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Snowball Cookies

Snowball Cookies

Image Credit:
LanaM/Shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Category
Cookies and Bars
Course
Desserts
Sources
Old Farmer's Almanac Favorite Cookies

Bring the snow indoors with these classic snowball cookies! This easy recipe has a delicate crunch from the addition of cornmeal. Snowball cookies are perfect with a cup of tea or hot chocolate when you come in from making snowmen or—let’s be realistic—shoveling the driveway!

Enjoy our 10 Favorite Cookie Recipes.

Ingredients
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for coating
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to lower third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together butter, sugars, and vanilla.
  3. In a bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, and salt. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and stir to create a soft dough.
  4. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and space about 1-1/2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly colored.
  5. While cookies are still warm on baking sheets, use a small sieve to sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over cookies. When thoroughly cool, dredge them in confectioners’ sugar for a second coating.

About The Author

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

We love introducing fun new recipes as well as time-tested recipes, straight from the archives!

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Comments

<span>Debbie</span> Wed, 12/25/2024 - 12:55
I’m sorry to post this but these are horrible. Definitely feel and taste the corn meal.
<span>Cb</span> Mon, 12/08/2025 - 15:07
Right? The cornmeal sounds gross and gritty. My Mom makes these and I am positive she doesn't put cornmeal in them. She uses pecans! They're so yummy!
<span>Julia</span> Sun, 12/07/2025 - 05:20
It's supposed to be corn starch not corn meal. When you combine that with powdered sugar gives a lighter texture.
<span>Liz</span> Mon, 12/23/2019 - 10:45
skip the cornmeal. add black walnuts. Also, consider dipping they in chocolate.
<span>A.k. Jones</span> Wed, 12/14/2016 - 20:29
The pictures indicate the dough rises when it is baked, but no baking powder is mentioned.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 12/16/2016 - 16:17

The cookies did not rise, but the ample powdered sugar does make them look as if they did. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

 <span>Tabbi</span> Tue, 12/18/2012 - 07:41
Easy snowball cookies
<span>Winter Gal Sum…</span> Thu, 12/09/2010 - 02:32
Love these 'Snowball cookies' ...they are always an easy add...and everyone always loves them...ty :)