The Perfect Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe for Holiday Magic

Powdery white gingerbread snowballs melt memories of cozy winter afternoons right into your kitchen.

Childhood whispers dance around these delightful treats that sparkle with warmth and spice.

Cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic through each tender bite.

Delicate powdered sugar coats these little spheres like fresh mountain snow.

Festive aromas drift through your home, promising comfort and joy.

Baking these cookies connects you to cherished holiday traditions.

Why Gingerbread Snowballs Are Festive And Fun

• Craft Festive Treats: Dive into a delightful holiday baking experience that transforms simple ingredients into magical gingerbread snowballs bursting with warm spices and nutty crunch.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Joy: Require just a few basic kitchen tools and straightforward mixing steps, making these cookies perfect for bakers of all skill levels from beginners to seasoned pros.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a nostalgic winter dessert that brings families together, offering a delicate balance of sweet powdered sugar coating and rich, aromatic spices that everyone will love.
• Versatile Celebration Dessert: Shine at holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or cozy winter evenings, providing a delectable treat that looks elegant and tastes like a homemade treasure.

Ingredients For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Butter: A rich, creamy foundation that provides flavor and texture to the gingerbread snowballs.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the gingerbread snowballs.
• Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Warm spices that create the signature gingerbread flavor and aroma.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides a deep, complex background flavor to complement the spices.
• Pecans: Adds a nutty crunch and rich depth to the cookie's texture.
• Additional Powdered Sugar (for coating): Creates a festive, snow-like appearance and adds an extra layer of sweetness.

How To Make Gingerbread Snowballs

Step 1: Prepare Butter and Sugar Mixture

Grab a mixing bowl and cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and super fluffy. Whip it with enthusiasm until it looks smooth and cloud-like.

Step 2: Incorporate Vanilla

Pour in the vanilla extract and blend it thoroughly into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring an even distribution of that delightful sweet flavor.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Ground nutmeg

Mix these spices and flour until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the creamed butter mixture. Stir gently but completely to create a cohesive dough that’s well combined.

Step 5: Add Nutty Crunch

Fold in chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for a delicious nutty texture.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small, bite-sized balls, each about 1 inch in diameter. Place these little dough balls onto a baking sheet, leaving some space between them.

Step 7: Bake Gingerbread Snowballs

Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching carefully to ensure they’re set but not browned.

Step 8: Dust with Powdered Sugar

Once the cookies have cooled slightly but are still warm, gently roll each one in additional powdered sugar. This creates a beautiful, snow-like coating that makes these cookies look as magical as they taste.

Tips For Perfect Gingerbread Snowballs

• Swap out pecans for other nuts like almonds or walnuts to accommodate nut allergies or preferences.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Enhance the spice profile by adding a pinch of cardamom or increasing the ground ginger for a more intense flavor.
• Cool cookies completely before storing in an airtight container to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sogginess.
• Experiment with rolling the warm cookies in cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar for a different coating variation.

Flavor Variations For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Balls: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet, rich flavor that complements the warm spices.
• Lemon Zest Gingerbread Cookies: Mix in fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the traditional gingerbread warmth.
• Almond Crunch Gingerbread Treats: Replace pecans with sliced almonds and sprinkle some on top for extra crunch and nutty depth.
• Maple Glazed Gingerbread Drops: Drizzle a light maple glaze over cooled cookies for a sweet, caramel-like finish that enhances the spice profile.

Best Pairings For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Pair Warm Spiced Tea: Rich, aromatic ginger tea perfectly complements the warm spices in these gingerbread snowballs, enhancing the cookie's subtle heat and creating a cozy flavor harmony.
• Serve with Mulled Wine: Deep, complex red wine with cinnamon and clove notes beautifully echoes the cookies' warm spice profile, offering a sophisticated adult pairing.
• Match with Vanilla Custard: Smooth, creamy vanilla custard provides a silky contrast to the cookies' crumbly texture, balancing the intense gingerbread spices with gentle sweetness.
• Enjoy with Cream Liqueur: Smooth Irish cream or similar liqueur creates a luxurious dessert experience, softening the cookies' spicy undertones while adding rich, velvety depth.

Storage Tips For Gingerbread Snowballs

• Store cooled gingerbread snowballs in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keeps texture soft and prevents sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and store for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore original texture and slightly crisp edges. Avoid overheating to prevent drying.
• Let frozen or refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften and regain original taste and tender crumb.

FAQs About Gingerbread Snowballs

• What makes gingerbread snowballs different from regular cookies?

These cookies combine traditional gingerbread spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a melt-in-your-mouth snowball texture, creating a unique holiday treat that’s both spicy and sweet.

• Can I make these cookies without nuts?

Yes, you can easily omit the pecans if you have nut allergies or prefer a nut-free version. The cookie will still have delicious spice flavors and a soft, powdery texture.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their round shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

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• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive winter magic meets sweet comfort in these Gingerbread Snowballs, a delightful treat that whispers holiday cheer. Warming spices and powdered sugar create a perfect harmony you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Sweeteners and Extracts:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes airy and smooth, creating a creamy texture.
3. Incorporate vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.
4. Separately, combine flour, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a clean bowl, whisking to ensure even distribution of spices.
5. Gradually integrate the dry spice mixture into the creamed butter, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
6. Gently fold chopped pecans into the dough, ensuring they are evenly dispersed throughout.
7. Shape the dough into compact, uniform 1-inch spheres using your palms, placing them carefully on the prepared baking sheet with slight separation.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until the edges are set but not browned, maintaining a delicate texture.
9. Allow cookies to cool for 3-5 minutes, then delicately roll each warm cookie in a fresh layer of powdered sugar, creating a soft, snowy coating.

Notes

• Toast pecans lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and release aromatic oils.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and ensure more precise, uniform cookies.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better dough consistency.
• Substitute pecans with other nuts like almonds or walnuts for variety, keeping the same measurement ratio.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 123
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 26 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg