Cherry snowball cookies are the kind of treat that instantly brings a sense of warmth to winter days. Covered in a blanket of powdered sugar and packed with tiny bites of dried cherries, they’re soft, buttery, and just tart enough to keep you coming back for more. These cookies aren’t just pretty on a holiday tray they’re rooted in tradition, yet feel like something new.
Whether you’re baking for friends, tucking a few into a gift box, or simply savoring one with your afternoon tea, cherry snowball cookies offer comfort in every bite. Their delicate texture, simple ingredients, and festive charm make them a favorite year after year.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make them from scratch, what makes them different from the classic version, and how to keep Cherry snowball cookies soft and snowy for days. Let’s step into the season with a recipe worth repeating.
- A Cozy Tradition with a Cherry Twist
- How to Make Soft, Snowy Cherry Snowball Cookies
- Softness, Structure, and the Ingredients That Shape Cherry Snowball Cookies
- Timeless Appeal and Helpful Notes from the Kitchen
- Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Snowball Cookie
- Conclusion: A New Favorite for Quiet Winter Days
A Cozy Tradition with a Cherry Twist
Baking memories that linger
In our family, December always smelled like vanilla, butter, and powdered sugar. My grandmother made batch after batch of snowball cookies—round, soft, and wrapped in sweetness. We’d roll them together, her hands steady, mine covered in flour. One year, missing the usual walnuts, she reached for dried cherries instead. The first bite was a surprise: tart, bright, and deeply comforting. And just like that, cherry snowball cookies became our new tradition.
There’s something special about the way these Cherry Snowball Cookies look and feel. The cherries bring color and a bit of depth—just enough to make you pause and savor. They’re festive without being fussy. When arranged on a plate or tucked into a simple box, they speak for themselves: handmade, heartfelt, and quietly beautiful.
One year, missing the usual walnuts, she reached for dried cherries instead. The first bite was a surprise: tart, bright, and deeply comforting. And just like that, cherry snowball cookies became our new tradition. It’s the kind of small twist that reminds me of how Ina Garten approaches baking—rooted in comfort, always with a thoughtful touch.
Why cherries make all the difference
Dried cherries offer a tender bite and a subtle tang that balances the buttery dough. They’re perfect for those who skip nuts, but they also pair beautifully with chopped pecans or almonds if you’re craving more texture.
What makes this recipe so loved—beyond the flavor is its simplicity. Just a handful of pantry ingredients, a bit of shaping, and a slow roll through powdered sugar. The cookies keep well for days, making them ideal for gifting or setting out for guests.
How to Make Soft, Snowy Cherry Snowball Cookies
The secret to that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture
The magic of soft, delicate cherry snowball cookies starts with temperature. Softened butter—not melted, not cold—is essential. When creamed with powdered sugar, it creates air pockets that make the dough light and soft. Unlike regular sugar, powdered sugar blends more gently and helps keep the texture tender rather than chewy or crisp.
Flour and salt are added gradually, just until the dough pulls together. Overmixing at this stage is a common mistake it can toughen the dough and cause your cookies to crumble or spread. You want the dough to feel like a soft playdough that holds its shape but doesn’t feel sticky. Folding in finely chopped dried cherries adds texture and a pop of tart flavor that balances the richness beautifully.
Using a cookie scoop or shaping with your hands into uniform 1-inch balls ensures even baking. Space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet and bake just until the bottoms turn golden. They might look pale on top don’t worry, that’s what gives them their “snowy” softness.
Rolling in sugar: when and why
The double sugar roll is what makes snowball cookies instantly recognizable. The trick is to roll them while warm, then again once fully cooled. When the cookies are still slightly warm, the sugar melts slightly, forming a thin layer that grips onto the surface. Once cool, rolling again gives them that soft, powdery snowball finish.
To make the process cleaner, use a shallow bowl for rolling and tap off any excess sugar. Store your cookies in an airtight tin lined with parchment for up to a week they even get better the next day.
Ingredients List
- 1 cup (200g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar (for dough)
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) salt
- 1 cup (150g) dried cherries, finely chopped
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (for rolling)
Softness, Structure, and the Ingredients That Shape Cherry Snowball Cookies
Fixing the crumble before it happens
Cherry snowball cookies are known for their tender texture, but they can crumble when something small goes off. The most common cause is dough that’s too dry. This often starts with how the flour is measured. Scooping directly from the bag can lead to more flour than needed—use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy. The butter also needs to be soft enough to cream properly with the sugar, creating the base that holds everything together.
If the dough feels sandy or stiff when you’re shaping the balls, a teaspoon or two of milk or extra softened butter can help. Mix gently until it softens slightly but still holds its shape. These small adjustments make a big difference when the goal is a cookie that’s tender, not fragile.
Baking time also plays a role. These Cherry Snowball Cookies aren’t meant to brown on top. Once the bottoms are lightly golden—usually around 12 to 15 minutes—they’re done. Letting them sit on the baking sheet for five minutes after baking gives them time to settle and firm up. That way, they roll easily in sugar and hold their soft, rounded form without breaking.
The final powdered sugar roll, once they’re cool, doesn’t just add that snowy finish, it helps seal in moisture and gives the cookie its signature texture from the outside in.
