Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies
Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies are delightful treats that bring a festive flair to any gathering. With their tender, buttery texture and the sweetness of maraschino cherries combined with the crunchiness of toasted walnuts, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Each bite is a little burst of flavor, making them perfect for holiday cookie trays or simply as a sweet snack. Plus, their snowy appearance, thanks to the generous dusting of confectioners’ sugar and shimmering red edible glitter, adds a charming touch to your dessert table. Let’s get started on making these irresistible delights!
What You’ll Need for Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies
Gather all the ingredients for these delightful cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup (60g) coarsely chopped maraschino cherries
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar, plus more for decoration
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (90g) chopped toasted walnuts
- 1 to 2 teaspoons red edible glitter (optional)
Step-by-Step Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe
Making these cookies is simple and fun! Follow these easy steps:
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C).
- Place the chopped cherries on a paper towel and pat them dry. This helps remove excess moisture and keeps your cookies from being too wet.
- In a stand mixer bowl or a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter for about one minute until creamy.
- Add 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar, followed by the almond extract and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Gradually add in the flour, toasted walnuts, and the chopped maraschino cherries. Beat on low speed until everything is mixed together.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, keeping them about two inches apart.
- Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies just start to brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for five minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together a cup of confectioners’ sugar and the desired amount of red edible glitter.
- While still warm, roll each cookie in the sugar and glitter mixture, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Before packing and storing in an airtight container, consider rolling the cookies again in the sugar and glitter mixture for extra sweetness and sparkle.
How to Serve Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies
These cookies are perfect for sharing! Here are some great ways to serve them:
- Arrange the snowball cookies on a festive platter. Their beautiful, snowy finish makes them a lovely centerpiece at holiday gatherings.
- Pair with hot cocoa or coffee for a warm and inviting treat.
- For a fun touch, add some extra edible glitter on top when serving, giving a shiny finish to impress your guests.
Expert Tips for Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies
- Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too soft to shape into balls, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. This will make it easier to handle.
- Nut Variations: If you’re not a walnut fan, consider using pecans or almonds for a different flavor.
- Store with Care: To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last for about a week (if they last that long!).
Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Absolutely! Just make sure to pit and chop them finely. However, you might need to adjust the sugar in the recipe since fresh cherries are less sweet.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, these cookies freeze well! Place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to three months.
What can I use instead of almond extract?
If you prefer not to use almond extract, you can substitute it with more vanilla extract, or you can use a few drops of coconut extract for a different flavor twist.
These Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies are a delightful treat that you’ll want to make over and over again. Their festive look and delectable taste make them perfect for any occasion. So, grab your ingredients and get baking—you won’t regret it!
Cherry Walnut Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped maraschino cherries
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar plus more for decoration
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 1-2 teaspoons red edible glitter optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C).
- Place the chopped cherries on a paper towel and pat them dry.
- In a stand mixer bowl or a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter for about one minute until creamy.
- Add 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar, followed by the almond extract and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
- Gradually add in the flour, toasted walnuts, and the chopped maraschino cherries. Beat on low speed until everything is mixed together.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, keeping them about two inches apart.
Baking
- Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies just start to brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for five minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together a cup of confectioners’ sugar and the desired amount of red edible glitter.
- While still warm, roll each cookie in the sugar and glitter mixture, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
