Description
Cherry Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery shortbread-style cookies with a surprise maraschino cherry center. Rolled in powdered sugar while warm and again after cooling, they look like snowy treats and taste like holiday magic. Perfect for gift boxes, dessert trays, or just cozy nights in.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
0.5 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2.25 cups all-purpose flour
0.5 teaspoon salt
24 maraschino cherries, well-drained and patted dry
1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
0.25 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
1. Drain the maraschino cherries and pat them dry thoroughly. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and 0.5 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using).
4. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten slightly, and place a cherry in the center.
6. Wrap the dough around the cherry and roll into a smooth ball. Repeat for all cherries.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the tray and bake for 13–15 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and roll the cookies in powdered sugar while warm.
10. Let cookies cool on a wire rack, then roll them in powdered sugar again before serving.
Notes
Always pat the cherries dry to avoid soggy or cracked cookies.
Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar gives them that perfect snowy finish.
Store in layers with parchment paper to preserve the coating and shape.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cherry cookies, snowball cookies, Christmas cookies