How To Make Snowball Cookies With Walnuts

You can make snowball cookies with walnuts by mixing finely chopped walnuts into a buttery dough, rolling the dough into small balls, baking them until firm, and coating each cookie in powdered sugar once they cool.
 
These little treats are also called Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, and they’re one of the easiest holiday cookies you can bake at home.
 
If you’ve never made snowball cookies with walnuts before, don’t worry, because the process is forgiving and beginner-friendly.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make snowball cookies with walnuts step by step, including the ingredients you need, the best way to shape them, and a few tips so they turn out perfectly every time.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why Snowball Cookies With Walnuts Work So Well

Snowball cookies with walnuts work so well because walnuts add a tender crunch that balances the soft, buttery texture of the cookie itself.
 
Here’s why this combination is such a classic:
 

1. Walnuts Bring a Rich, Earthy Flavor

Walnuts have a slightly bitter, earthy taste that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of powdered sugar.
 
When you make snowball cookies with walnuts, the nuts toast gently in the oven, which deepens their flavor and makes every bite more interesting.
 
Unlike sweeter nuts like pecans, walnuts keep the cookie from tasting too sugary.
 

2. The Dough Is Simple and Forgiving

The dough for snowball cookies with walnuts uses just a handful of basic ingredients.
 
You’ll need butter, powdered sugar, flour, vanilla, and of course, walnuts.
 
There are no eggs and no leavening agents, which means there’s very little that can go wrong.
 
This simplicity is exactly why so many people love making snowball cookies with walnuts during the holidays.
 

3. They’re Naturally Make-Ahead Friendly

Snowball cookies with walnuts actually taste better after they’ve had time to rest.
 
You can bake them a day or two ahead, and the flavors will meld together nicely.
 
They also freeze beautifully, so you can make a big batch of snowball cookies with walnuts and enjoy them for weeks.
 

Ingredients for Snowball Cookies With Walnuts

Before you start, gather everything so the process of making snowball cookies with walnuts goes smoothly.
 
Here’s what you’ll need:
 

1. The Base Ingredients

One cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature.
 
Half a cup of powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling.
 
Two and a quarter cups of all-purpose flour.
 
One teaspoon of vanilla extract.
 
A quarter teaspoon of salt.
 

2. The Walnuts

One cup of walnuts, finely chopped.
 
You want the pieces small so they distribute evenly through the dough.
 
If you chop them too coarsely, the snowball cookies with walnuts may crumble when you shape them.
 

3. Optional Add-Ins

Some bakers add a pinch of cinnamon or a teaspoon of espresso powder.
 
Both work well, but they can overshadow the walnuts, so keep it subtle.
 

How to Make Snowball Cookies With Walnuts Step by Step

Now let’s get into the actual process of making snowball cookies with walnuts.
 

1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
 
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
 
This prevents the bottoms of your snowball cookies with walnuts from over-browning.
 

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
 
This usually takes about two minutes with a hand mixer.
 
Add the vanilla and mix again.
 

3. Add the Dry Ingredients and Walnuts

Slowly mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
 
Then fold in the chopped walnuts until they’re evenly distributed.
 
The dough for snowball cookies with walnuts should be slightly crumbly but hold together when you squeeze it.
 

4. Shape the Cookies

Scoop about one tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball.
 
Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
 
You should end up with roughly 36 snowball cookies with walnuts.
 

5. Bake and Cool

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden.
 
Let them cool on the sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
 
Once they’re completely cool, roll each snowball cookie with walnuts in powdered sugar.
 
For a thicker coating, roll them a second time.
 

Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies With Walnuts

A few small tweaks can make a big difference when you make snowball cookies with walnuts.
 

1. Toast the Walnuts First

Toasting the walnuts for five minutes before chopping them intensifies their flavor.
 
This step is optional but it elevates your snowball cookies with walnuts to another level.
 

2. Don’t Overbake

These cookies should be pale, not golden brown.
 
If you bake snowball cookies with walnuts too long, they dry out and lose that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
 

3. Roll While Slightly Warm

Rolling the cookies in sugar while they’re still a touch warm helps the coating stick.
 
Just don’t roll them hot, or the sugar will melt into a sticky mess.
 

So, How Do You Make Snowball Cookies With Walnuts?

You make snowball cookies with walnuts by combining butter, powdered sugar, flour, vanilla, and finely chopped walnuts into a simple dough, shaping it into balls, baking until set, and rolling each cookie in powdered sugar.
 
The result is a tender, nutty cookie that looks like a little snowball and tastes like a holiday classic.
 
Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, a family gathering, or just because, snowball cookies with walnuts are always a welcome treat.
 
So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and enjoy a batch of homemade snowball cookies with walnuts today.