Amazing cinnamon sugar snowball cookies: 1 dream

Oh, I am so glad you landed on this page! If the holidays—or just a quiet afternoon—call for something unbelievably buttery and sweet, you’ve found your new absolute favorite. Forget those cookies that are too delicate or dry; we’re making **cinnamon sugar snowball cookies** that truly live up to the hype. I’ve tweaked this classic until it achieves that perfect, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and we’re giving the traditional dusting a flavorful upgrade with that warm cinnamon crunch.

Sharing recipes that bring genuine, simple joy into your kitchen is exactly why I started this site. Trust me when I say this is my goal for you: creating the absolute **best snowball cookies ever** without any fuss or complicated steps. Let’s get baking!

Why You Will Love These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

There are so many holiday cookie recipes out there, but these particular spiced butter cookies truly stand out. They are designed to deliver maximum flavor and that satisfying, buttery quality without any stress. You deserve delicious results!

• The Texture is Everything: Honestly, these are the definition of melt in your mouth cookies. They’re delightfully crumbly and vanish the second they hit your tongue.
• No-Fuss Holiday Baking: This is such an easy holiday cookie recipe. You mix, you scoop, you bake, and then you coat. Simple steps mean less time worrying and more time enjoying the season!
• Flavor Twist: We skip the plain powdered sugar in the final step for a genuinely special coating. That blend of sweetness and spice makes these fantastic cinnamon dusted cookies unique.
• Perfectly Bite-Sized: These are ideal for sharing at parties or stacking high on a festive dessert tray. They are the ultimate bite sized holiday sweets.
• So Buttery: If you’re searching for the ultimate buttery snowball cookies recipe, this is it. The high fat content guarantees richness in every speck of that crumbly cookie dessert.

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Gathering Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

Okay, let’s talk about what you need to pull off these incredible cinnamon sugar snowball cookies. The good news is—this won’t require a trip to a specialty store! We rely on simple pantry staples to create that magical, melt-away quality. When you look at the list, notice we actually have three coating elements, which is the secret to the best powdered sugar alternative cookies.

I always keep my ingredients measured out before I even turn the mixer on. It saves so much hassle, especially when holiday baking gets hectic. For the buttery base, you’ll want:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (Make sure this is soft to the touch, not melted!)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (This is optional, but I highly recommend them for that hint of texture.)

Now, for the coatings that make these spiced butter cookies famous. We’re using a two-step process here to lock in that flavor. You’ll need:

1. 1/2 cup powdered sugar (This is the base coat!)
2. 1/4 cup granulated sugar (This joins the spice!)
3. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (Hello, warmth!)

Mixing that final cinnamon sugar coating is the best part. It smells incredible! If you are looking for more flavor ideas that blend well with this warmth, check out my tips on making easy cinnamon butter—it’s the same flavor profile, just in a different form!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

Alright, let’s get these cinnamon sugar snowball cookies mixed up! Baking should be fun, not a science experiment, so just follow these steps closely. We’re aiming for that beautiful, soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the dough mixing is key to achieving that signature crumbly cookie dessert quality. And hey, if you need these for a party, remember that mastering these quick recipes is the secret to easy entertaining!

Preparing the Buttery Cookie Dough Base

First thing: preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and grab your parchment paper. In your big mixing bowl, we need to cream that softened butter with the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar really well until it gets light and fluffy. This is what builds the structure for our buttery snowball cookies recipe. Then, drop in your vanilla. Once that’s creamy goodness, gradually add in your dry stuff—flour and salt—mixing only until it just comes together. Don’t you dare overmix! Seriously, stop mixing the second you don’t see dry flour streaks. That’s how we keep them tender.

Baking and Initial Cooling of Your Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

Roll your dough into those little one-inch balls now, spacing them about two inches apart on your baking sheet. Toss them in the oven for just 10 to 12 minutes. You want them barely set and still quite pale on top. We’re not going for golden brown here; we’re keeping that classic white snowball look! Once they come out, resist the urge to touch them for a full five minutes right there on the sheet. If you move them too soon, they might crumble apart before they have a chance to firm up!

The Double-Coating Technique for Cinnamon Dusted Cookies

This is where the magic happens for our amazing cinnamon sugar snowball cookies! While those little guys cool slightly, set up your two coating stations. In one dish, put just the plain powdered sugar. In the second, whisk the remaining granulated sugar together with the cinnamon. We coat them twice because the first roll in plain powdered sugar creates this sticky barrier. It helps that final spicy cinnamon sugar layer stick perfectly! So, warm cookie goes into the plain white, then immediately into the spice mix until they are fully coated. Place them on the rack to cool completely after that final roll.

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Expert Tips for Making Melt in Your Mouth Cookies

If you want these cinnamon sugar snowball cookies to truly live up to the name and deliver that fantastic melt-in-your-mouth cookies experience, you need to pay attention to a few non-negotiable details. I learned these little secrets after way too many batches that were just ‘okay.’ You want ‘wow,’ right? I got you covered!

