🎉 Introduction
These Chocolate Snowball Cookies with a Velvety Surprise are everything a holiday cookie should be — soft, rich, buttery, and irresistibly fudgy with a nutty center that adds the perfect hint of texture. Every bite melts in your mouth like a chocolate truffle wrapped in a snowy cookie shell. With deep cocoa flavor, powdered sugar finish, and a luxurious hidden crunch from pecans or walnuts, these cookies instantly become the star of any Christmas dessert table.
They’re easy enough for beginners yet impressive enough to serve at holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or festive parties. These cookies look like classic snowballs, but the velvety chocolate interior and nutty surprise turn them into something magical, warm, and big on flavor.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Small bowl for powdered sugar
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavor
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Nuts
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
Dairy
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
Step 3: Add granulated sugar and powdered sugar. Mix until light and well combined.
Step 4: Add vanilla extract and continue mixing until incorporated.
Step 5: In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Step 6: Add the dry mixture into the butter mixture and mix until a thick dough forms.
Step 7: Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
Step 8: Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into smooth balls.
Step 9: Place cookie balls evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 10: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are set and the tops remain soft.
Step 11: Cool for 3–4 minutes, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
Step 12: Once cooled completely, roll again in powdered sugar for a thick, snowy coating.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 22–26 cookies
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
Reheating
No reheating required — simply thaw before serving.
🥄 Variations
⭐ Velvety Chocolate Truffle Center
Press a tiny chocolate square into the dough ball before baking.
⭐ Nut-Free Version
Omit nuts and add chocolate chips.
⭐ Mocha Snowballs
Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules.
⭐ Double Cocoa Snowballs
Roll cookies in cocoa powder before powdered sugar.
⭐ Holiday Peppermint Snowballs
Add crushed candy cane to the dough.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use Dutch-process cocoa instead of natural cocoa?
Yes — it enhances the richness.
2. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce added salt to a pinch.
3. Why are my cookies dry?
Your dough may have too much flour. Spoon and level your flour—never pack it.
4. Do these cookies spread?
No — they stay round like classic snowballs.
5. Can I remove the nuts?
Yes — replace with mini chocolate chips.
6. Can I freeze the unbaked dough balls?
Yes — freeze up to 2 months.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — these freeze and gift beautifully.
8. Why roll cookies twice in powdered sugar?
The first coat melts into the cookie; the second creates a snowy finish.
9. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
10. Why is the inside velvety?
The butter-cocoa ratio creates a truffle-like soft center.
🏁 Conclusion
These Chocolate Snowball Cookies with a Velvety Surprise combine rich cocoa flavor, buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture, and a hidden nutty crunch for the ultimate Christmas cookie experience. They’re beautiful, festive, indulgent, and incredibly easy to bake — perfect for cookie platters, holiday gifting, party trays, and cozy winter moments with family.
Once you try them, they’ll become one of your most requested holiday recipes year after year.
Chocolate Snowball Cookies with a Velvety Surprise – Rich, Soft & Melt-In-Your-Mouth
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Ingredients
Adem Recipes Daily App
Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
Coming Soon
Equipment
Method
Notes
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Freezer Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Reheating No reheating required — simply thaw before serving. 🥄 Variations
⭐ Velvety Chocolate Truffle Center Press a tiny chocolate square into the dough ball before baking. ⭐ Nut-Free Version Omit nuts and add chocolate chips. ⭐ Mocha Snowballs Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules. ⭐ Double Cocoa Snowballs Roll cookies in cocoa powder before powdered sugar. ⭐ Holiday Peppermint Snowballs Add crushed candy cane to the dough. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use Dutch-process cocoa instead of natural cocoa? Yes — it enhances the richness. 2. Can I use salted butter? Yes, but reduce added salt to a pinch. 3. Why are my cookies dry? Your dough may have too much flour. Spoon and level your flour—never pack it. 4. Do these cookies spread? No — they stay round like classic snowballs. 5. Can I remove the nuts? Yes — replace with mini chocolate chips. 6. Can I freeze the unbaked dough balls? Yes — freeze up to 2 months. 7. Can I double the recipe? Absolutely — these freeze and gift beautifully. 8. Why roll cookies twice in powdered sugar? The first coat melts into the cookie; the second creates a snowy finish. 9. Can I make them gluten-free? Yes, with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. 10. Why is the inside velvety? The butter-cocoa ratio creates a truffle-like soft center. 🏁 Conclusion These Chocolate Snowball Cookies with a Velvety Surprise combine rich cocoa flavor, buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture, and a hidden nutty crunch for the ultimate Christmas cookie experience. They’re beautiful, festive, indulgent, and incredibly easy to bake — perfect for cookie platters, holiday gifting, party trays, and cozy winter moments with family. Once you try them, they’ll become one of your most requested holiday recipes year after year.
