Decadent Holiday Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Indulge in the ultimate holiday treat with these Decadent Chocolate Snowball Cookies. Rich, velvety chocolate blended with buttery goodness creates a delightful cookie that truly melts in your mouth. Each bite offers a perfect balance of chewy and fudgy textures, making these cookies a festive favorite for gatherings and celebrations. With a light dusting of icing sugar, they evoke the magic of a winter wonderland. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply as a sweet treat to share with family and friends—these cookies are sure to be a hit! Remember to allow time for chilling the dough, as it enhances the flavor and texture, making your cookies even more luxurious.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
3/4 cup (softened)
Brown sugar
3/4 cup (firmly-packed)
Unsweetened chocolate
3 ounces (melted and slightly cooled)
Egg
1
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
Milk or Half-and-half cream
1/4 cup
Flour
2 cups
Baking powder
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon
Finely chopped nuts
1 cup (optional)
Icing sugar
as needed (for coating)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an ungreased cookie sheet by setting it aside.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and firmly-packed brown sugar. Beat together at medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3
Slowly add the melted and slightly cooled unsweetened chocolate, egg, vanilla extract, and either milk or half-and-half cream to the creamed mixture. Mix well until fully incorporated.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
5
If using, gently fold in the finely chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to shape into 1-inch balls.
7
After chilling, use a cookie scoop or your hands to form the dough into balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. If you prefer a softer and fudgier cookie, aim for about 8 minutes; the tops should appear soft and set.
9
Once baked, remove the cookies carefully from the baking sheet and roll them immediately in icing sugar to coat thoroughly. Allow them to cool on wire racks.
10
For an extra touch of sweetness and presentation, roll the cooled cookies in icing sugar again before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Holiday Chocolate Snowball Cookies?
These are rich, velvety chocolate cookies blended with buttery goodness, featuring a fudgy texture and a light dusting of icing sugar to resemble snowballs.
What is the main flavor profile of these cookies?
The cookies offer a deep unsweetened chocolate flavor balanced by brown sugar and a buttery base, often enhanced by optional finely chopped nuts.
How long should I chill the cookie dough?
The dough should be chilled in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to shape into balls.
Why is chilling the dough necessary for this recipe?
Chilling enhances the flavor and texture, making the cookies more luxurious and easier to handle when shaping.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Should I grease the cookie sheet before baking?
No, the recipe specifies using an ungreased cookie sheet.
What type of chocolate is used in these snowball cookies?
The recipe calls for 3 ounces of unsweetened chocolate that has been melted and slightly cooled.
Can I use half-and-half instead of milk?
Yes, you can use either 1/4 cup of milk or 1/4 cup of half-and-half cream.
How long should I cream the butter and sugar?
You should beat the softened butter and brown sugar at medium speed for approximately 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Are nuts a required ingredient?
No, the 1 cup of finely chopped nuts is optional and can be folded in at the end of the mixing process.
What size should I make the dough balls?
The dough should be shaped into 1-inch balls using a cookie scoop or your hands.
How far apart should I place the cookies on the baking sheet?
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart to allow room for slight spreading.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
The cookies typically bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
How can I achieve a softer and fudgier cookie texture?
Aim for a shorter baking time of about 8 minutes; the tops should appear soft and set when you remove them.
When should I apply the icing sugar coating?
Roll the cookies in icing sugar immediately after removing them from the oven, while they are still warm.
Do I need to coat the cookies in sugar more than once?
Yes, for the best presentation and sweetness, roll the cookies in icing sugar again after they have completely cooled.
What ingredients are sifted together for the dry mixture?
You should sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including optional nuts and icing sugar for coating.
Can I use granulated white sugar instead of brown sugar?
The recipe specifically calls for firmly-packed brown sugar, which contributes to the chewy texture and moisture of the cookie.
What is the best way to cool these cookies?
After the initial coating of icing sugar, allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
Are these cookies suitable for holiday cookie exchanges?
Yes, they are a festive favorite specifically recommended for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and gift giving.
Is vanilla extract used in this recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to the wet ingredients.
What is the recommended preparation for the butter?
The butter should be softened to room temperature before creaming it with the sugar.
Does this recipe include baking soda or baking powder?
It uses both: 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
What is the texture of the finished cookie?
The cookies feature a perfect balance of chewy and fudgy textures that melt in your mouth.
How much flour is needed for the dough?
The recipe requires 2 cups of flour.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, because the dough requires 1-2 hours of chilling, it is easy to prepare the dough in advance.
What does the icing sugar represent on the cookies?
The white sugar coating is intended to evoke the magic of a winter wonderland, giving them their 'snowball' appearance.
Is an egg required for this recipe?
Yes, 1 egg is used to bind the ingredients and provide structure.
How should I add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients?
Gradually add the sifted dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until they are just combined to avoid overworking the dough.