For the best temperature control on ingredient quality, check out my advice on achieving that perfect texture in classic melt-in-your-mouth butter cookie recipe. But for these snowballs, here are the must-dos:

• Butter Softness is Crucial: This is my biggest point regarding the buttery snowball cookies recipe. The butter must be *softened*, meaning you can easily press a finger into it, but it absolutely cannot be melted or greasy. If it’s too warm, those critical air pockets we create during creaming collapse, and you end up with flatter cookies that spread too much.
• Don’t Skip the First Powdered Sugar Roll: I know it seems like an extra step, but rolling them first in plain powdered sugar before hitting the cinnamon sugar mix is vital for the best coverage. That initial light coat acts like a primer coat for paint—it helps the final, beautiful cinnamon sugar layer adhere evenly. If you skip it, you get snowy spots with bare cookie showing through!
• Watch the Oven Closely: Remember, these cookies are supposed to be pale! They are baking from the bottom up. Pulling them out the moment the edges look ‘set’ prevents them from drying out. A minute too long, and that fantastic crumbly texture vanishes.
• Freezing Tip for Future You: If you’re doing a ton of festive dessert ideas and need to bake ahead, freeze the dough balls *after* they are rolled but *before* they get their first powdered sugar coat. Then, when you’re ready to finish them off, just pull them from the freezer, roll them in the sugar mixture, and bake. They come out gorgeous!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Festive Dessert Ideas

I totally get it—when the holidays get busy, having some make-ahead options is a lifesaver. These cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are fantastic because they are sturdy little things, but handling the coating is where we need a little strategy if we’re baking early for Christmas snowball cookies platters. Taking shortcuts where you can is the key to good, reliable easy entertaining!

When it comes to storing the finished cookies, remember that the second coating of sugar acts like a sealant. Once they are completely cool after their final roll—and I mean totally cool, give them a few hours—you can simply place them in an airtight container. They stay delightfully soft and fresh for a solid week, maybe even ten days if you keep them tucked away somewhere cool. Storing them improperly is definitely not the way to achieve that perfect crumbly cookie dessert!

If you’re planning to get ahead early, here’s the pro move I swear by for all my easy holiday cookie recipes:

• Bake First, Coat Later: You bake the dough balls right up until Step 6 in the recipe instructions—that’s when they come out of the oven and rest for five minutes. Let them cool completely on the wire rack, but DO NOT roll them in any sugar yet.
• Freeze the Balls: Once fully cooled, slip those pale, plain cookie balls into a heavy-duty freezer bag. Seriously, they freeze like a dream! You can leave them like this for up to three months.
• Finishing Touch for Serving: When you’re ready to serve them a week before Christmas (or whenever you like!), set out your powdered sugar and your cinnamon sugar mix. Take the cookies right from the freezer, roll them in the powdered sugar first, and then in the cinnamon sugar. They thaw and warm slightly during this process, which actually helps the coatings adhere even better than if you rolled them warm. It’s like magic!

This strategy lets you manage your time so much better, ensuring you always have fresh-tasting treats ready to go. It’s what makes these such wonderful festive dessert ideas that don’t add stress!

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Variations on Classic Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

One of the things I truly love about these buttery snowball cookies recipe is how beautifully they take on other flavors. They are sturdy enough to handle little tweaks without losing that essential melt-in-your-mouth quality. We already talked about adding pecans or walnuts, but if you want to mix things up for your next batch of classic cookie variation recipe, try these simple switches. They keep the cookie approachable, which is always my goal!

If you prefer a bolder spice profile, you don’t have to stick just to cinnamon. A tiny addition goes a long way in these little beauties. Thinking of adding nuts? Remember, they are optional, but they really give these treats a nice structural contrast to all that softness!

Exploring New Spice Combinations

The cinnamon is the star, but it plays well with others! If you have ground nutmeg or cardamom in your spice rack, this is the time to pull them out. For a batch of about three dozen, I recommend swapping out just half a teaspoon of the cinnamon for either ground nutmeg or cardamom. Nutmeg brings a warm, cozy background note that feels very traditional—perfect for those winter cookie recipes vibes. Cardamom is a bit brighter and gives a lovely, slightly exotic lift to the simple butter cookie without tasting totally different.

Extract Swaps for Extra Depth of Flavor

Vanilla is a must, but we can definitely layer flavors here. When you’re mixing in that vanilla extract in Step 2 of the dough, try swapping it out entirely for almond extract, or maybe a combination. Almond extract has such a distinct, slightly retro holiday taste that pairs wonderfully with the toasted nuts if you use them. Since almond is strong, start with just 1/2 teaspoon and taste the dough if you’re feeling adventurous, or stick with 1 teaspoon of vanilla if you want to keep things classic. Believe me, these little flavoring changes make a big difference in how people perceive these homemade cinnamon treats!

A Zestier Coating for a Bright Finish

You know how much I love adding a little zing to sweet things! When you are preparing that final cinnamon sugar coating, consider adding the zest of one small orange. Yes, just the zest! You don’t need the juice, just the flavorful oils from the peel grated right into the sugar and cinnamon mixture. This brightens up the entire cookie and cuts through some of that richness, making them feel lighter. It’s such a simple trick that elevates your cinnamon dusted cookies right away. If you want to explore more flavor layering, check out some of my favorite ways to infuse flavor into baked goods, like these pizzelle cookies which use citrus zest masterfully!

