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Snow Kiss Cookies are buttery cookies with walnuts that just melt in your mouth. They get dusted in powdered sugar and are such an amazing classic cookie!
This is one of my favorite cookies to put on the Christmas Goodie Plate! You should also try these Turtle Cookies, Grinch Cookies, or these Twix Thumbprint Cookies!
Snow kiss cookies on a black plate.

Snow Kiss Cookies

When I was growing up,  I remember we had a neighbor that would bring us these cookies every single year. They were always my favorite cookies on the cookie plate. They just remind me of Christmas and snow and this nutty melt in your mouth cookie is irresistible! This is one classic cookie that remind me of my childhood that I love to make every single year!

How do you make snowball cookies?

  • Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a bowl. Toast the walnuts until they are golden brown and allow them to cool. (optional)
  • Place the walnuts in a food processor or blender and crush until fine. Add this mixture to the butter, sugar, and salt. Add the flour slowly until combined.
  • Wrap the dough in sera wrap and put it in the fridge for 1-2 hours to chill.
  • After they are chilled preheat the oven to 325. Roll the dough into one inch balls and place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and let them cool on a rack. Once they have cooled, toll them in powdered sugar.

Do you have to toast the walnuts?

No. But toasting the walnuts will bring our more flavor.

Walnut halves spread out on the table. There are some in a bowl as well.

How do you toast walnuts?

  • Place the walnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast the walnuts for about 7-10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven until they get about one shade darker.

Can you freeze snowball cookies?

Yes you can. Once you take them out of the freezer and let them thaw, roll them in powdered sugar again to restore their appearance.

Snow kiss cookies on a black cutting board.

Looking for even more classic cookie recipes? Here ya go!

`Snow kiss cookies stacked on top of one another on a black cutting board.
Recipe update 12/10/18

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Snow Kiss Cookies (Snowball Cookies)

5 from 4 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Snow Kiss Cookies are buttery cookies with walnuts that just melt in your mouth.  They get dusted in powdered sugar and are are such an amazing classic cookie! 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies

Ingredients 

  • 1/4 cup Walnuts
  • 2 Sticks Unsalted Butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 3/4 cup Flour
  • Powdered Sugar for coating your cookies

Instructions 

  • Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and salt together in bowl. You have the option of toasting your walnuts until golden brown, but let them cool.
  • Place the walnuts in a food processor or blender and crush until fine. Add this mixture to the butter, sugar, and salt.
  • Add the flour slowly to the mixture and mix until combined.
  • Wrap the dough in seran wrap and put it in the fridge for 1-2 hours to chill.
  • After chilled, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Drop the dough by small scoops onto parchment lined cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Take them out and let them cool on a cooling rack. Once cooled, roll them in the powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 49mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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53 Comments

    1. Yes, of course! It will have a different texture and taste. It may not be as thick either but it can be done:)! XOXO

  1. Hi. Yes. These are called BUTTERBALLS, also known as RUSSIAN TEA CAKES. The recipe has been around for Decades- ask anyone over 50.

  2. I’e made these many years ago…. but we called them Russian Tea Cakes. Having my group here for NYD might make them on Wednesday…. yum yum!

  3. my grandmother made these and called them Butterballs. After rolling them in the powder sugar, they were like a creamer layer. now I don’t remember if she let them cool completely or did them while warm so the sugar would melt a little and stick more.

  4. Make the cookie dough and wrap around chocolate kiss candy before baking, bake and roll in powdered sugar. A hit at my house!

  5. Yum! Our family loves these too. Made with pecans…our family recipe and the cookbooks call them Italian Wedding Cookies.

  6. Mom made these every year for Christmas. They were one of my Dad’s favorite cookies. They called them Russian nut balls. I am going to make these today for the first time in many years. Happy memories!

  7. I have made these every Christmas for 30+ years! But in our house they are called German Butter Balls and my recipe makes 200 one inch balls!