If you’re in the mood for a light, refreshing, and sweet cookie to brighten up your holiday season, Lemon Snowball Cookies are the perfect choice. These delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are bursting with a zesty lemon flavor and dusted with powdered sugar, creating a soft, snowy effect. They’re the perfect combination of citrusy brightness and sweet, buttery goodness.
What makes these snowball cookies so special is their light, crumbly texture and the refreshing burst of lemon that balances the sweetness. They’re also incredibly easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients, and they look stunning as a part of your holiday cookie spread. The powdered sugar coating makes them look like little snowballs, adding a festive touch to any gathering!
I first made these Lemon Snowball Cookies as part of my holiday cookie tradition, and they’ve quickly become a favorite. Their bright lemon flavor is a perfect contrast to richer holiday treats, and they’re always a crowd-pleaser. These cookies are also incredibly versatile, and I’m sure they’ll become a favorite in your home too!
Why These Lemon Snowball Cookies Will Be Your New Favorite
- Light and buttery: These cookies are soft and crumbly, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s incredibly satisfying.
- Refreshing lemon flavor: The bright lemon flavor adds a burst of freshness that makes these cookies perfect for the holidays and beyond.
- Simple ingredients: With just a handful of ingredients, these cookies are easy to make and don’t require any complicated techniques.
- Perfect for gifting: These cookies are not only delicious but also beautiful, making them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or gifting to friends and family.
- Versatile: These cookies can be made ahead of time and stored for a few days, making them an easy and convenient holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Lemon Snowball Cookies
- Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. - Make the dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until well combined. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. - Shape the cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. - Bake the cookies:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just beginning to turn golden around the edges. The centers should remain soft and slightly underbaked. - Cool and roll in powdered sugar:
Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. While they are still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before rolling them in powdered sugar a second time for an extra snowy finish. - Serve and enjoy:
Your Lemon Snowball Cookies are ready to be served! Enjoy them with a warm cup of tea or coffee, or add them to your holiday cookie spread for a delightful treat.
Tips
- Zest the lemons carefully: Be sure to only zest the bright yellow part of the lemon peel, as the white pith can be bitter.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. Overbaking can cause them to lose their delicate texture.
- Use fresh lemon juice: For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled lemon juice.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make them gluten-free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of these cookies.
- Add poppy seeds: For an added touch of texture and flavor, you can add 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the dough for a lemon poppy seed variation.
- Orange snowballs: Swap out the lemon zest and juice for orange zest and juice for a festive twist on the classic snowball cookie.
Make a Healthier Version
- Use a butter substitute: Replace the butter with a plant-based butter or coconut oil to make the cookies dairy-free.
- Lower the sugar: You can reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the dough or substitute it with a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-sugar version.
Closing
And there you have it! Lemon Snowball Cookies are the perfect combination of buttery, crumbly goodness and bright, zesty lemon flavor. These cookies are not only delicious but also look beautiful on any holiday dessert table. Whether you’re sharing them with family and friends, or gifting them to loved ones, these cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer. Don’t forget to let us know how your Lemon Snowball Cookies turn out, and be sure to check out more of our festive dessert recipes for even more sweet inspiration!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make these cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also freeze well for up to 1 month. - Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is best for flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch. Fresh lemon zest, however, is recommended for the best results. - Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute for regular flour. - How do I store leftover cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. - Can I add other flavorings to these cookies?
Yes! You can add a bit of vanilla bean paste or almond extract to the dough for an extra layer of flavor. - Can I make these cookies without powdered sugar?
You can substitute powdered sugar with regular granulated sugar, but the texture and appearance will differ slightly. Powdered sugar gives the cookies their signature smooth coating. - How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Be sure to chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This will help the cookies maintain their shape and prevent spreading. - Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes! You can replace the butter with a dairy-free option like plant-based butter or coconut oil. - Can I use a different citrus for these cookies?
Yes! You can substitute the lemon with orange, lime, or grapefruit zest and juice for a fun variation. - Why do these cookies need to be rolled in powdered sugar twice?
Rolling them twice ensures they have a thick, snowy coating that makes them even more festive and delicious!
Lemon Snowball Cookies
Course: All Word Recipes4
servings30
40
minutes300
kcal0
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 all-purpose flour
1/2 cup 1/2 unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup 1/4 powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
1 tablespoon 1 lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
1 tablespoon 1 fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 salt
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Make the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until well combined. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just beginning to turn golden around the edges. The centers should remain soft and slightly underbaked.
- Cool and roll in powdered sugar:
- Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. While they are still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before rolling them in powdered sugar a second time for an extra snowy finish.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Your Lemon Snowball Cookies are ready to be served! Enjoy them with a warm cup of tea or coffee, or add them to your holiday cookie spread for a delightful treat.
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