Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies are a festive little treat that brings together everything people love about classic holiday baking: buttery cookies, delicate sweetness, and a beautiful snowy powdered sugar coating. With colorful pieces of candied cherries tucked inside, these cookies have a cheerful Christmas appearance and a soft, tender texture that makes them perfect for holiday dessert trays.
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe offers an easy way to prepare homemade Christmas cookies without complicated techniques or elaborate decorations. All-purpose flour, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of salt create a delicate cookie dough, while candied cherries add sweetness and little pops of festive color.
The finished cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, giving them the familiar snowball appearance that makes them especially attractive during the winter holiday season. Their small size also makes them convenient for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, homemade gift boxes, and family gatherings.
Unlike heavily frosted cookies, these Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies get their charm from their simple appearance and buttery flavor. The combination of a delicate cookie and a snowy exterior makes them a lovely addition to any collection of traditional Christmas treats.
If you enjoy classic snowball cookies and want a festive variation with candied cherries, this recipe is a delicious-looking addition to your holiday baking plans.
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies
A beautiful Christmas appearance: The powdered sugar coating creates a snowy finish, while the candied cherries add festive red color throughout the cookies.
Simple ingredients: You only need seven ingredients, many of which are common baking staples.
Buttery flavor: Unsalted butter creates the rich flavor and tender texture associated with traditional snowball cookies.
Easy preparation: The dough uses straightforward mixing and shaping techniques, making the recipe approachable for home bakers.
Perfect for sharing: Their small size makes these cookies suitable for Christmas dessert platters, cookie exchanges, and homemade holiday gifts.
A festive twist on a classic: Candied cherries give traditional snowball-style cookies a colorful variation without requiring complicated decorations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses seven ingredients. Each one contributes to the flavor, structure, or festive appearance of the finished cookies.
All-Purpose Flour – 1 Cup
All-purpose flour provides the structure needed to hold the cookies together. It balances the butter and sugar while helping create a tender, delicate crumb.
Measure the flour carefully. Adding too much flour can make small butter cookies dry or crumbly.
If you use plain flour, there is no need to make any adjustment because plain flour and all-purpose flour refer to essentially the same type of flour in this recipe.
Unsalted Butter – 1/2 Cup
Butter is the main source of richness and flavor in these cookies. It helps create the tender texture and provides the classic buttery taste associated with snowball cookies.
Use softened butter rather than melted butter. Softened butter is easier to combine with powdered sugar and helps produce a smooth, workable dough.
Unsalted butter is preferred because it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe.
Powdered Sugar – 1/4 Cup for the Dough
Powdered sugar sweetens the cookie dough and contributes to its fine texture. Its delicate consistency blends smoothly with softened butter.
Sift the powdered sugar if it contains lumps before adding it to the mixing bowl.
Powdered Sugar – 2/3 Cup for Coating
The additional powdered sugar creates the signature snowy exterior.
Once the cookies have cooled enough to handle, roll them gently in powdered sugar until coated. A second light coating can be used if you prefer a more pronounced white finish.
Candied Cherries – 18
Candied cherries provide the colorful fruity addition that makes these cookies different from traditional snowball cookies.
Chop the cherries into small pieces so they can be distributed throughout the dough. If the cherries are particularly sticky, separate the pieces before mixing them into the butter mixture.
Vanilla Extract – 1/2 Teaspoon
Vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances the buttery flavor of the cookies.
Pure vanilla extract is a good choice, although another suitable vanilla extract can also be used.
Salt – 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the butter and vanilla.
Even a small amount helps prevent the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
How to Make Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies
The preparation involves making a simple butter cookie dough, incorporating the chopped candied cherries, shaping the cookies, and baking them until set. Follow these five steps for an organized preparation process.
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients and Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) as a suggested starting temperature, since the supplied ingredient list does not specify a baking temperature.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Allow the unsalted butter to soften at room temperature. It should be soft enough to mix easily but should not be melted.
Measure the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Chop the 18 candied cherries into small pieces so they can be evenly incorporated into the dough.
Preparing everything before mixing makes the process easier and helps keep the ingredient quantities organized.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Powdered Sugar, and Vanilla
Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl.
Add the 1/4 cup powdered sugar and beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. A hand mixer or stand mixer can make this step easier, although a sturdy mixing spoon can also be used.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure the butter and sugar are evenly combined.
The mixture should look creamy rather than melted or oily.
Step 3: Add the Flour, Salt, and Candied Cherries
Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture.
Mix gently until the ingredients begin to form a soft dough. Avoid mixing longer than necessary once the flour has been added.
Fold in the chopped candied cherries, distributing the pieces throughout the dough.
The dough should be soft enough to shape but firm enough to hold together. If it feels particularly sticky, a short chilling period may help, although the exact chilling time has not been established for this untested recipe.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies and Bake
Scoop small portions of dough and gently roll them between your palms to create round cookies.
Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake until the cookies are set and the bottoms are lightly colored. Avoid waiting for the tops to become deeply golden.
Because the exact baking time has not been provided or verified, begin checking the cookies around 10–12 minutes and adjust according to their size and your oven.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest briefly before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Step 5: Cool and Coat with Powdered Sugar
Allow the cookies to cool until they are firm enough to handle.
Place the remaining 2/3 cup powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
Roll each cookie gently in the powdered sugar until its surface is evenly coated.
For a more pronounced snowy appearance, allow the first coating to settle and apply a second light coating once the cookies have cooled completely.
Transfer the finished Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies to a serving plate or airtight container.
Tips for the Best Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies
A few simple preparation details can help improve the appearance and texture of these festive cookies.
Use softened butter: Butter that is too cold will be difficult to cream with the powdered sugar. Melted butter, on the other hand, can change the dough consistency. Allow it to soften naturally before mixing.
Chop the cherries evenly: Smaller pieces are easier to distribute throughout the dough and help prevent large fruit pieces from making the cookies difficult to shape.
Measure flour accurately: Too much flour can produce dry cookies that crumble easily. Measuring by weight, when possible, helps improve consistency.
Do not overmix the dough: Once the flour has been added, mix only until the ingredients come together. Excessive mixing can affect the texture.
Shape evenly sized cookies: Similar-sized portions help the cookies bake more consistently and create a neat holiday presentation.
Let the cookies cool before coating: If the cookies are too warm, the powdered sugar may absorb into the surface. Allowing them to cool sufficiently helps preserve the snowy appearance.
Use a shallow bowl for coating: A shallow bowl makes it easier to roll the cookies without breaking their delicate shape.
Keep the powdered sugar coating light and even: A gentle coating creates a classic snowball appearance without covering the cookies in an excessively thick layer.
Variations and Substitutions
These Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies can be adapted with a few simple decorative and flavor changes.
Almond Cherry Snowball Cookies
Replace the vanilla extract with a small amount of almond extract for a different flavor combination. Almond and cherry are a familiar pairing, and the variation works well with the buttery cookie base.
Use almond extract sparingly because its flavor can be stronger than vanilla.
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
For a sweeter variation, finely chop a small amount of white chocolate and fold it into the dough along with the cherries.
Keep in mind that adding extra ingredients changes the original recipe proportions, so the dough consistency and baking results may differ.
Extra Snowy Christmas Cookies
For an especially snowy appearance, apply a second coating of powdered sugar after the cookies have cooled completely.
This creates a fuller white exterior and makes the cookies stand out on Christmas dessert platters.
Mini Cherry Snowballs
Shape the dough into smaller portions to create bite-sized cookies.
Smaller cookies may require less baking time, so check them earlier and look for set edges and lightly colored bottoms.
Festive Red and Green Cookies
Use candied cherries as the main fruit addition and decorate the serving platter with green holiday sprinkles or other Christmas-themed decorations.
This adds color to the presentation without changing the basic cookie dough.
Cooking Notes
These cookies are a type of buttery shortbread-style snowball cookie. Their texture depends on the balance between flour, butter, and powdered sugar.
The butter should be softened but not melted. This makes it easier to create a smooth mixture and shape the dough.
The candied cherries should be chopped into small pieces before being added. Large pieces may make the cookies harder to shape evenly.
The powdered sugar used for coating should remain separate from the powdered sugar used in the dough. The recipe calls for 1/4 cup inside the dough and 2/3 cup for the exterior.
The suggested oven temperature of 350°F (175°C) and the initial checking time are starting recommendations rather than verified recipe specifications. Baking time will depend on cookie size, thickness, baking sheet material, and oven performance.
The cookies should be set before being removed from the oven. Their tops do not need to become deeply golden.
Serving Suggestions
Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies are especially attractive on holiday dessert platters because of their white powdered sugar coating and colorful cherry pieces.
Christmas Cookie Trays: Arrange them alongside sugar cookies, gingerbread, shortbread, and chocolate crinkle cookies for a festive assortment.
Holiday Dessert Tables: Serve them in small groups on a decorative white or red serving plate. Their snowy appearance works beautifully with Christmas decorations.
Coffee and Tea: Pair these buttery cookies with a cup of coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate for a simple afternoon treat.
Cookie Exchanges: Their small size and festive appearance make them a convenient choice for sharing with friends, family, and neighbors.
Homemade Christmas Gifts: Place completely cooled cookies in food-safe gift tins or boxes lined with parchment paper. Separate the layers carefully to help protect their powdered sugar coating.
After-Dinner Desserts: Serve a few cookies alongside other small holiday sweets for an easy dessert selection after Christmas dinner.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
How to Store Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them.
Place them in an airtight food-safe container and keep them in a cool, dry place.
Separate layers with parchment paper to help prevent the powdered sugar coating from rubbing off and to protect the delicate cookies from breaking.
For the best quality, enjoy them within approximately one week.
Can You Freeze Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies?
The recipe has not been tested for freezing, so the results cannot be guaranteed.
If you choose to freeze them, use a freezer-safe airtight container and separate the layers with parchment paper. Allow the cookies to thaw while still protected from excess moisture.
The powdered sugar coating may need refreshing after thawing.
Can You Make the Dough Ahead?
The dough may be prepared ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator, although this method has not been tested for this particular recipe.
If the dough becomes too firm to shape, allow it to soften slightly before rolling the cookies.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: Approximately 15 minutes
- Cook Time: To be confirmed through recipe testing; begin checking around 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 25–30 minutes, depending on baking time and cooling
- Yield: To be confirmed after portioning
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Cuisine: North American-inspired
- Method: Baking
- Difficulty: Easy
- Season: Christmas, Holiday Baking
Nutritional Information
The following nutritional information is an estimate only. It has not been calculated from verified ingredient-label data or a confirmed final cookie yield.
For a reliable per-cookie calculation, the final number of cookies and the nutritional information from the exact ingredients are needed.
- Calories: To be calculated
- Protein: To be calculated
- Sodium: To be calculated
Because this recipe uses candied cherries and powdered sugar, the final nutritional values will depend partly on the brands and quantities used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies different from regular snowball cookies?
The main difference is the addition of candied cherries. Traditional snowball cookies are often made with a buttery dough and powdered sugar coating, while this variation includes colorful cherry pieces for a festive Christmas appearance.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of candied cherries?
Candied cherries are recommended for this recipe because they provide concentrated sweetness and a firmer texture. Fresh cherries contain more moisture and would change the consistency of the dough.
Why do snowball cookies need powdered sugar on the outside?
Powdered sugar creates the traditional snowy appearance associated with snowball cookies. It also adds a delicate layer of sweetness to the outside of the buttery cookies.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, but the salt balance will change. If using salted butter, consider reducing or omitting the additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Why is my cookie dough too crumbly?
A crumbly dough may result from too much flour, insufficiently softened butter, or inaccurate measurements. Check the flour measurement carefully and make sure the butter is properly softened before mixing.
Can I prepare these cookies without an electric mixer?
Yes. A sturdy wooden spoon or hand whisk can be used to combine the butter and powdered sugar, although achieving a smooth, creamy mixture may require more effort.
When should I roll the cookies in powdered sugar?
Allow the cookies to cool until they are firm enough to handle. Rolling them while excessively hot may cause the powdered sugar to absorb into the surface.
Can I add more candied cherries?
Adding extra cherries may change the balance and consistency of the dough. It is best to begin with the specified 18 cherries and adjust only after testing the recipe.
Why are my cookies spreading in the oven?
Possible causes include butter that is too warm, an overly soft dough, or inaccurate ingredient measurements. Make sure the butter is softened rather than melted and shape the dough evenly.
Are these Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies good for holiday gifts?
Yes. Their small size, white powdered sugar coating, and red cherry pieces make them attractive for Christmas cookie boxes and homemade holiday gifts.
Can I make these cookies smaller?
Yes. You can shape smaller portions of dough for bite-sized cookies. Smaller cookies may bake faster, so check them earlier than larger portions.
Conclusion
Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies are a festive variation of a classic buttery holiday cookie. With simple ingredients, colorful candied cherries, and a delicate powdered sugar coating, they bring a beautiful snowy appearance to Christmas dessert tables.
Their straightforward preparation makes them a lovely option for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts. The combination of buttery dough, vanilla, and sweet cherry pieces offers a familiar flavor with a festive seasonal touch.
Whether you serve them alongside traditional Christmas cookies or package them in decorative holiday tins, these Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies are a charming addition to your seasonal baking collection.