When cherries meet nuts, or stand alone
The dried cherries in this recipe bring both moisture and flavor. They soften the crumb, add a gentle tartness, and create beautiful little flecks throughout the cookie. That alone can be enough. But for those who enjoy contrast, a small amount of finely chopped nuts can offer a satisfying bite.
Pecans tend to be buttery and mild, which works well with the sweetness of the dough and the brightness of the cherries. Walnuts have a deeper, slightly earthy flavor that leans more rustic. Both are good options if you’re looking to add richness or tradition to the mix.
Fold in about 1/2 cup of chopped nuts with the cherries if you’re combining. Or skip them entirely—the cherry-only version holds its own with grace. Either way, you end up with something soft, snowy, and quietly perfect for slow winter afternoons.
You could even tuck a few beside sweet orange cream cheese mints in a cookie box for a bright holiday pairing, or enjoy them next to a slice of cranberry custard pie for a tart and creamy contrast.
Timeless Appeal and Helpful Notes from the Kitchen
A cookie that feels like Christmas
Among all the seasonal treats, few carry the same nostalgic glow as snowball cookies. Around the world, variations of this cookie make their way onto holiday tables under different names—Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, butterballs. The most recognized version, however, is the classic snowball. With its powdered sugar finish and soft center, it’s often one of the first cookies to disappear from the tin.
While many homes have their favorites, the cherry snowball cookie offers something quietly unique. The cherries brighten the flavor without overpowering the base, and they make these cookies feel just a little extra special—something familiar, but with a subtle twist that catches attention.
With their festive look and nostalgic charm, snowball cookies are often among the first to be made (and eaten) every December. Their popularity spans cultures and continents—places like BBC Good Food Middle East regularly share spins on these global favorites that showcase their timeless appeal in modern kitchens.
Keeping Cherry Snowball Cookies soft and satisfying
What keeps these Cherry Snowball Cookies soft isn’t a secret ingredient—it’s the balance of fat, flour, and care. Butter is the star here. It brings moisture, richness, and structure, as long as it’s used at the right temperature. Powdered sugar, rather than granulated, also plays a key role by helping the dough stay tender and light.
Overmixing or overbaking are the quiet culprits behind cookies that dry out. Gentle hands and a careful eye at the oven are all it takes to maintain that soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel. And of course, the double sugar roll—while decorative—helps keep the exterior soft rather than crisp.
When choosing between pecans and walnuts
If you’re including nuts in your dough, either pecans or walnuts can work beautifully. Pecans add a light, buttery crunch, while walnuts lean deeper, with a slightly bitter edge. If you’re after a more neutral balance to highlight the cherries, pecans are a safe and elegant choice. For something earthier and more old-fashioned, walnuts will give your cookies a bolder profile.
But truly, the dried cherries can stand alone. Their chewy texture and subtle tartness bring enough interest without needing anything else.
A soft cookie, not a fragile one
If your snowball cookies are falling apart, it’s usually a sign the dough needs moisture or the bake time went too far. Aim for dough that holds shape when pressed, not dry or stiff. Let the cookies rest after baking before rolling, and give them time to cool completely before their second coat of sugar. The result? Cookies that are soft, snowy, and perfectly held together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Snowball Cookie
What is the most popular Christmas cookie in the world?
One of the most beloved holiday cookies worldwide is the classic snowball cookie—also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies. Their powdered sugar finish and tender bite make them a seasonal staple in many cultures. With their festive look and nostalgic charm, snowball cookies are often among the first to be made (and eaten) every December.
What’s the secret to keeping Cherry Snowball Cookies soft?
The key to soft snowball cookies is balance. Softened butter, not melted, provides structure while keeping the texture tender. Powdered sugar helps create a smooth dough, and gentle mixing prevents toughness. Letting the cookies rest after baking and rolling them in sugar while warm also helps lock in moisture.
Are walnuts or pecans better in snowball cookies?
Both work well—it depends on the flavor you’re after. Pecans are milder and buttery, while walnuts bring a deeper, slightly bitter richness. If pairing with cherries, pecans tend to highlight the fruit’s brightness, while walnuts give a more rustic, earthy feel. For a nut-free option, cherries alone are delicious and beautifully balanced.
Why do snowball cookies sometimes crumble?
Crumbly snowball cookies often mean the dough was too dry or overmixed. Measuring flour accurately and using butter at the right temperature can help. The cookies should be just golden on the bottom not overbaked. Letting them cool slightly before rolling also gives them time to set without breaking.
Cherry Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in the finely chopped dried cherries.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar.
- Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then roll again in powdered sugar.
Nutrition
Notes
From your stove to our hearts
share your delicious take!Conclusion: A New Favorite for Quiet Winter Days
Cherry snowball cookies bring together everything we love about holiday baking—soft textures, simple ingredients, and just enough sweetness to feel special. They look lovely on a tray, but they’re just as comforting eaten in quiet moments with a warm drink. Whether you stay classic or add a handful of chopped nuts, these cookies offer warmth in every bite.
They’re the kind of recipe that lives on after the holidays too. Easy to make, easy to share, and always well received. Tuck Cherry Snowball Cookies into a gift box, stack them beside your favorite tea, or keep a few on the counter for slow afternoons. These are the cookies that quietly say, “home.” And for more cozy ideas, try this nostalgic snowball cake with raspberry—perfect for sharing when friends drop by.