Serving Suggestions for These Spiced Butter Cookies

Now that you have a giant batch of the best snowball cookies ever—golden, tender, and perfect—the next crucial step is deciding what to serve them with! Honestly, these cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are so wonderfully rich and buttery, they almost demand a warm hug in a mug right alongside them. Since these are some of my favorite winter cookie recipes, I always lean into comforting, warm pairings.

These little bites are perfect for setting out on a platter during a get-together, but they truly sing when paired with the right beverage. My goal is always to make the moment feel special, even if it’s just me sneaking a few cookies after the kids go to bed!

Here are a few ways I love to present these delicious festive dessert ideas:

• The Perfect Hot Drink Companion: Nothing cuts through the richness of a buttery cookie better than a hot beverage. For the holidays, I lean into a mug of spicy mulled cider or a great cup of strong black coffee. If you’re feeling extra cozy, try making my amazing creamy hot chocolate—the dark chocolate is a wonderful counterpoint to the sweet cinnamon coating.
• Platter Pairing: If you’re making a large cookie spread, these snowballs look gorgeous nestled next to something bright! Try pairing them with a tart cranberry shortbread or maybe some crisp lemon cookies. The contrast in texture—ours are soft and crumbly, remember?—keeps people coming back for more.
• An After-Dinner Treat: Because these are so bite-sized, I love serving just two or three alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold ice cream against the room-temperature, spiced butter cookie is just heavenly. It turns a simple cookie into a real, plated dessert!

Whatever you serve them with, these cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are guaranteed to disappear fast!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

I get so many wonderful questions about these little mountains of joy! That’s what I love about sharing easy holiday cookie recipes—everyone has their own unique kitchen challenges. I hope these quick answers help you feel totally confident tackling these cinnamon sugar snowball cookies. If I didn’t cover your burning question, feel free to reach out via my contact page!

Can I make these without nuts for a different snowball cookie?

Absolutely, you can! I put the pecans or walnuts in there because I love that little bit of crunch to contrast the soft center, but they are totally optional. If you skip them entirely, guess what happens? You get even more of that famously soft, tender texture! These become strictly melt in your mouth cookies when you leave the nuts out. They might even be easier to handle since you don’t have to worry about rough edges from the chopped nuts.

What is the secret to keeping these cookies soft?

If you want the absolute best snowball cookies ever, you need to focus on two things: the fat and the fire! First, the butter absolutely needs to be properly softened—not melted! Soft butter traps air when you cream it, and that air turns into crumbly tenderness when baked. Second, and this is huge: DO NOT overbake! When these spiced butter cookies start to brown on the bottom, they are already starting to dry out. Pull them when the edges just look set. A little pale color is exactly what we are aiming for!

Estimated Nutrition for Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

I know many of you are keeping track of what you’re eating, especially during the holidays when it’s easy to overindulge! While these cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are made with love and definitely count as a treat, I always want to give you an idea of what’s in them.

Please remember that this information is based solely on the ingredients list provided, assuming a yield of about 3 dozen cookies as specified in the recipe. Every oven bakes differently, and precise measurements can vary slightly, so consider this a general guide!

For full details and context on how I calculate these estimates, you can always check out my general site disclaimer right here: General Nutrition Disclaimer.

Here is the estimated nutritional breakdown per cookie:

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 110
• Fat: 7g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 1g
• Sodium: 25mg
• Cholesterol: 20mg

Even knowing this, they are still delightfully light and airy! That’s the magic of a properly mixed dough—it keeps these festive dessert ideas from loading up on unnecessary density. Enjoy every bite!

The Ultimate Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies (Easy Holiday Baking)

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I am so glad you are here. These buttery cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are soft, crumbly, and melt in your mouth. This recipe provides a simple, delicious twist on the classic holiday treat, perfect for sharing.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 12 min
• Total Time: 32 min
• Yield: About 3 dozen 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for texture)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for the initial coating)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for the final coating)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for the final coating)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step builds the buttery base.
3. Beat in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. If using nuts, mix them in now. Do not overmix the dough.
5. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are barely set and the bottoms are lightly golden. You want these cookies to remain pale for that classic snowball look.
7. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
8. While the cookies cool slightly, prepare the coatings. In one shallow dish, mix the 1/2 cup powdered sugar. In a second shallow dish, whisk together the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
9. While the cookies are still warm, gently roll each cookie first in the plain powdered sugar. This helps the second coating stick.
10. Immediately after the powdered sugar coat, roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
11. Place the finished cinnamon sugar snowball cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. These crumbly cookie desserts are best stored in an airtight container once cool.

Notes

• For the best melt-in-your-mouth cookies texture, make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted.
• If you skip the initial powdered sugar roll, the cinnamon sugar coating may not adhere as evenly.
• These spiced butter cookies freeze well before the final coating. Roll them in powdered sugar, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Coat them right before serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 110
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 25mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg