If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that perfectly balances festive charm with melt-in-your-mouth delight, let me introduce you to the Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies – Easy, Festive Holiday Treat Recipe. These charming little bites bring together buttery softness, the sweet tartness of maraschino cherries, and the rich crunch of almonds, all wrapped in a delicate blanket of powdered sugar. They not only taste incredible but look like a snow-kissed holiday dream, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or cozying up with a cup of tea by the fire. This recipe is straightforward, and the result is a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for your secret!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple with a handful of essential ingredients that each bring something special to the cookie’s texture and flavor. From creamy butter to fragrant almond extract, every component is crucial in crafting a cookie that is both tender and full of festive cheer.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup/227g): Softened butter provides the rich and tender base that keeps these cookies crumbly yet moist.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup/60g, plus extra for rolling): Gives a smooth sweetness and the signature snowy coating that defines these cookies.
- Almond extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a fragrant, nutty aroma that brightens up the entire cookie.
- All-purpose flour (2¼ cups/270g): Forms the sturdy structure of the dough, ensuring a perfect crumb.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Maraschino cherries (¾ cup/90g, finely chopped): Brings bursts of juicy, sweet-tart flavor and cheerful color to each bite.
- Almonds (½ cup/60g, finely chopped or almond flour): Offers a lovely crunch and deep nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the cherries.
How to Make Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies – Easy, Festive Holiday Treat Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cherries
Start by finely chopping your maraschino cherries and then pat them dry with a paper towel. Removing excess moisture is key here, so your dough stays firm and your cookies hold their shape instead of spreading too much during baking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step introduces air into the dough, which helps the cookies have that tender, delicate texture. Stir in the almond extract next to infuse your dough with that lovely, festive aroma.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix
Gradually mix in your flour and salt until the dough comes together. Then fold in the chopped cherries and almonds gently but thoroughly to make sure every bite is packed with flavor and texture.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover your dough and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Chilling is essential because it firms up the dough, making it easier to shape and ensuring that your cookies bake up tender and hold their beautiful snowball shape.
Step 5: Preheat Oven and Shape Cookies
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup. Then, roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls – the uniform size helps your cookies bake evenly.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, keeping an eye on the bottoms to catch the moment they turn lightly golden. The tops should remain pale, which keeps that delicate, melt-away texture that feels so special with each bite.
Step 7: Powdered Sugar Finish
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool for about five minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar for a beautiful, snowy finish. For the best presentation and flavor, allow the cookies to cool completely, then roll them in powdered sugar again just before serving.
How to Serve Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies – Easy, Festive Holiday Treat Recipe
Garnishes
While these snowball cookies are lovely on their own, you can add extra holiday sparkle by garnishing them with a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds or a light dusting of edible glitter for that magical snowy effect. A tiny dollop of cherry jam on the side for dipping can also delight guests who love a little extra fruitiness.
Side Dishes
These Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of mulled cider, hot chocolate, or a cozy chai latte. Their delicate sweetness and soft texture make them a perfect companion for your favorite warm beverages during chilly holiday gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
Package these cookies in clear treat bags tied with festive ribbon for adorable gifts, or arrange them on a holiday platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine needles as natural, aromatic accents. Layering the cookies with red and white tissue paper in decorative tins also makes for a stunning presentation that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tender for up to a week, making them perfect if you want to bake ahead for holiday events.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, you can freeze the dough after shaping the balls by placing them on a baking sheet and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. This way, you can bake fresh cookies straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to three months.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked freshness, allow frozen cookies to thaw fully, then warm them gently in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This will refresh their tender texture and help the powdered sugar coating look freshly dusted.
FAQs
Can I substitute the maraschino cherries with dried cherries?
Absolutely! Dried cherries are a great alternative and will offer a chewier texture and more concentrated fruity flavor. Just be sure to chop them finely and consider soaking them briefly in warm water to soften before adding to the dough.
What if I don’t have almond extract? Can I use vanilla extract instead?
You can use vanilla extract as a substitute, which will give a more traditional cookie flavor. However, the almond extract adds that special nutty note that ties the cherry and almond together perfectly, so it’s worth sourcing if you can for the authentic taste.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?
The key is chilling the dough well before baking and shaping uniform balls. Also, avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar. Keeping your oven temperature accurate ensures the cookies bake quickly before spreading too thin.
Can I use almond flour instead of chopped almonds?
Yes! Almond flour can make the cookies even more tender but will reduce the crunchiness that chopped almonds add. Using a mix of both can balance texture nicely if you prefer some crunch.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten-free because it uses all-purpose flour. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking. Just keep in mind the texture might vary slightly depending on the blend.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about baking a batch of Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies – Easy, Festive Holiday Treat Recipe during the holidays. They deliver a wonderful mix of flavors and textures that feel both nostalgic and fresh, making your celebrations taste as joyful as they look. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these cookies are bound to become a cherished tradition. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and watch how it spreads smiles around your holiday table!
Print
Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies – Easy, Festive Holiday Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 59 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies are a delightful and festive holiday treat featuring buttery cookies studded with finely chopped maraschino cherries and almonds. These snowball cookies are soft, crumbly, and coated with powdered sugar for a sweet finish perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter snacking.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (90g) finely chopped maraschino cherries, well-drained and patted dry
- ½ cup (60g) finely chopped almonds (or almond flour)
Instructions
- Prepare Cherries: Finely chop the maraschino cherries and pat them dry using a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, preventing soggy cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, then mix in the almond extract for flavor.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture, stirring continuously until a cohesive dough forms. Evenly fold in the chopped cherries and almonds.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm it up, which helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the bottoms develop a light golden color while the tops remain pale and soft.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Once completely cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for a snowy coating before serving.
Notes
- Ensure maraschino cherries are well-drained and patted dry to avoid adding excess moisture to the dough.
- You can substitute finely chopped almonds with almond flour, but whole chopped almonds provide more texture.
- Refrigerating the dough is essential for better shaping and prevents spreading during baking.
- Rolling cookies twice in powdered sugar creates the classic snowball cookie appearance.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
