Irresistibly Soft Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe: Holiday Magic

Gingerbread snowballs dance with warm, aromatic spices that capture winter’s cozy essence.

Soft and delicate, these little morsels carry a nostalgic charm reminiscent of childhood memories.

Traditional baking techniques elevate simple ingredients into magical confections that sparkle with festive spirit.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of rich, robust flavors and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Rolled delicately and kissed with powdered sugar, these cookies embody the warmth of family gatherings.

Sweet and inviting, they represent more than just a dessert—they’re a celebration of seasonal joy.

Prepare to indulge in a treat that whispers comfort and happiness.

Gingerbread Snowballs: A Winter Treat You Can’t Resist

• Festive Winter Flavor Explosion: These gingerbread snowballs burst with warm holiday spices like cinnamon and molasses, creating a cozy taste that instantly transports you to cheerful winter gatherings.
• Super Simple Baking Adventure: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic mixing skills, making it an approachable and stress-free holiday treat that anyone can master in under 30 minutes.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture Magic: Soft, delicate cookies dusted with powdered sugar deliver a light, crumbly texture that literally dissolves on your tongue, offering a delightful contrast between the tender interior and sugary exterior.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: With just 24 calories per cookie and a quick 10-12 minute baking time, these snowballs are an effortless way to impress friends and family during holiday parties or casual weekend baking sessions.

Must-Have Ingredients for Gingerbread Snowballs

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base with smooth texture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and creates delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture for cookies.
• Molasses: Gives deep, warm flavor and contributes to classic gingerbread taste.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex background flavor to the cookies.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic spice blend that creates traditional gingerbread warmth and aroma.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps create soft, tender cookie texture.
• Powdered Sugar (for rolling): Creates beautiful white coating and extra sweet finish on cookies.

How to Make the Perfect Gingerbread Snowballs

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla
• Salt
• Spices
• Molasses

Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Form Cookie Dough

Gradually add flour and mix until a smooth dough forms. The mixture should be consistent and easy to handle.

Step 4: Shape Cookies

Scoop of dough for each cookie. Roll into smooth balls. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 minute.

Step 6: Add Powdered Sugar Coating

While cookies are still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar. This creates a delightful snowy exterior.

Step 7: Final Dusting

Once cookies cool completely, roll them again in powdered sugar for an extra sweet and festive finish. The double coating creates a beautiful snowball effect that’s both delicious and visually appealing.

Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Snowballs Every Time

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the snowball's round shape.
• Gentle Rolling Technique: Use light pressure when forming balls to keep the texture delicate and prevent dense cookies.
• Sugar Coating Timing: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar for the first coating, then wait until completely cool for the second dusting to achieve a beautiful snowy effect.
• Spice Balance: Adjust ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to personal taste, ensuring a perfect warm winter flavor profile.
• Storage Secret: Store in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep cookies soft and prevent them from drying out for up to a week.

Storing Gingerbread Snowballs to Keep Them Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled gingerbread snowballs in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. These cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when chilled.
• Freeze: Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term storage. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft texture. Sprinkle fresh powdered sugar after reheating to revive their sweet, festive look. Avoid microwaving, which can make cookies tough and dry.

Best Ways to Enjoy Gingerbread Snowballs

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: The aromatic chai tea complements the gingerbread's warm spices, creating a cozy flavor harmony that enhances the cookies' rich, festive profile.
• Match with Creamy Eggnog: The thick, sweet eggnog balances the gingerbread's subtle spiciness, offering a luxurious holiday drinking experience that feels like a comforting winter embrace.
• Serve alongside Dark Roast Coffee: The robust, slightly bitter coffee cuts through the cookie's sweetness, providing a delightful contrast that brings out the depth of the gingerbread's molasses and spice notes.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cool, smooth vanilla ice cream creates a delectable temperature and flavor contrast, melting beautifully against the warm, spiced cookie texture.

Add Some Spice to Your Gingerbread Snowballs

• Chocolate Chip Ginger Balls: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough for a rich, decadent texture that complements the warm gingerbread spices.
• Nutty Ginger Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for added crunch and a subtle nutty flavor that enhances the gingerbread profile.
• Lemon Zest Gingerbread: Incorporate fresh lemon zest into the mixture to brighten the traditional gingerbread taste with a citrusy, tangy undertone.
• Almond-Coated Version: Roll the cooled cookies in finely ground almonds instead of powdered sugar for a sophisticated, nutty coating that adds depth to the classic recipe.

Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Gingerbread Snowballs bring festive winter magic to classic cookie traditions. Warm spices and powdered sugar coating create a delightful holiday treat that melts in your mouth, inviting sweet memories of seasonal cheer.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ¼ cups (279g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (57g) powdered sugar

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Extra powdered sugar for rolling

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter until it becomes light and aerated, creating a fluffy texture.
3. Incorporate powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, aromatic ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and rich molasses into the butter mixture, blending until a uniform and silky consistency develops.
4. Gradually fold in all-purpose flour, stirring carefully until a cohesive, smooth dough forms without overmixing.
5. Measure approximately of dough for each cookie, gently rolling between palms to create perfect spherical shapes.
6. Arrange the delicate dough balls on prepared baking sheets, ensuring adequate spacing to allow even baking.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that indicate precise doneness.
8. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest for one minute, which helps stabilize their structure.
9. While still slightly warm, delicately roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar, creating a luxurious frost-like coating.
10. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to cool completely before performing a final, generous dusting of powdered sugar for enhanced sweetness.

Notes

• Capture the warm, spicy essence of the holidays with these melt-in-your-mouth gingerbread snowballs.
• Perfectly balanced with rich molasses and warming spices, these cookies bring comfort and joy to any festive gathering.
• Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to a week, allowing flavors to deepen and develop.
• Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar creates a delicate, snow-like coating that looks stunning on cookie platters.
• Experiment with additional spices like cardamom or white pepper to customize the flavor profile and surprise your guests.
• Serve chilled for an extra-crisp texture that enhances the delicate crumb and aromatic spice blend.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg