Red velvet snowball cookies are a holiday favorite—soft, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. These delightful treats bring festive color and melt-in-your-mouth texture to your dessert table. Perfect for gift-giving, parties, or just indulging with a cup of cocoa!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
These cookies are as easy to make as they are gorgeous to look at. They combine the classic flavors of red velvet with the crumbly, tender texture of snowball cookies. With minimal effort, you’ll have a stunning dessert that looks like it came straight out of a holiday bakery.
Ingredients
Here’s a glimpse at what you’ll need to make these festive cookies. The full list of ingredients and measurements is in the recipe card below.
- All-purpose flour for structure and a tender crumb
- Unsalted butter for rich, buttery flavor
- Powdered sugar for sweetness and that snowy coating
- Cocoa powder for a hint of chocolate
- Red food coloring for that iconic red velvet hue
You’ll find the full ingredient list and details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Directions
- Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in vanilla extract, red food coloring, and cocoa powder, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually incorporate the flour until a dough forms.
- Roll dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until set, then let cool slightly before rolling them in powdered sugar for that signature snowball look.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- For extra tender cookies, don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to make shaping easier.
- Double-coat the cookies with powdered sugar for a thicker, snowy finish.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Swap cocoa powder with dark cocoa for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Add mini chocolate chips for a fun surprise inside each cookie.
- Use green food coloring instead of red for a festive twist.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These cookies are delightful on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or even a chilled glass of milk. Serve them alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, peppermint bark, or eggnog for a full Christmas dessert spread.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- If needed, re-coat in powdered sugar before serving to freshen up their look.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be prepared and chilled up to 2 days in advance, or you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Why do I need to roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?
The first coating melts slightly into the warm cookies, while the second gives that perfect snowy finish.
Can I use salted butter?
If you’re using salted butter, skip the pinch of salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
Do I have to use food coloring?
No, but it’s what gives these cookies their iconic red velvet appearance. You can skip it or use a natural alternative.
Conclusion
Red velvet snowball cookies are a surefire way to add festive cheer to your holiday baking lineup. They’re quick to make, visually stunning, and absolutely delicious. Gather your ingredients, channel your inner baker, and get ready to spread some holiday magic!
Print
Red Velvet Snowball Cookies: Easy Christmas Desserts
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Red Velvet Snowball Cookies are the perfect holiday treat! Soft, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar, they melt in your mouth with every bite. Their vibrant red color and subtle cocoa flavor make them a standout addition to any Christmas dessert table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp red food coloring
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp (12g) cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (120g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- If using, fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then roll them generously in powdered sugar while still warm. Roll them again once completely cool for a thick, snowy coating.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add ¼ tsp almond extract or peppermint extract to the dough.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- These cookies can be made ahead and frozen, then rolled in fresh powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg