Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

Introduction

Gingerbread Snowballs are one of those recipes that instantly bring the warmth and joy of the holiday season. With every bite, they melt in your mouth, leaving a delicate sweetness and a rich, spiced flavor that’s comforting and nostalgic. I recently made these cookies for a family gathering, and they were an absolute hit! The combination of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves creates a cozy, festive flavor, and the powdered sugar coating gives them a snowy appearance, making them perfect for the winter season. They are wonderfully soft and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness, making them an ideal treat to enjoy with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. Even my kids, who are usually picky about spiced cookies, couldn’t get enough of these gingerbread snowballs. If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s easy to make and full of flavor, this recipe will not disappoint!

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe ❄️🍪

Gingerbread Snowballs are the perfect combination of warm, spiced gingerbread and the delicate sweetness of powdered sugar. These cookies are a twist on classic gingerbread cookies and are designed to be soft, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The spices used in this recipe—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves—bring out the warmth and coziness of the holiday season. Plus, the powdered sugar coating gives these cookies a beautiful snowy appearance that’s perfect for winter.

Not only do they taste amazing, but they’re also simple to make! This recipe doesn’t require any intricate decorating or special equipment, so you can have a batch of these festive cookies ready to serve in no time. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, giving them as gifts, or simply enjoying them with your loved ones at home, these Gingerbread Snowballs will quickly become a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

To make these delicious Gingerbread Snowballs, you will need the following ingredients:

For the cookies:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (57g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground allspice
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 2 ¼ cups (279g) all-purpose flour

For rolling the cookies:

• Extra powdered sugar (for rolling after baking)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup easier.

2. Mix the Dough:

• Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter until it is light and fluffy.
• Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and molasses to the butter. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
• Gradually add the flour in portions, mixing thoroughly after each addition until a dough forms. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, you can refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.

3. Form the Cookies:

• Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Roll the dough into small balls using your hands, and place them evenly on the prepared cookie sheets. Leave about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for spreading while baking.

4. Bake the Cookies:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Make sure to check for a soft, chewy center by avoiding overbaking. You want the cookies to remain soft and tender, so don’t wait for them to turn dark brown.

5. Coat in Powdered Sugar:

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1–2 minutes before rolling them gently in powdered sugar to coat. This helps the sugar stick while they’re still warm.
• Once the cookies are completely cool, you can optionally roll them in powdered sugar again for an extra snowy effect.

6. Enjoy!

• These cookies are perfect with a warm beverage like tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth softness and the festive gingerbread flavor!

Nutrition Facts

This recipe makes about 24 cookies. The nutrition information below is per cookie.

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 40mg
• Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: 25–27 minutes

How to Serve

These Gingerbread Snowballs are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:

• With Hot Drinks:
  • Pair them with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee for a cozy treat.
• As a Holiday Gift:
  • Package them in festive tins or bags and give them to friends and family as a holiday gift.
• On a Dessert Table:
  • These cookies are perfect for holiday parties or gatherings, adding a warm spiced touch to any dessert spread.
• With Ice Cream:
  • Crumble these cookies over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fun and flavorful dessert.
• After Dinner:
  • Enjoy these cookies as a light, sweet treat after a hearty meal.

Additional Tips

1. Use Room Temperature Butter:
   • Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the sugar. This ensures the dough has a smooth texture and the cookies bake evenly.
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough:
   • Once you’ve added the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in dense, tough cookies. A gentle hand will yield a tender, melt-in-your-mouth result.
3. Chill the Dough (Optional):
   • If your dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.
4. Check the Cookies Early:
   • Start checking your cookies at the 10-minute mark to ensure they don’t overbake. The perfect Gingerbread Snowball has a soft, chewy center, so they should be lightly golden on the edges, not dark brown.
5. Double the Recipe:
   • If you’re baking for a crowd, consider doubling the recipe. These cookies are so popular, they won’t last long, especially during the holiday season!

FAQ Section

1. Can I freeze these cookies?
   • Yes, you can freeze these cookies! After baking and cooling, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer. To serve, let them thaw at room temperature.
2. Can I substitute the molasses?
   • While molasses gives these cookies a rich flavor, you can substitute it with honey or maple syrup, though the taste will slightly differ.
3. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
   • It’s best to use unsalted butter for this recipe to control the amount of salt. If you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt to ¼ teaspoon.
4. Can I use whole wheat flour?
   • Yes, whole wheat flour can be used, but it may make the cookies a bit denser. You may need to adjust the texture by adding a little more flour if the dough feels too sticky.
5. How can I make these cookies spicier?
   • If you love a spicier gingerbread flavor, increase the amounts of ground ginger or cinnamon in the recipe. Add an extra ½ teaspoon of ginger for more warmth.
6. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
   • Absolutely! These cookies can be baked and stored in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze the dough and bake them fresh later.
7. Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
   • Chilling is optional. If the dough is too soft to handle, refrigerating it for 30 minutes will make it easier to roll into balls.
8. Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
   • Yes, chocolate chips would add a delightful touch to the flavor! Add about ½ cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough before rolling into balls.
9. Why are my cookies too flat?
   • If your cookies are flattening too much, it may be because the dough was too warm before baking. Try chilling it before rolling into balls.
10. What can I use to coat the cookies instead of powdered sugar?
    • You can roll these cookies in granulated sugar for a different look, or use a combination of powdered sugar and cinnamon for a spiced sugar coating.

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These Gingerbread Snowballs are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie collection, and with these tips and variations, you can make them your own. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or enjoying them by the fire, these cookies will make the season extra special!

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