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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - ½ cup powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 2 cups all-purpose flour - ½ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped - Additional powdered sugar for dusting To make Cherry Snowball Cookies, gather all these ingredients. Start with the butter. Make sure it is soft to mix easily. The powdered sugar adds sweetness and a light texture. Vanilla extract gives a nice flavor. The all-purpose flour helps form the cookie base. Nuts add crunch and flavor. You can use walnuts or pecans based on your taste. The salt balances the sweetness. Maraschino cherries bring a bright, fruity taste. Don't forget extra powdered sugar for rolling the cookies. Each ingredient plays a key role in making these cookies tasty and fun. When you have everything ready, you can start baking. Enjoy the process and the delicious smell in your kitchen! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step warms the oven for even baking. Next, prepare your baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper. This prevents cookies from sticking. In a large bowl, add 1 cup of softened butter and ½ cup of powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed. Mix until light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes. This step adds air to the mixture and helps the cookies rise. Then, add in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Mix until fully blended. Now, it's time to add the dry ingredients. Gradually sift in 2 cups of all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon of salt. Also, add ½ cup of finely chopped walnuts or pecans. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix gently. Stir until the dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps cookies tender. Next, fold in 1 cup of drained and coarsely chopped maraschino cherries. Make sure they are evenly mixed in. This adds a burst of sweet and tart flavor to each bite. Now you are ready to portion the dough. Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch wide. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space between each ball. This allows room for spreading while baking. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes. Keep a close watch for a light golden bottom while the tops stay pale. After baking, let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. While warm, roll them in extra powdered sugar for that snowy look. Finally, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra touch, roll them in powdered sugar one last time before serving. Enjoy the sweet and festive flavors of these Cherry Snowball Cookies! Bake your Cherry Snowball Cookies at 350°F (175°C). This temperature gives a nice golden bottom. Keep an eye on your cookies. They need 12 to 15 minutes. The bottoms should be light golden while the tops stay pale. If you leave them too long, they can burn. To get the right dough, mix gently. Overmixing can make the cookies tough. After you add flour, salt, and nuts, use a spatula to stir. Fold in the cherries carefully. This keeps them whole and tasty. The dough should feel soft and not stick to your hands. Want to spice things up? Try adding orange zest for a citrus kick. You can also swap in different nuts like almonds or hazelnuts. If you love chocolate, add mini chocolate chips. Each change makes the cookies unique and fun! Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For a firmer dough that’s easier to roll, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before shaping the cookies. Use Fresh Cherries: For a more vibrant flavor, consider using fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries, though you may need to adjust the sweetness. Nut Alternatives: If you have nut allergies or preferences, you can substitute the walnuts or pecans with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely. Perfect Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking; they should be set but not browned on top for the best texture. {{image_4}} You can change the flavor of Cherry Snowball Cookies easily. Try using different nuts. Pecans or almonds work great. You can also swap maraschino cherries for fresh ones. Just chop them finely. This gives you a fresh taste. You could even add dark chocolate chips for a rich twist. The options are endless. Experiment with what you like best! If you want to make these cookies gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. This works well without changing the taste much. For a vegan version, replace butter with coconut oil. Use a plant-based powdered sugar for rolling. You can also try a flax egg instead of regular eggs if your recipe calls for them. These changes keep the cookies tasty and enjoyable for everyone. Make Cherry Snowball Cookies special for each season. In winter, add a hint of peppermint extract for a festive touch. In spring, try adding lemon zest for a fresh flavor. In summer, you can add berries like blueberries or strawberries for a colorful twist. Autumn calls for spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to warm up the flavors. Adjust your ingredients to match the seasons and your cookies will always feel new and exciting! To keep your Cherry Snowball Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent sticking. This helps maintain their shape and texture. Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Avoid storing them in the fridge, as that can make them dry. If you want to save some cookies for later, freezing is easy! 1. Allow the cookies to cool completely after baking. 2. Roll the cooled cookies in powdered sugar. 3. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. 4. Freeze for about 1-2 hours until firm. 5. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. 6. Label the bag with the date and type of cookie. When you're ready to enjoy them, pull them out and let them thaw at room temperature. Cherry Snowball Cookies last about one week at room temperature when stored properly. If you freeze them, they stay fresh for up to three months. Just remember, the longer they sit, the more they may lose their soft texture. Enjoy these sweet treats while they are at their best! Yes, you can use fresh cherries. Fresh cherries add a tart flavor. However, they have more moisture. You need to drain and chop them well. Reduce the other liquids in the recipe to balance the dough. Also, you might want to use a bit more sugar for sweetness. Fresh cherries can change the texture, making cookies softer. To make the cookies festive, add sprinkles on top before baking. You can use red and green sprinkles for a holiday vibe. After baking, drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies for a rich touch. You can also serve them on a colorful platter with some whole cherries. Dust the cookies with extra powdered sugar for a snowy look. If your dough is too sticky, chill it in the fridge. This helps firm it up. You can also add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time. Be careful not to add too much, or the cookies may not taste right. Another tip is to lightly coat your hands with flour when rolling the dough into balls. This keeps it from sticking. This post detailed how to make delicious cookies with butter, sugar, and cherries. You learned to mix the right ingredients and bake them to perfection. Remember the tips for storage and how to freeze your cookies. You can even change the recipe to fit your taste. Try new nuts or make it gluten-free. Baking can be fun and easy. With these steps, you can enjoy fresh cookies anytime! Get creative and make this recipe your own. Enjoy baking!

Cherry Snowball Cookies

Delightful cookies with a snowy appearance, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and coarsely chopped
  • additional powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and ½ cup of powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to cream them together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix until thoroughly combined, ensuring the flavor is evenly distributed.
  • Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour, salt, and finely chopped nuts to the butter mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently stir until a cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
  • Carefully fold in the chopped maraschino cherries, ensuring that they are evenly incorporated into the dough without breaking them too much.
  • Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each portion into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter). Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale. Keep a close watch to avoid over-baking.
  • Once removed from the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While they are still warm, roll them in additional powdered sugar until they are well coated.
  • After rolling, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra snowy finish, roll the cookies in powdered sugar one last time before serving.

Notes

For a delightful holiday display, arrange the cookies on a festive platter and dust them lightly with powdered sugar.
Keyword cherry, cookies, holiday