These Gingerbread Snowball Cookies are cute little treats that taste like the holidays! They are soft, sweet, and coated in powdered sugar—perfect for sharing!
Whenever I make these, my kitchen fills with a warm, spicy smell that makes everyone feel cozy. They just disappear so fast; it’s like they have magic powers! 🎄✨
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This helps control the saltiness in cookies. If you’re out of butter, you can use coconut oil or margarine. Just make sure they are softened for easy creaming!
Granulated Sugar: This sweetener gives the cookies structure and crunch. You can swap it for brown sugar for a more molasses-like flavor, but the texture might be slightly different.
Molasses: A key ingredient for that distinct gingerbread flavor! If you don’t have molasses, try dark corn syrup or honey, but it will alter the taste a bit.
Spices: Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg create that lovely holiday aroma. Feel free to adjust the amounts according to your taste or even mix in some allspice for a twist!
How Do I Make Sure My Cookies Are Soft and Chewy?
The trick to soft and chewy Gingerbread Snowball Cookies is in the baking time. Here’s how to do it right:
- Always roll the dough into balls that are uniform in size so they bake evenly.
- Watch your baking time closely. Remove them when the edges are set but the centers are still soft—they will firm up as they cool.
- Don’t skip the rolling in powdered sugar while they’re warm! This helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Give these tips a try, and you’ll have perfect cookies every time!
How to Make Gingerbread Snowball Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 10-12 minutes of baking time. After that, you’ll want to let the cookies cool for a bit, so set aside about 30 minutes to an hour in total. Perfect for a busy holiday baking session!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze!
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Then, beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is nice and combined.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until they are well mixed. This blend of spices is what gives the cookies that amazing gingerbread flavor!
4. Bring It All Together:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want our cookies soft and yummy!
5. Shape the Cookies:
Now, roll the dough into 1-inch balls with your hands, and place them on the lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread.
6. Bake the Cookies:
Put the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them! The edges should be set but the center should still feel soft when you take them out.
7. Coat with Powdered Sugar:
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While they’re still warm, roll them in powdered sugar until they are nicely coated—this is what makes them look like little snowballs!
8. Cool Completely:
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. If you want them to look extra festive, roll them in more powdered sugar once they are fully cool!
9. Store and Enjoy:
Finally, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy your Gingerbread Snowball Cookies with a cup of hot chocolate or share them with friends and family. Happy baking!
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar?
Absolutely! You can substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar for a deeper, richer flavor. Just note that this might make the cookies slightly chewier, which is still delicious!
How Do I Make These Cookies Gluten-Free?
You can easily make these cookies gluten-free by replacing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture!
Can I Freeze Unbaked Dough?
Yes, you can! Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven—no need to thaw, but you may need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Cookies?
Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness. They should stay fresh for about a week, but good luck! They’re usually gone much sooner!
