Sweet Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe: Holiday Joy in Each Bite

Soft, powdery snowballs dusted with spicy gingerbread magic bring winter’s sweetest comfort to your holiday table.

These delicate cookies carry warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg that dance across your palate.

Delightful and easy to prepare, the gingerbread snowballs recipe captures the essence of festive cheer in every single bite.

Rich, buttery dough mingles with classic holiday spices, creating a treat that melts in your mouth.

The gentle coating of powdered sugar transforms these cookies into miniature winter wonders.

Each snowball promises a burst of comforting flavor that connects you to cherished seasonal memories.

You’ll find these irresistible treats perfect for sharing with loved ones during the most wonderful time of the year.

Tips To Make Gingerbread Snowballs Special

• Gingerbread Snowball Magic: Pro Tips & Tasty Twists
• Perfect Texture Trick: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure ultra-smooth, creamy dough that blends effortlessly.
• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Increase or decrease ground ginger and spices based on personal preference – experiment to find your ideal flavor balance.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend to make these delightful snowballs accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Holiday Storage Hack: These cookies keep wonderfully in an airtight container for up to 5 days, making them perfect for advance holiday baking or gifting to friends and family.
• Vegan Transformation: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use plant-based powdered sugar to create a completely dairy-free version that doesn't compromise on delicious gingerbread warmth.

Ways To Serve Gingerbread Snowballs

• Cozy Winter Tea Party: Arrange these gingerbread snowballs on a festive tiered plate with different sizes of tea cups, creating a charming winter afternoon spread perfect for sharing with friends.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Nestle the snowballs in small decorative boxes lined with tissue paper, tied with rustic twine or holiday ribbons for a homemade gift that feels personal and warm.
• Dessert Platter Centerpiece: Create a beautiful holiday dessert display by surrounding the snowballs with cinnamon sticks, whole star anise, and sprigs of fresh rosemary for an elegant, aromatic presentation that captures the season's spirit.
• Festive Milk Pairing: Serve these cookies alongside warm spiced milk or hot cocoa in clear glass mugs, allowing the white powdered sugar coating to contrast beautifully with the rich drink's color.

Storage Tips For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful gingerbread snowballs in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating.
• Freezing Magic: Extend the cookie's lifespan by freezing individual snowballs for up to 3 months. Wrap them carefully in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. This technique allows the spices to blend and intensify, creating a more robust flavor profile. Bring the dough to room temperature before shaping and baking.
• Serving Smart Tip: Keep a separate container of powdered sugar nearby for a quick re-roll before serving. The cookies tend to absorb the sugar, so a fresh dusting right before enjoying will maintain that classic snowy appearance and add an extra touch of sweetness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 23

What’s In Gingerbread Snowballs

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with soft texture and helps bind ingredients together; choose high-quality butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges; look for fine, pure white sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes; pure vanilla works best.
• Molasses: Delivers deep, robust flavor and creates signature gingerbread color; opt for dark molasses for intense taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and determines texture; sift to remove lumps for smooth dough.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors; use fine table salt.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, sweet spiciness; fresher spices offer more vibrant taste.
• Ground Ginger: Delivers classic gingerbread kick; choose freshly ground for maximum flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Adds subtle, complex warmth; whole nutmeg freshly grated offers superior taste.
• Ground Cloves: Contributes deep, rich undertone; use sparingly as flavor can be intense.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates beautiful snowy coating and adds delicate sweetness; sift to prevent clumping.

Baking Tools For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly and quickly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining wet ingredients and mixing the dough.
• Separate mixing bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheets: Necessary for baking the cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire rack: Helps cookies cool completely and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly.

Easy Instructions For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Warm Kitchen Atmosphere

Create a cozy baking environment with soft holiday music playing and a festive mood. Gather your baking tools and ingredients for a delightful gingerbread experience.

• Butter and Sugar Magic

Combine softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, blending until the mixture becomes light and airy. The texture should look creamy and smooth.

• Flavor Infusion

Gently introduce molasses and vanilla, stirring until the wet ingredients create a rich, aromatic base that hints at the delicious cookies to come.

• Spice Blend

In a separate bowl, mix flour with a symphony of warm spices – cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a fragrant dough.

• Cookie Shaping

Tenderly roll the dough into small, uniform balls. Place them carefully on baking sheets, allowing each cookie some breathing room.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the baking sheets into a preheated oven. Watch as the cookies transform, becoming set but not darkened. The kitchen will fill with an incredible gingerbread aroma.

• Snowy Finish

While the cookies are still warm, lovingly roll them in powdered sugar. Once cooled, give them a second dusting to create a magical, snow-kissed appearance.

Festive Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

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• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Classic gingerbread snowballs bring festive winter magic to holiday dessert tables. Spiced cookie perfection rolls sweet memories into powdered sugar-dusted spheres of comfort.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (70 g / 2.5 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar (for rolling)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp molasses

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Instructions

1. Butter Fusion: Cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, integrating vanilla extract and molasses for a rich, aromatic base.
2. Spice Composition: Whisk flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves into a harmonious dry ingredient blend, ensuring even distribution of warming spices.
3. Dough Development: Merge dry ingredients into butter mixture, folding gently to create a uniform dough without overworking, maintaining a tender texture.
4. Precision Shaping: Mold dough into consistent 1-inch spheres, arranging them strategically on parchment-lined baking sheets with adequate spacing.
5. Oven Transformation: Bake at 350F (175C) for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for set edges and minimal browning to preserve delicate cookie structure.
6. Sugared Finish: While cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar for initial coating, then repeat once completely cooled to achieve a pristine, snow-dusted exterior.

Notes

• Prevent Dough Crumbling: Ensure butter is precisely softened at room temperature, not melted, to maintain optimal dough consistency and prevent cookie disintegration.
• Master Spice Balance: Use fresh, high-quality ground spices to maximize flavor depth; stale spices can mute the warm, rich gingerbread profile.
• Control Cookie Texture: Avoid overmixing the dough, which can develop gluten and create tough cookies; mix just until ingredients combine smoothly.
• Powdered Sugar Technique: Roll cookies in powdered sugar while slightly warm for better sugar adherence, then repeat coating after complete cooling for a perfect snowy finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 202
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg