Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set them aside.

Using parchment paper helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents their delicate bottoms from sticking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar with an electric hand mixer until light and creamy.

This usually takes about 2–3 minutes.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is evenly combined.

Step 3: Add the Lemon Flavor

Add the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and optional lemon extract.

Beat on low speed until everything is incorporated.

The mixture should smell wonderfully fresh and citrusy. Using both zest and juice gives the cookies a balanced lemon flavor.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms.

Avoid overmixing. Once the flour disappears, stop mixing.

If you’re adding pecans or walnuts, gently fold them into the dough using a spatula.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for approximately 20–30 minutes.

Chilling helps the butter firm up and makes the dough easier to roll into uniform balls.

If your kitchen is cool and the dough is already firm, you can shorten this step, but chilling generally helps the cookies maintain their round shape.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Scoop approximately one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it gently between your palms to form small balls.

Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Keep the balls relatively uniform in size so they bake evenly.

Step 7: Bake Until Set

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are just beginning to turn lightly golden.

The tops should remain pale. Snowball cookies are not meant to become deeply browned.

Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for approximately 5 minutes.

Step 8: Add the First Powdered Sugar Coating

Place some of the remaining powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.

While the cookies are still warm but firm enough to handle, gently roll each one in the powdered sugar until coated.

Transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

The first coating helps the sugar adhere to the buttery surface.

Step 9: Add the Final Snowy Coating

Once the cookies have cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar a second time.

This creates their beautiful thick, snowy appearance.

For an extra festive touch, arrange the cookies on a white serving platter and finish with a little freshly grated lemon zest.