GINGERBREAD SNOWBALLS
These Gingerbread Snowballs are soft, spiced cookies rolled in powdered sugar, combining the warm flavors of gingerbread with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for the holiday season or as a sweet treat any time of year!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined to form a dough.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Once chilled, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. The centers should be soft.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before rolling them in powdered sugar while they are still warm.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- For an extra festive touch, you can sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top of the cookies after they’ve cooled.
- If you prefer a less spiced flavor, reduce the amount of ginger and cinnamon in the recipe.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
- You can add chopped candied ginger to the dough for an added burst of ginger flavor.
- These snowballs are great for holiday gift-giving or as part of a holiday cookie platter.
- To make the cookies slightly firmer, bake them for an extra 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to over-bake them.