Delicate Snowball Cookies Without Nuts

What Are Snowball Cookies

Snowball cookies are traditional shortbread cookies that are buttery, tender, and melt in your mouth—just as delicious as they sound! These cookies are especially popular during Christmas, and many countries have their own versions and variations. Known by different names such as Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, melting moments, and polvorones, they are a global favorite.

In Malaysia, they're often called milky Arabic cookies or powdered milk cookies and are commonly served during Ramadan, alongside other festive treats like pineapple cookies (tart nenas), chocolate almond cookies, cornflake cookies, and coconut cookies.

Equipment

• Stand mixer

• Baking pan

• Measuring cups

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cup (300 g) unsalted butter , room temperature

• 1 cup (125 g) powdered milk

• 2 ¼ cup (290 g) all-purpose flour

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar

Instructions

• Prepare a baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) with top and bottom heat, avoiding the use of the fan.

Cookies

• Combine the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beating on medium speed for 4–5 minutes until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered milk and mix for an additional 1–2 minutes.

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for 4–5 minutes until fluffy, then gradually add the powdered milk and mix for another 1–2 minutes.

• Arrange the balls evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake

• Bake on the lower third rack for 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie bottoms turn golden brown. Take them out of the oven immediately.

Coat

• Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl and let the cookies cool for 4-5 minutes, or until they feel warm to the touch.

• Roll each cookie in powdered sugar individually, then allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, give the cookies a second dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Notes

• Use the spoon-and-level method for measuring cups, but a good kitchen scale is more accurate and reliable.

• Use a handheld oven thermometer to ensure the oven's temperature is precise.

• The dough may initially appear crumbly, but the warmth of your hands will soften the butter and help the dough come together into smooth, cohesive balls.

• The initial dusting of powdered sugar should be done while the cookies are still warm.

• The cookies should be completely cooled before applying the second coating of powdered sugar.

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