Decadent Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Embrace the holiday spirit with these Decadent Chocolate Snowball Cookies! With a rich chocolate flavor complemented by the sweetness of powdered sugar, these treats are sure to bring joy to your festive celebrations. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie that melts in your mouth, with delightful bursts of chocolate from the chocolate chips throughout. They are perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!), and their make-ahead nature allows you to whip them up well in advance, ensuring you have a delicious treat ready whenever the mood strikes. Pack them for holiday parties, place them on your dessert table, or simply enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa while cozying up by the fireplace. Just be warned: they’ll disappear faster than you can say ‘Christmas magic’!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsweetened chocolate
4 ounces (melted and cooled)
shortening
1/2 cup (melted with chocolate)
sugar
2 cups (granulated)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (pure)
eggs
4 (large)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
baking powder
2 teaspoons (sifted with flour)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (sifted with flour)
chocolate chips
6 ounces (semi-sweet)
powdered sugar
1 cup (sifted for coating)
Instructions
1
Begin by melting the unsweetened chocolate and shortening together in a double boiler over hot water. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled chocolate mixture and sugar, beating until well blended. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
3
Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This will result in a smooth and airy batter.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the chocolate mixture, stirring until just combined.
5
Fold in the chocolate chips, incorporating them evenly throughout the batter.
6
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
7
Once chilled, divide the cookie dough into two equal halves, then divide each half into three equal pieces. Each piece will yield one dozen cookies.
8
Roll each piece into a ball, ensuring they are even in size.
9
If you prefer to freeze the cookies for later, place the balls on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container for easy storage.
10
When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If the cookie balls are frozen, roll them gently between your palms to warm them slightly before coating.
11
Roll each ball generously in sifted powdered sugar until well coated. Place the sugar-coated balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes. The cookies should be soft in the center but will set as they cool. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Chocolate Snowball Cookies?
Decadent Chocolate Snowball Cookies are rich, festive treats featuring a deep chocolate flavor and a signature coating of powdered sugar that resembles snow.
What is the flavor profile of these cookies?
They offer a rich chocolate taste complemented by the sweetness of granulated sugar and powdered sugar, with extra bursts of flavor from semi-sweet chocolate chips.
What is the texture of a Chocolate Snowball Cookie?
These cookies are designed to be soft and chewy on the inside, providing a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
What type of chocolate is used for the base of the dough?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate, which is melted and cooled before mixing.
What fat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of shortening, which is melted together with the unsweetened chocolate.
How much sugar is required for the dough?
The dough requires 2 cups of granulated sugar.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 4 large eggs for this recipe.
What is the best way to incorporate the eggs?
Eggs should be added one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next to create a smooth and airy batter.
Do I need to sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, you should sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt before adding them to the wet ingredients.
What kind of chocolate chips should I use?
The recipe recommends using 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
How should the chocolate and shortening be melted?
They should be melted together in a double boiler over hot water and stirred until smooth.
Is chilling the dough necessary?
Yes, the dough must be covered and refrigerated for several hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
How do I divide the dough for even cookies?
Divide the dough into two equal halves, then divide each half into three equal pieces; each of these pieces will yield one dozen cookies.
How many cookies does this recipe make in total?
Following the division instructions, the recipe yields approximately 72 cookies (6 dozen).
Can I freeze these cookies before baking?
Yes, you can roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a wax paper-lined sheet until solid, then store them in an airtight container.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How do I handle frozen dough balls before baking?
Roll the frozen balls gently between your palms to warm them slightly before coating them in sugar.
What are the cookies coated in before they go into the oven?
The dough balls should be rolled generously in sifted powdered sugar until well coated.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
How far apart should the cookies be placed?
The sugar-coated balls should be spaced about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
Bake for about 10 minutes, but start checking them at the 8-minute mark.
How do I tell if the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies should still be soft in the center when removed from the oven; they will set as they cool.
What is the cooling process?
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, these are excellent make-ahead cookies as the dough can be refrigerated overnight or frozen for later use.
Are these cookies suitable for Christmas?
Absolutely, they are specifically described as holiday treats perfect for Christmas magic and festive dessert tables.
What kind of vanilla extract is recommended?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
How much baking powder is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
What is the purpose of the salt in this recipe?
The 1/2 teaspoon of salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Is this recipe considered easy to share?
Yes, the high yield and bite-sized nature make them perfect for sharing at holiday parties.
What is the best way to enjoy these cookies?
They are best enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa while cozying up by a fireplace.