Description
Lemon snowball cookies are light, buttery confections with a refreshing citrus zing and a dusting of snowy powdered sugar. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant lemon flavor make them an ideal choice for holiday baking, thoughtful gifting, or as a delightful everyday treat
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for dough)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, or pecans)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Stir in lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract for a burst of citrus flavor.
4. Gradually incorporate the flour, cornstarch, and salt, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.
5. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned.
7. Allow the cookies to cool slightly, then gently roll them in powdered sugar while still warm for an initial coating.
8. Once completely cooled, roll the cookies again in powdered sugar to achieve a thick, snowy finish.
Notes
– Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading during baking.
– For the best results, roll the cookies twice in powdered sugar—once when warm and again after cooling.
– Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
– Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen when ready.
– Experiment with variations by substituting lemon with lime or orange, adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or incorporating chopped nuts for added texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg