Description
Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies are a delightful twist on the traditional snowball cookie, featuring a rich cocoa flavor combined with buttery dough and a powdered sugar coating. These bite-sized treats offer a tender crumb with optional crunchy nuts and melty chocolate chips, perfect for holiday gatherings or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and do not stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt to ensure an even distribution of dry components before incorporating them into the wet ingredients.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the optional finely chopped pecans or walnuts and mini chocolate chips to add texture and bursts of chocolate.
- Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, shape the dough into balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets to allow for expansion during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft, ensuring a tender bite.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Let the cookies cool slightly so they are easier to handle, then roll them generously in powdered sugar to create the classic snowball exterior.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts.
- Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the best dough texture.
- Cookies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Rolling cookies in powdered sugar while still warm helps the sugar adhere better.
