Description
Delight in these Cherry Pistachio Snowball Cookies, a festive and buttery treat packed with nutty pistachios and sweet maraschino cherries. Perfectly baked to a slight golden hue and dusted with powdered sugar, they offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a burst of contrasting flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Nuts & Fruit
- 3/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) ensuring it reaches the right temperature before baking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, chopped pistachios, chopped maraschino cherries, granulated sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed while scraping the sides as needed until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed but not overworked to keep the texture tender.
- Shape Cookies: Form the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands or a cookie scoop for uniform size. Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet spaced evenly to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges turn just slightly golden but the center remains tender.
- Cool and Dust: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly, creating the signature snowball appearance.
Notes
- Do not grease the baking sheet, as this helps cookies hold their classic shape without spreading too much.
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and a smoother dough texture.
- Chop the maraschino cherries finely so they distribute evenly throughout the cookie dough.
- Allow cookies to cool slightly before rolling in powdered sugar to ensure the sugar adheres properly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
