Method
Step 1 β Preheat & Prepare the Baking Sheet
- Preheat oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2 β Cream Butter & Powdered Sugar
- In a mixing bowl, add softened European butter and powdered sugar.
- Beat until creamy, smooth, and fluffy.
- This step creates the signature soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3 β Add Vanilla Extract
- Add vanilla extract.
- Mix until fully incorporated.
Step 4 β Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
Step 5 β Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Mix gently until a soft dough forms.
- Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Step 6 β Shape the Dough
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough.
- Roll into smooth balls using your hands.
- Place onto the baking sheet (cookies will not spread).
Step 7 β Bake
- Bake for 12β14 minutes.
- Tops should stay pale; bottoms lightly golden.
- Do not overbake β softness is key.
Step 8 β First Snowy Coating
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.
- Roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar
- (mix with a pinch of cinnamon if you want extra flavor).
- Place on a cooling rack.
Step 9 β Final Cinnamon Sugar Coat
- Once fully cooled, roll again in powdered sugar for the perfect snowball finish.
- Optional: Mix Β½ teaspoon cinnamon into the sugar for a stronger cinnamon effect.
Notes
π§ Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container up to 7 days. Flavor deepens as cinnamon infuses the cookies. Freezing Dough Freeze unbaked dough balls for 2 months. Bake from frozen: add 2 minutes. Freezing Baked Cookies Freeze before rolling in sugar. Thaw, then roll in fresh powdered sugar. Reheating Not necessary. If desired, microwave 5 seconds for a warm cinnamon effect. π₯ Variations
1. Extra Cinnamon Roll Snowballs Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 tablespoon brown sugar. 2. Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Snowballs Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. 3. Cinnamon Vanilla Bean Snowballs Replace vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste. 4. Churro Snowball Cookies Roll in cinnamon + powdered sugar mixture for a churro-style finish. 5. Cinnamon Almond Snowballs Add 1/2 cup chopped almonds (optional). 6. Cinnamon Apple Snowballs Add 1 tablespoon freeze-dried apple powder for apple-cinnamon flavor. β 10 FAQs
1. Can I use regular butter instead of European butter? Yes β but European butter gives a richer buttery flavor. 2. Can I make these nut-free? They are naturally nut-free unless nuts are added. 3. Why did my powdered sugar melt? Cookies were too hot β cool 2 minutes before rolling. 4. Can I reduce the cinnamon? Yes β use 1β2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon for a mild flavor. 5. Can I add more cinnamon? Absolutely β increase up to 1Β½ tablespoons for extra spice. 6. Why are my cookies crumbly? Too much flour β spoon and level flour correctly. 7. Can I make these gluten-free? Yes β use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. 8. Can I chill the dough? Optional β 10 minutes helps if dough feels too soft. 9. Do they freeze well? Yes β they freeze beautifully. 10. What texture should they have? Soft, tender, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth. π Conclusion These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies capture the true flavor of holiday comfort β warm spice, buttery richness, and snowy sweetness all wrapped into one perfect bite. With their soft interior, gentle cinnamon aroma, and beautiful powdered sugar finish, theyβre ideal for winter baking, holiday parties, or cozy nights at home. Easy to prepare and stunning on any dessert platter, these cookies bring sweet holiday magic with every bite. Once you try them, theyβll become a yearly tradition youβll look forward to making again and again!
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container up to 7 days. Flavor deepens as cinnamon infuses the cookies. Freezing Dough Freeze unbaked dough balls for 2 months. Bake from frozen: add 2 minutes. Freezing Baked Cookies Freeze before rolling in sugar. Thaw, then roll in fresh powdered sugar. Reheating Not necessary. If desired, microwave 5 seconds for a warm cinnamon effect. π₯ Variations
1. Extra Cinnamon Roll Snowballs Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 tablespoon brown sugar. 2. Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Snowballs Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. 3. Cinnamon Vanilla Bean Snowballs Replace vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste. 4. Churro Snowball Cookies Roll in cinnamon + powdered sugar mixture for a churro-style finish. 5. Cinnamon Almond Snowballs Add 1/2 cup chopped almonds (optional). 6. Cinnamon Apple Snowballs Add 1 tablespoon freeze-dried apple powder for apple-cinnamon flavor. β 10 FAQs
1. Can I use regular butter instead of European butter? Yes β but European butter gives a richer buttery flavor. 2. Can I make these nut-free? They are naturally nut-free unless nuts are added. 3. Why did my powdered sugar melt? Cookies were too hot β cool 2 minutes before rolling. 4. Can I reduce the cinnamon? Yes β use 1β2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon for a mild flavor. 5. Can I add more cinnamon? Absolutely β increase up to 1Β½ tablespoons for extra spice. 6. Why are my cookies crumbly? Too much flour β spoon and level flour correctly. 7. Can I make these gluten-free? Yes β use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. 8. Can I chill the dough? Optional β 10 minutes helps if dough feels too soft. 9. Do they freeze well? Yes β they freeze beautifully. 10. What texture should they have? Soft, tender, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth. π Conclusion These Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies capture the true flavor of holiday comfort β warm spice, buttery richness, and snowy sweetness all wrapped into one perfect bite. With their soft interior, gentle cinnamon aroma, and beautiful powdered sugar finish, theyβre ideal for winter baking, holiday parties, or cozy nights at home. Easy to prepare and stunning on any dessert platter, these cookies bring sweet holiday magic with every bite. Once you try them, theyβll become a yearly tradition youβll look forward to making again and again!
