutes to the baking time. Last Christmas Eve, I baked a fresh batch at midnight for Santa—they were still warm when we went to bed!

Perfect Pairings

Dunk these cookies in hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or coffee for pure bliss! Arrange them on holiday platters with other cookies, or stack them in a pyramid for a tea party centerpiece. Last year, our Christmas tea party featured these snowballs, and everyone took pictures of their elegance!

Mix It Up Your Way

Try adding finely chopped crystallized ginger for extra zip or roll them in vanilla sugar for a subtle twist. A pinch of cardamom takes these cookies to another level! That's the beauty of this recipe it's amazing as is but perfect for experimenting.

Creating Sweet Memories

These cookies aren't just treats they're part of our family's holiday traditions. My kitchen turns into a magical place with flour dusting everything and powdered sugar like snow. The kids help roll cookies in sugar and sneak bites of dough when they think I'm not looking. Even my teenagers join in when these are baking. That's the real magic of holiday baking creating memories that smell like gingerbread and taste like love!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does the dough look crumbly at first?

The dough starts crumbly but comes together with continued mixing. Keep mixing and it will form a proper cookie dough, though it may take several minutes.

→ When should I roll the cookies in sugar?

Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while still warm but handleable. Once completely cool, roll them again for the perfect snowy coating.

→ Can I make these ahead?

These cookies store well in an airtight container. You may want to give them a fresh roll in powdered sugar before serving if stored for several days.

→ Why use unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter lets you control the exact amount of salt in the recipe. This is especially important for delicate cookies like these.

→ How do I know when they're done baking?

Look for slightly brown bottoms after 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be set but not dark, as overbaking will make them dry.

Gingerbread Snowballs

Traditional snowball cookies with a gingerbread twist, rolled in powdered sugar. These festive treats combine warm spices with buttery cookie dough.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 48 Servings (48 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g).
02 1/2 cup powdered sugar (57g).
03 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
04 1/2 teaspoon salt.
05 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
06 1 teaspoon ground ginger.
07 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
08 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice.
09 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
10 1 tablespoon molasses.
11 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (279g).
12 Extra powdered sugar for rolling.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Beat butter until fluffy, then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, all spices, and molasses until smooth.

Step 03

Add flour and mix until dough comes together, even if it looks crumbly at first. Keep mixing until proper dough forms.

Step 04

Scoop 1 tablespoon portions onto prepared sheets.

Step 05

Cook 10-12 minutes until bottoms are slightly brown.

Step 06

Cool briefly, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Once cool, roll again for full coverage.

Notes

  1. Dough will look crumbly before coming together.
  2. Roll twice in sugar for best coating.
  3. Cost approximately $8 to make.

Tools You'll Need

  • Electric mixer.
  • Cookie sheets.
  • Parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 60
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 1 g