These Gingerbread Snowball Cookies are tiny treats bursting with warm spice. They are soft, crumbly, and rolled in powdered sugar. Perfect for cozy days!
They’re like little snowballs of happiness! I love baking these during the holidays—they fill the house with the best scent and are just too good to resist! 🎄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and helps with the texture. You could use coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative if you’re looking for non-dairy options.
Powdered Sugar: This sugar is essential for the dusting and sweetening. If you need a substitute, you can blend granulated sugar until it’s fine or use a sugar alternative like erythritol for a lower-calorie option.
Brown Sugar: It brings moisture and a hint of caramel flavor. If you’re out, you can mix granulated sugar with a bit of molasses to make your own brown sugar, or use coconut sugar for a healthier take.
Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves): These spices give the cookies their signature gingerbread flavor. Feel free to adjust the amounts to match your taste or use pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice if available.
How Do I Make Sure My Cookies Are Soft and Tender?
The key to soft, tender cookies lies in how you mix and bake them. Start by creaming the butter and sugars until light and fluffy; this traps air and helps with leavening. After mixing in the dry ingredients, avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Use room temperature butter for best results.
- Check your cookies in the oven as they approach the 12-minute mark. They should be set around the edges but still look a bit soft in the center.
- Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet first—this helps them firm up without drying out.
How to Make Gingerbread Snowball Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes approximately 20 minutes to prepare, plus an additional 12-15 minutes for baking. Don’t forget to let your cookies cool for a few minutes before dusting them with powdered sugar. Overall, you’ll be enjoying delicious cookies in about 35-40 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This will help the cookies not stick and make clean-up a breeze.
2. Cream the Butters and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer or a spatula to cream the mixture together until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Don’t forget to add the vanilla extract and give it another mix!
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the spices and leavening agent are evenly distributed throughout your cookies.
4. Combine the Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Don’t overdo it—the final dough should be soft but easy to handle.
5. Shape the Cookies:
With clean hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart since they will spread slightly as they bake.
6. Bake the Cookies:
Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them! The edges should be set and slightly browned, while the centers will remain soft.
7. Cool and Dust with Sugar:
After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. While they are still warm, roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar. This gives them a delightful sweet coating!
8. Final Cooling:
Transfer the rolled cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra snowy effect, feel free to roll them in powdered sugar again when they’re cool!
9. Storage:
Store your delicious gingerbread snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They make a lovely treat for sharing or enjoying with a warm drink! Enjoy these fragrant, tender cookies that truly melt in your mouth with each bite!
Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?
Yes, you can use margarine as a substitute for unsalted butter. Just make sure it’s softened for easier mixing. However, the flavor might be slightly different, so keep that in mind!
How Can I Make These Cookies Gluten-Free?
To make gluten-free Gingerbread Snowball Cookies, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well!
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Absolutely! If you want to add a little crunch or sweetness, you can fold in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or chocolate chips into the dough before rolling them into balls.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying!
