Snowball Cookies, known for their delicate texture and festive appearance, are a nostalgic treat enjoyed during holidays and special occasions. Often rolled in coconut or powdered sugar, these cookies hail from American kitchen traditions but are inspired by European tea biscuits. This particular variation uses a light vanilla frosting and a toasted coconut coating, creating a cloud-like bite that melts in your mouth. With simple pantry ingredients and an old-fashioned method, this recipe bridges generations, reminding us of handwritten recipe cards passed from grandmothers to grandchildren. Their snowball shape and name make them especially popular for winter celebrations.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups sifted flour
Fluffy White Frosting:
- 1 egg white
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 2 ½ cups toasted shredded coconut (for rolling)
Instructions
Step 1: Cream Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Blend in Wet Ingredients
- Add egg yolk, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well until smooth.
Step 3: Add Flour
- Gradually blend in the sifted flour until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Shape Dough
- Divide dough into 3 equal parts.
- Roll each portion into an 11-inch “cable” (rope shape).
- Cut each rope into 3/4-inch pieces.
Step 5: Bake
- Place dough pieces on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake at 350°F for 15–17 minutes, or until delicately golden.
Step 6: Prepare Fluffy White Frosting
- Combine egg white, sugar, corn syrup, water, salt, and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler.
- Place over rapidly boiling water and beat with a hand mixer until mixture forms stiff peaks (about 7 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Beat an additional minute.
Step 7: Coat Cookies
- Allow cookies to cool completely.
- Spread or dip cookies in fluffy frosting.
- Roll each frosted cookie in toasted coconut.
- Let set until firm.
Tips
- Substitute half the butter with cream cheese for a tangier cookie.
- Add 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough.
- Use unsweetened shredded coconut for a less sweet variation.
- Replace vanilla with almond extract for a nutty aroma.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Snowball Cookies Bake 350° for 15 to 17 min. 3 dz. Cream; ½ c. butter. Add ½ c. sugar cream well. Blend in; 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp. vanilla and ¼ tsp. salt Gradually add; 1¼ c. sifted flour Divide; dough into 3 parts. Shape into 10" balls. Cut into ¾" pieces; place on ungreased cookie sheets. (over) Bake; at 350° for 15 to 17 min. until delicately brown. Cool coat with Frosting; roll in 2 to 2½ c. toasted coconut. Fluffy White Frosting Combine in top of double boiler ⅔ c. sugar, 1 egg white, ¼ c. lgt. corn syrup, 2 tbsp. water, ⅛ tsp. salt, and ⅛ tsp. cream of tartar. Cook over rapidly boiling water, beating with mixer until mixture stands in peaks. Remove from heat. Add 1 tsp. vanilla; continue beating 1 min.
From Transcription to Instructions
Hi , we’re the Salvaged Recipes folks, and before you start baking we wanted to tell you how we handled the short original directions versus our instructions. The original directions are pretty spare , “Divide; dough into 3 parts. Shape into 10″ balls. Cut into 3/4″ pieces” , so our instructions break that into dividing into thirds, rolling each portion into a rope and cutting 3/4″ pieces so the sizes and order are clear. The original frosting line simply says to cook until it “stands in peaks,” so our instructions keep that step but add an expected beating time (about 7 minutes) and the extra minute after you stir in the vanilla so you’ll know when it’s ready.
Nutrition
Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1.3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 120IUCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.4mg
