Delightfully sweet and buttery Snowball Cookies with finely chopped pecans are rolled in enough powdered sugar to persuade even the crankiest child into compliance.
Snowball Cookies
This is where I get to ask Meredith questions about her time making snowball cookies. She laughs. I laugh. Hopefully, we can bring you some laughter, too!
What would you rate this recipe?
Eight out of ten? Um. It was a little too salty for me. And, I didn’t really like the nuts. But, I did like the powdered sugar.
How would you describe the flavors and experience of eating this dish with someone who has never tasted it before?
It tastes a little buttery and salty and very sweet. It’s like crunchy and like, hard because of the nuts. It isn’t chewy, but it kind of melts when you eat it.
What part of making this dish did you enjoy the most, and why?
Rolling them in the powder, rolling them in the powdered sugar. Yep. That was really fun.
Did you feel like you learned anything while making it?
The dough was very crummy, and I learned that some doughs are very crummy. Like, it’s not wet. It’s a very dry dough. (Dad’s note: I am leaving this as she answered it. But, we had a good laugh, because she meant “crumbly.”)
If we made it again, what would you want to do differently next time?
I wouldn’t change anything. They taste good this way.
Dad’s Notes
These cookies are actually one of the recipes that came from my grandmother. They go by many, many names, because it turns out that a nutty, buttery shortbread cookie covered in powdered sugar is appealing across a lot of cultures. We heard them called Mexican wedding cookies quite often, growing up in New Mexico.
I love to eat cookies like these with a cup of coffee or tea. The hot beverage is perfect for melting the cookies. And, I can convince myself that it’s not a dessert if it’s eaten a breakfast snack.
Also, this recipe has to be one of the easiest ones I’ve ever baked with Meredith. That’s because we’re visiting my sister for Thanksgiving, and THAT means Aunt Mary did all the planning, mixing, and baking with Meredith. It always makes my heart happy to see my girl helping others in the kitchen the way she helps me.
Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400. Cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Slowly add the flour and salt, and mix just until combined. Stir in the nuts.
- Scoop into 1 inch balls and roll them smooth between your hands. Place on baking sheet, then bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be set, but not browned.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a tray for a minute or two. Then, while they are still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar and set back on a cooling rack.
- Once the cookies have fully cooled, roll them once or twice more in powdered sugar before serving.
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