Decadent Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies
Indulge in these delightful Decadent Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies, a perfect treat for any occasion. Baked to tenderness and rolled in powdered sugar, each cookie is a sweet surprise with a burst of maraschino cherry center. Ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or just a sweet snack to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee, these cookies are sure to impress friends and family. The combination of buttery goodness and fruity sweetness makes every bite irresistible!
30
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
powdered sugar
1/2 cup (for the dough)
flour
2 cups (all-purpose)
maraschino cherries
8 ounces (drained and halved)
additional powdered sugar
for rolling (to taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
3
Gradually add in the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
4
Take about one tablespoon of the dough and flatten it slightly in your hand; wrap it around each drained cherry half, making sure to enclose it completely and form a smooth ball.
5
Place the formed balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned.
7
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes on the cookie sheet.
8
While still warm, gently roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar until coated.
9
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, and once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar again for an extra sweet finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies?
They are tender, buttery cookies rolled in powdered sugar with a sweet maraschino cherry hidden in the center.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 30 cookies.
What temperature should I bake these cookies at?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned.
What ingredients are needed for the dough?
The dough requires 1 cup of softened butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
How do I prepare the maraschino cherries?
The cherries should be thoroughly drained and cut into halves before being wrapped in the dough.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheet?
You can either line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
How long should I beat the butter and sugar?
Beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar together for about 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
How do I assemble the snowball cookies?
Flatten a tablespoon of dough, place a cherry half in the center, and wrap the dough around it to form a smooth ball.
How far apart should I place the cookies on the baking sheet?
Space the cookie balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet.
When should I roll the cookies in powdered sugar?
Roll them once while they are still warm (after cooling for 5 minutes) and again once they have cooled completely.
Why do I roll the cookies in sugar twice?
Rolling them twice ensures an extra sweet finish and a thick, beautiful white coating.
Can I use whole cherries instead of halves?
The recipe calls for halved cherries to ensure the dough completely encloses the fruit in a bite-sized ball.
What is the texture of these cookies?
These cookies have a tender, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth texture similar to shortbread.
How much butter is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of butter, which should be softened for easy mixing.
What kind of flour is best for this recipe?
All-purpose flour is recommended for the correct dough consistency.
Are these cookies good for holidays?
Yes, their snowball appearance and festive cherry center make them perfect for holiday gatherings and gift-giving.
Can these cookies be served with drinks?
Absolutely, they are a wonderful accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee.
How do I store the finished cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
Is there actual almond in the ingredients?
While the name includes almond, the base recipe provided uses the flavor profile of the cherries and buttery dough; you may add almond extract if desired.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The serving size is one cookie, with the recipe providing 30 servings.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as a Dessert.
How much powdered sugar is in the dough?
The dough itself contains 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
How many ounces of cherries are needed?
You will need one 8-ounce jar of maraschino cherries.
Should the dough be chilled?
The instructions do not require chilling, but if your kitchen is very warm, you can chill the dough briefly to make it easier to handle.
How do I know the butter is soft enough?
Softened butter should give slightly when pressed but not be melted or oily.
What if my cookies aren't white enough after baking?
Ensure you perform the second roll in powdered sugar once the cookies are completely cool to get that bright white snowball look.
Can I use a different fruit inside?
While maraschino cherries are specified, you could experiment with other small candied fruits or nuts.
Do I need any special equipment?
Just a large mixing bowl, a cookie sheet, and a wire rack for cooling.
Are these cookies very sweet?
They have a balanced sweetness from the buttery dough and the fruit, with the most sweetness coming from the powdered sugar coating.