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Cherry Snowball Cookies Soft, Buttery & Festive Holiday Treats

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!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings: 16 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

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.

                      Notes

                      🧊 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!