Description
Sweet holiday magic unfolds with these gingerbread snowball cookies that dance between warmth and winter whimsy. Dusted with powdered sugar and infused with classic spices, these delightful treats will melt hearts and spark festive cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Spices:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even temperature for baking.
- Using an electric mixer, blend butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Incorporate vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic flavor throughout the mixture.
- In a separate container, combine flour, chopped pecans, ground cinnamon, powdered ginger, and ground cloves, whisking to evenly distribute the spices.
- Slowly integrate the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Craft uniform spherical shapes approximately 1 inch in diameter, placing them carefully on a prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for a set texture without developing golden edges.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest briefly, then delicately coat the warm cookies in a layer of powdered sugar for initial sweetness.
- permit the cookies to cool completely, then repeat the powdered sugar coating to create a final snowy, elegant finish.
Notes
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile for the cookies.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect snowball shape during baking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Use freshly ground spices if possible, as they provide a more intense and vibrant gingerbread flavor compared to pre-ground spices that may have lost their potency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg