Heavenly Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

Festive Cocoa Snowball Treats: A Winter Delight Recipe

Soft, buttery dough rolled into delicate snowball cookies with rich chocolate melts in your mouth like winter magic.

These classic holiday treats bring warmth to chilly evenings.

Powdered sugar coating creates a stunning snowfall effect on each perfectly round morsel.

Crumbly texture and deep chocolate flavor combine in an irresistible bite-sized delight.

Simple ingredients transform into an elegant dessert that surprises and delights.

Bakers of all skill levels can master these melt-in-your-mouth cookies with ease.

Serve these delectable snowballs and watch smiles spread across eager faces.

Tips To Improve Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Snowy Secrets: Perfecting Chocolate Snowball Cookies
  • Butter Wisdom: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture. Cold butter creates lumpy dough that doesn't blend evenly.
  • Nut-Free Option: Skip the chopped nuts for a classic chocolate snowball cookie that's perfect for nut allergy sufferers. Substitute with extra chocolate chips or leave plain.
  • Gluten-Free Magic: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better binding.
  • Flavor Boosters: Add a pinch of espresso powder or orange zest to intensify the chocolate flavor. These secret ingredients elevate the cookie's rich taste without overwhelming the delicate texture.
  • Storage Savvy: Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for up to a week and maintain their delightful powdery coating.

How To Serve Chocolate Snowball Cookies Neatly

  • Winter Holiday Treat Pairing: Serve these chocolate snowball cookies alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha for a cozy seasonal experience.
  • Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the snowball cookies on a beautiful white platter with a light dusting of extra powdered sugar, creating an elegant winter wonderland display perfect for holiday gatherings.
  • Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or colleagues during the winter season.
  • Coffee Companion: Enjoy these rich chocolate cookies with a warm espresso or cappuccino, letting the powdery sweetness complement the robust coffee flavors for a delightful afternoon treat.

How To Store Chocolate Snowball Cookies Well

Cool completely before storing in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days at room temperature.

  • Freezing Magic: Package cookies between parchment layers in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 3 months, perfect for make-ahead treats.
  • Powdered Sugar Tip: Keep extra powdered sugar in a separate small container for quick re-coating when serving, ensuring a beautiful snowy appearance.
  • Ingredient Freshness: Store chopped nuts in sealed containers away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent rancidity and maintain crisp cookie texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

What Goes Into Chocolate Snowball Cookies

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps cookies achieve tender texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and helps bind ingredients.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and gives cookies their classic crumbly texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
  • Chopped Nuts (Optional): Adds delightful crunch and nutty undertones.
For Coating:
  • Powdered Sugar: Mimics snow-like appearance and provides sweet, delicate finish.

Tools For Making Chocolate Snowball Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and creating the cookie dough.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect cookie texture and taste.
  • Baking sheets: Lined with parchment paper for even baking and easy cookie removal.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar to a creamy consistency.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
  • Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Creates uniform cookie sizes for consistent baking.
  • Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and scrape down bowl sides.

How To Bake Chocolate Snowball Cookies Right

  • Oven Warmup

Crank up the kitchen to a toasty 350 degrees. Grab your baking sheets and line them with silky parchment paper for a perfect non-stick surface.

  • Dough Magic

Grab your mixing bowl and whip butter and powdered sugar into a dreamy, cloud-like mixture. Splash in some vanilla and a pinch of salt for that extra flavor punch. Slowly fold in cocoa and flour until everything hugs together like best friends.

  • Cookie Shaping

Scoop out little chocolate balls with tender care. Arrange these delectable orbs on your prepped baking sheets, giving them just enough personal space.

  • Baking Moment

Slide the trays into the heated oven. Watch these chocolatey gems transform for about 10-12 minutes until they look perfectly set but not too dark.

  • Snowy Finish

While the cookies are still warm and cozy, give them a luxurious powder sugar bath. Roll each one until completely covered in white. Let them cool completely, then dust them again for that magical snow-kissed look.

Print
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Heavenly Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 25 reviews

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

Description

Mexican wedding cookies with rich chocolate flavor offer a delightful winter treat. Powdered sugar coating and nutty crumbles create irresistible holiday magic for cookie enthusiasts who crave sweet comfort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup (90 g / 3.2 oz) pecans or walnuts, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for uniform heat distribution and cookie release.
  2. Dough Creation: Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, blending in vanilla extract and salt. Gradually incorporate flour, cocoa powder, and chopped nuts, mixing until a consistent dough forms with rich chocolate undertones.
  3. Cookie Formation: Portion dough into uniform tablespoon-sized spheres, rolling each into smooth balls. Position cookies on prepared baking sheets, allowing adequate spacing for gentle expansion during baking.
  4. Baking Transformation: Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring closely to ensure cookies set without over-browning. The goal is maintaining a delicate chocolate profile while achieving a perfectly tender texture.
  5. Powdered Sugar Finishing: While cookies remain slightly warm, first roll them in powdered sugar for initial coating. Allow cookies to cool completely, then execute a second powdered sugar dusting to create a pristine, snowball-like exterior that evokes a serene winter aesthetic.

Notes

  • Maintain Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for a perfect dough texture, preventing crumbly or greasy cookies.
  • Control Cocoa Powder Intensity: Use high-quality cocoa powder and adjust quantity to balance chocolate flavor without overpowering the delicate cookie structure.
  • Handle Nut Selection Carefully: Choose finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for optimal texture, ensuring even distribution and preventing cookie crumbling.
  • Master Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies in powdered sugar while slightly warm for first coat, then again when completely cooled to achieve a pristine, snow-like appearance and prevent sugar absorption.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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