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Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies – Buttery, Soft & Easy Holiday Treats
Ingredients
This recipe uses seven ingredients. Each one contributes to the flavor, structure, or festive appearance of the finished cookies.
All-Purpose Flour – 1 Cup
All-purpose flour provides the structure needed to hold the cookies together. It balances the butter and sugar while helping create a tender, delicate crumb.
Measure the flour carefully. Adding too much flour can make small butter cookies dry or crumbly.
If you use plain flour, there is no need to make any adjustment because plain flour and all-purpose flour refer to essentially the same type of flour in this recipe.
Unsalted Butter – 1/2 Cup
Butter is the main source of richness and flavor in these cookies. It helps create the tender texture and provides the classic buttery taste associated with snowball cookies.
Use softened butter rather than melted butter. Softened butter is easier to combine with powdered sugar and helps produce a smooth, workable dough.
Unsalted butter is preferred because it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe.
Powdered Sugar – 1/4 Cup for the Dough
Powdered sugar sweetens the cookie dough and contributes to its fine texture. Its delicate consistency blends smoothly with softened butter.
Sift the powdered sugar if it contains lumps before adding it to the mixing bowl.
Powdered Sugar – 2/3 Cup for Coating
The additional powdered sugar creates the signature snowy exterior.
Once the cookies have cooled enough to handle, roll them gently in powdered sugar until coated. A second light coating can be used if you prefer a more pronounced white finish.
Candied Cherries – 18
Candied cherries provide the colorful fruity addition that makes these cookies different from traditional snowball cookies.
Chop the cherries into small pieces so they can be distributed throughout the dough. If the cherries are particularly sticky, separate the pieces before mixing them into the butter mixture.
Vanilla Extract – 1/2 Teaspoon
Vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances the buttery flavor of the cookies.
Pure vanilla extract is a good choice, although another suitable vanilla extract can also be used.
Salt – 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the butter and vanilla.
Even a small amount helps prevent the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
Instructions
Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) as a suggested starting temperature, since the supplied ingredient list does not specify a baking temperature.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Allow the unsalted butter to soften at room temperature. It should be soft enough to mix easily but should not be melted.
Measure the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Chop the 18 candied cherries into small pieces so they can be evenly incorporated into the dough.
Preparing everything before mixing makes the process easier and helps keep the ingredient quantities organized.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Powdered Sugar, and Vanilla
Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl.
Add the 1/4 cup powdered sugar and beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. A hand mixer or stand mixer can make this step easier, although a sturdy mixing spoon can also be used.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure the butter and sugar are evenly combined.
The mixture should look creamy rather than melted or oily.
Step 3: Add the Flour, Salt, and Candied Cherries
Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture.
Mix gently until the ingredients begin to form a soft dough. Avoid mixing longer than necessary once the flour has been added.
Fold in the chopped candied cherries, distributing the pieces throughout the dough.
The dough should be soft enough to shape but firm enough to hold together. If it feels particularly sticky, a short chilling period may help, although the exact chilling time has not been established for this untested recipe.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies and Bake
Scoop small portions of dough and gently roll them between your palms to create round cookies.
Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake until the cookies are set and the bottoms are lightly colored. Avoid waiting for the tops to become deeply golden.
Because the exact baking time has not been provided or verified, begin checking the cookies around 10–12 minutes and adjust according to their size and your oven.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest briefly before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Step 5: Cool and Coat with Powdered Sugar
Allow the cookies to cool until they are firm enough to handle.
Place the remaining 2/3 cup powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
Roll each cookie gently in the powdered sugar until its surface is evenly coated.
For a more pronounced snowy appearance, allow the first coating to settle and apply a second light coating once the cookies have cooled completely.
Transfer the finished Cherry Christmas Snowball Cookies to a serving plate or airtight container.
Notes
These cookies are a type of buttery shortbread-style snowball cookie. Their texture depends on the balance between flour, butter, and powdered sugar.
The butter should be softened but not melted. This makes it easier to create a smooth mixture and shape the dough.
The candied cherries should be chopped into small pieces before being added. Large pieces may make the cookies harder to shape evenly.
The powdered sugar used for coating should remain separate from the powdered sugar used in the dough. The recipe calls for 1/4 cup inside the dough and 2/3 cup for the exterior.
The suggested oven temperature of 350°F (175°C) and the initial checking time are starting recommendations rather than verified recipe specifications. Baking time will depend on cookie size, thickness, baking sheet material, and oven performance.
The cookies should be set before being removed from the oven. Their tops do not need to become deeply golden.
