Welcome the holiday season with a delightful treat that combines the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread with the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture of classic snowball cookies. These Easy Gingerbread Snowballs are the perfect addition to your festive baking repertoire. With a hint of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, these cookies capture the essence of gingerbread in a fun, bite-sized form. They’re rolled in powdered sugar to resemble little snowballs, making them as visually appealing as they are delicious.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or just to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa, these Gingerbread Snowballs are sure to be a hit. They’re quick to make, require simple ingredients, and bring a festive touch to any cookie platter. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these delightful treats!

Recipe Summary: These Easy Gingerbread Snowballs are tender, spiced cookies with a rich gingerbread flavor, rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. They’re simple to make and perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a warm, comforting taste of the season in every bite.

Personal Story: Every year, as the holiday season approaches, I look forward to baking a variety of cookies to share with family and friends. These Easy Gingerbread Snowballs have become a staple in my holiday baking, as they capture the nostalgic flavors of gingerbread in a convenient, poppable form. The first time I made them, I was amazed at how quickly they disappeared from the cookie tray! Now, they’re a must-have at every holiday gathering, and I love seeing the smiles they bring to everyone’s faces.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Gingerbread Snowballs:

Selling Points:

• Holiday Flavor: These cookies are packed with classic gingerbread spices that evoke the warmth and coziness of the holiday season.
• Easy to Make: With a straightforward recipe and simple ingredients, these snowballs are perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers.
• Festive Presentation: Rolled in powdered sugar, these cookies look like little snowballs, adding a festive touch to your holiday cookie platter.

How to Make Easy Gingerbread Snowballs:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and molasses, and mix until well combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms. If using, fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
4. Shape the Cookies:
   • Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5. Bake:
   • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet.
6. Roll in Powdered Sugar:
   • While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the remaining powdered sugar until fully coated. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Serve:
   • Once cooled, give the cookies a final roll in powdered sugar for an extra snowy appearance. Enjoy!

Tips For Easy Gingerbread Snowballs

• Chill the Dough: If your dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before rolling into balls.
• Make Ahead: These cookies can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Substitutions and Variations:

• Nuts: For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans or walnuts.
• Spices: Adjust the spices to your taste, or add a pinch of allspice for an extra kick.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of these cookies.

Make a Healthier Version:

• Reduced Sugar: Use a sugar substitute for the powdered sugar in the dough and for rolling to reduce the sugar content.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Swap some of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour to add more fiber and nutrients.

Closing: These Easy Gingerbread Snowballs are a must-try for anyone who loves the flavors of gingerbread and the festive spirit of the holidays. They’re simple to make, fun to share, and sure to become a new favorite in your holiday baking traditions. Whether you’re making them for a party, a gift, or just to enjoy at home, these cookies are guaranteed to bring joy to anyone who takes a bite. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions For Easy Gingerbread Snowballs

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough. Roll it into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What type of molasses should I use?

Use unsulfured molasses for the best flavor. Blackstrap molasses is too strong and bitter for this recipe.

Can I make these cookies without nuts?

Yes, you can omit the nuts if you prefer, or if you have a nut allergy.

How should I store these cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.

Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?

Ground ginger is recommended for the best texture and flavor, but if you prefer fresh ginger, use it sparingly, as it has a stronger, more pungent flavor.

Can I use a different type of sugar for rolling?

While powdered sugar is traditional, you can also roll the cookies in cinnamon sugar for a different flavor.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make these cookies vegan, use a plant-based butter and substitute the molasses with a vegan-friendly syrup like maple syrup.

What can I serve with these cookies?

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too much, it may be due to over-creaming the butter and sugar or not chilling the dough enough before baking.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled if you’re baking for a crowd or want to have extra cookies on hand.

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Easy Gingerbread Snowballs

Recipe by CutsfoodCourse: All Recipes

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons molasses

• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Directions

• Preheat the Oven:
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cream the Butter and Sugar:
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and molasses, and mix until well combined.
• Add Dry Ingredients:
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms. If using, fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Shape the Cookies:
• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
• Bake:
• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet.
• Roll in Powdered Sugar:
• While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the remaining powdered sugar until fully coated. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Serve:
• Once cooled, give the cookies a final roll in powdered sugar for an extra snowy appearance. Enjoy!