Description
Festive Red Velvet Snowball Cookies bring winter magic to classic holiday treats, melding rich cocoa and powdered sugar in one delightful bite. Crumbly, crimson-hued cookies roll in delicate white sugar will charm guests and spark sweet celebration memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Flavor and Color Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (12 g / 0.4 oz) cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweeteners and Finishing:
- 1/2 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g / 6.3 oz) powdered sugar, for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, using an electric mixer on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes.
- Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, blending thoroughly until the ingredients form a uniform, vibrant mixture.
- In a separate mixing vessel, sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
- Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to prevent overmixing.
- If desired, delicately fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout.
- Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, allowing the ingredients to meld and the dough to firm up for easier handling.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- Using clean hands, shape the chilled dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, placing them approximately 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they appear set but not darkened or overly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure.
- While still slightly warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar, creating an initial delicate coating.
- Once the cookies have completely cooled, roll them a second time in powdered sugar to achieve a thick, snow-like exterior.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more compact, perfectly shaped cookie that holds its snowball form.
- Opt for gel food coloring for intense red color without thinning the dough, ensuring a vibrant festive appearance.
- Toasting nuts before adding them enhances their nutty flavor and provides a delightful crunch to the cookies.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s tender texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 188
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 52mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg