Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

The delicate crunch giving way to buttery softness, dusted with sweet cinnamon-sugar that melts on your tongue – Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are winter’s most irresistible treat. These festive little morsels transform simple ingredients into something magical, with their snowball appearance making them perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons by the fire. The warm cinnamon aroma fills your kitchen with the essence of comfort and celebration. You’ll learn how to create these melt-in-your-mouth cookies with the perfect texture and flavor balance that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies combine simplicity with extraordinary flavor, making them a standout in your cookie collection. The exterior provides a delightful sandy texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender, buttery interior. What makes these cookies truly special is how the warming cinnamon complements the vanilla-scented dough, creating a flavor profile that’s both nostalgic and exciting.

These cookies require just a handful of pantry staples, yet yield impressive results that look like you spent hours in the kitchen. The no-chill dough means you can satisfy your cookie cravings quickly, while the rolling process is oddly therapeutic – a wonderful activity to share with children or enjoy as mindful solo baking time.

Perhaps best of all, these cinnamon snowball cookies maintain their quality for days, actually improving in flavor as they rest, making them perfect for advance holiday baking or thoughtful homemade gifts packaged in festive containers.

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (120g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

For the cinnamon-sugar coating:

• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

The butter should be truly soft but not melted for proper incorporation. Use high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor profile. The nuts provide textural contrast but can be omitted for allergies. The cinnamon should be fresh and fragrant – this is what transforms traditional snowball cookies into the cinnamon-spiced version that makes these cookies so special.

Pro Tips

Perfect texture control: The key to amazing Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies lies in avoiding overmixing. Once the flour is added, mix just until incorporated – about 10-15 seconds in a stand mixer or a few gentle folds by hand. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough rather than tender cookies. You want the dough to hold together when pressed but still have a somewhat crumbly appearance.

Even sizing technique: For uniform baking, use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or measuring spoon to portion the dough. Roll each portion between your palms with gentle pressure until smooth. Equal-sized cookies ensure they’ll all finish baking at the same time, preventing the frustration of some cookies burning while others remain underbaked.

Double-rolling method: The professional secret to perfect coating is rolling the cookies twice in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll them once when they’re still warm (about 5 minutes after coming out of the oven), then again when fully cooled. The first coating sticks to the warm cookies, creating a flavor-infused base, while the second coating creates that beautiful snowball appearance and extra cinnamon sweetness.

Instructions

Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar with cinnamon until well combined and set aside. This mixture will become the magical coating that transforms these cookies into cinnamon-spiced snowballs.

Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture becoming paler in color and increasing slightly in volume. Add the vanilla extract and beat until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. The dough will appear crumbly at first but will come together when pressed. If using nuts, fold them in gently until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 4
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll between your palms to form smooth balls. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. These cookies spread very little, so you can fit quite a few on each sheet.

Step 5
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are just barely golden and the cookies are set but not browned on top. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes – they’ll be too fragile to handle immediately but need to be warm for the first coating.

Step 6
While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll the cookies a second time in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for the perfect coating. Your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are now ready to enjoy or store for later!

Variations

Chocolate Cinnamon Snowballs: Transform your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies by adding 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough and reducing the flour by the same amount. The rich chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with the warming cinnamon, creating a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired treat. For an extra indulgent twist, add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Snowballs: Create an inclusive version by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. Add ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it. The texture will be slightly different but still deliciously tender, and the cinnamon flavor shines just as brightly in this adaptation.

Spiced Orange Snowballs: Add the zest of one orange and ½ teaspoon of ground cardamom to the dough for a sophisticated flavor profile. The bright citrus notes complement the cinnamon beautifully, making these cookies especially appropriate for holiday gifting with their complex, festive flavor.

Storage and Serving

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies actually improve with age, making them perfect for advance preparation. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent the cinnamon-sugar coating from being disturbed. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – simply thaw at room temperature and give them a fresh roll in cinnamon-sugar if desired.

Serve these cookies alongside a steaming cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or chai tea for the ultimate cozy experience. They make a charming addition to holiday cookie platters or afternoon tea settings. For a festive dessert, crush a few cookies over vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce for a quick cinnamon cookie sundae.

For gifting, stack these snowball treats in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or arrange them in a decorative tin lined with festive tissue paper – their charming appearance and long shelf life make them ideal homemade presents.

FAQs

Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies spread instead of holding their shape, your butter was likely too warm. The butter should be softened but still cool to the touch. Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help if your kitchen is warm.

Can I make these cookies without nuts?
Absolutely! Simply omit the nuts without any other adjustments to the recipe. The cookies will have a smoother texture but will be just as delicious.

Why are my cookies too dry?
Dry cookies usually result from measuring the flour incorrectly. Use the spoon-and-level method instead of scooping directly with the measuring cup, which compacts the flour. Also, be careful not to overbake – these cookies should not brown on top.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If refrigerated, let it come to room temperature before shaping. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
These cookies don’t visibly brown much on top when done. Look for slight golden coloration on the bottoms and a set but tender texture. They will still be quite soft when hot but firm up as they cool.

Conclusion

These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies are comfort food at its finest — buttery little bites of joy that melt in your mouth with warm cinnamon spice and sweet vanilla notes. They’re the kind of treat that bridges generations, with a classic, nostalgic quality that still feels special every time you make them. Whether you’re creating holiday memories, packaging them as heartfelt gifts, or simply enjoying one with your afternoon coffee, these cinnamon-spiced snowballs deliver a moment of pure, simple happiness in every bite.

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