🎉 Introduction
These Cherry Snowball Cookies are a beautiful holiday twist on the classic snowball cookie — soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, and hiding a sweet maraschino cherry surprise inside. Each cookie is rolled in snowy powdered sugar, creating a frosty winter look that makes them perfect for Christmas cookie boxes, dessert tables, or festive gifting.
The combination of oats, coconut, walnuts, butter, and cherries gives these cookies incredible texture: soft on the inside, tender on the outside, and bursting with holiday flavor. They’re easy to make, fun to shape, and guaranteed to disappear quickly!
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Cooling rack
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar (½ cup for dough + rest for coating)
- ¼ cup instant oats
- 1 pinch salt
Mix-Ins
- ¼ cup sweetened coconut
- ¼ cup walnuts, finely chopped
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
Center Filling
- 15 maraschino cherries (drained and dried well)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter with ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3: Add flour, oats, and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Fold in chopped walnuts and sweetened coconut.
Step 5: Pat each maraschino cherry dry to prevent spreading.
Step 6: Scoop a tablespoon of dough, flatten it in your hand, and wrap it around one cherry to form a ball.
Step 7: Place cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
Step 9: Allow cookies to cool 5 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar while still warm.
Step 10: Once fully cooled, roll again in powdered sugar for the perfect snowball finish.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 14–16 cookies
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.
Reheat
Not necessary — best served at room temperature.
🥄 Variations
⭐ Coconut Cherry Snowballs
Use ½ cup coconut and skip walnuts.
⭐ Almond Cherry Snowballs
Replace walnuts with finely chopped almonds.
⭐ Chocolate Cherry Snowballs
Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough.
⭐ Double Cherry
Add finely chopped cherries to the dough for more color.
⭐ Vanilla Bliss
Add ½ tsp vanilla extract for extra warmth.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why dry the cherries?
To prevent excess moisture and spreading.
2. Can I use fresh cherries?
Fresh or frozen won’t work well — maraschino cherries are best.
3. Can I skip the coconut?
Yes — replace with more oats or nuts.
4. Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce added salt.
5. Why roll twice in powdered sugar?
It creates the classic snowy finish.
6. Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — chill up to 48 hours.
7. Do these cookies spread?
No — they keep their round shape.
8. Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, a 1:1 GF blend works.
9. Why is my dough crumbly?
Add 1–2 teaspoons butter to bring it together.
10. Can I add food coloring?
Optional — a tiny bit of red gives extra festive flair.
🏁 Conclusion
These Cherry Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery holiday gems filled with a sweet maraschino cherry surprise. With their snowy powdered sugar coating, festive color, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they make the perfect Christmas cookie for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a warm winter drink. A simple, joyful, and delicious recipe that brings holiday magic to every bite!
Cherry Snowball Cookies Soft, Buttery & Festive Holiday Treats
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Room Temperature Store up to 5 days in an airtight container. Freezer Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months. Reheat Not necessary — best served at room temperature. 🥄 Variations
⭐ Coconut Cherry Snowballs Use ½ cup coconut and skip walnuts. ⭐ Almond Cherry Snowballs Replace walnuts with finely chopped almonds. ⭐ Chocolate Cherry Snowballs Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough. ⭐ Double Cherry Add finely chopped cherries to the dough for more color. ⭐ Vanilla Bliss Add ½ tsp vanilla extract for extra warmth. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why dry the cherries? To prevent excess moisture and spreading. 2. Can I use fresh cherries? Fresh or frozen won’t work well — maraschino cherries are best. 3. Can I skip the coconut? Yes — replace with more oats or nuts. 4. Can I use salted butter? Yes — reduce added salt. 5. Why roll twice in powdered sugar? It creates the classic snowy finish. 6. Can I make the dough ahead? Yes — chill up to 48 hours. 7. Do these cookies spread? No — they keep their round shape. 8. Can I use gluten-free flour? Yes, a 1:1 GF blend works. 9. Why is my dough crumbly? Add 1–2 teaspoons butter to bring it together. 10. Can I add food coloring? Optional — a tiny bit of red gives extra festive flair. 🏁 Conclusion These Cherry Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery holiday gems filled with a sweet maraschino cherry surprise. With their snowy powdered sugar coating, festive color, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they make the perfect Christmas cookie for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a warm winter drink. A simple, joyful, and delicious recipe that brings holiday magic to every bite!
