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If there is one holiday cookie that instantly brings me back to my childhood, it’s these melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies. Every Christmas, I looked forward to my mom making them. Her recipe was passed down from my grandmother, and in our family, they were always called Mexican wedding cookies. They go by so many names, but no matter what you call them, they’re the sweetest little bite of holiday magic.
I took my mom’s classic recipe and gave it a lightened-up twist, without losing the nostalgic flavor I grew up with. She always made them with walnuts, and that’s the taste I remember most, but you can also use pecans or almonds, whatever your family loves. These lighter snowball cookies still have that perfect amount of sweetness and the soft, delicate texture that makes them so special.
One thing I love about this version is that it makes a smaller batch just enough to enjoy without too much temptation sitting around. Of course, you can easily double or triple the recipe if you’re baking for a crowd or gifting holiday cookies.
I hope these cozy, joyful little snowball cookies bring as much happiness to your home as they do to ours. They’re simple, festive, and truly one of my favorite Christmas cookies to make every year. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Why You Will Love These Healthier Snowball Cookies
- Healthier: There are only 2 tablespoons of light butter needed for this recipe. The applesauce keeps them moist while making them lighter.
- Easy to Make: Simply combine the ingredients in a bowl. There’s no stand mixer or electric hand mixer needed!
- Simple Ingredients: They come together with just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients.
- Delicious: They have all the classic snowball cookie flavor, made lighter but still just as satisfying.
What Are Snowball Cookies?
These cookies go by so many different names! I grew up calling them Mexican wedding cookies, but I’ve also heard them called Russian tea cakes, butterballs, snowballs, you name it. No matter what you call them, they almost always include nuts for that delicious flavor and texture. And if you shape them into little crescents, they’re often known as Viennese crescents or Greek kourabiedes.
Ingredients Needed
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base of these snowball cookies.
- Powdered Sugar: Add powdered sugar to the cookie batter for sweetness, and then roll the baked cookies in powdered sugar to give them the classic snowball look.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add the traditional nutty flavor and a little crunch.
- Light Butter: Helps the dough come together while keeping the recipe lighter.
- Applesauce: Adds moisture and sweetness while reducing the amount of butter needed.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract enhances the flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance and bring out the flavors.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Walnuts Substitution: You can swap the walnuts for pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios if you prefer.
- Powdered Sugar Substitute: Replace the powdered sugar with a powdered sugar alternative (like Lakanto) in both the dough and the coating to make the cookies sugar-free.
- Nut-Free Option: Leave the nuts out entirely or replace them with mini chocolate chips for a fun twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make these snowball cookies gluten-free, use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
How To Make Snowball Cookies
Step 1: Roughly chop the walnuts for even distribution.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened light butter and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar or powdered sugar substitute until smooth and creamy.
Then, stir in the room temperature applesauce, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
Step 3: Gently mix in the flour and chopped walnuts until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: For easier handling and slightly firmer cookies, chill the dough in the fridge for 10-20 minutes.
Step 5: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a 2-teaspoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, roll each portion into a ball, and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake the cookies at 350°F for 14-16 minutes, until the cookies are set but not browned.
Step 7: Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes, then roll them in 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar or sugar substitute while they’re still slightly warm. For an extra snowy finish, roll them in powdered sugar again once they have completely cooled.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these snowball cookies on their own or add them to a holiday cookie platter with favorites like sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, or peanut butter blossoms. They’re also delicious with hot chocolate, protein hot chocolate, coffee, or a warm chai latte.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Room Temperature: Use room-temperature butter and applesauce so the dough mixes smoothly.
- Chop the Nuts: Finely chop the walnuts so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Chill the dough for 10-20 minutes to make it easier to scoop and shape.
- Snowball Look: Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still slightly warm, and roll them again once cooled for an even “snowier” look.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. If the powdered sugar absorbs into the cookies, you can roll them in a little more before serving, if desired.
More Cookie Recipes to Try!
- Healthier Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
- Healthier Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
- Healthier Sugar Cookies With Easy Icing
- Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Healthy Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar or powdered sugar substitute
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons light butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar or powdered sugar substitute, for coating after baking
Instructions
- Roughly chop the walnuts for even distribution throughout the cookies.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened light butter and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar or powdered sugar substitute until smooth and creamy. Then, stir in the room temperature applesauce, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
- Gently mix in the flour and chopped walnuts until a soft dough forms.
- For easier handling and slightly firmer cookies, chill the dough in the fridge for 10-20 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a 2-teaspoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, roll each portion into a ball, and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies at 350°F for 14-16 minutes, until the cookies are set but not browned.
- Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes, then roll them in 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar or sugar-free substitute while they’re still slightly warm. For an extra snowy finish, roll them in powdered sugar again once they have completely cooled.
Video
Notes
- Room Temperature: Use room-temperature butter and applesauce so the dough mixes smoothly.
- Walnuts Substitution: You can swap the walnuts for pecans, almonds, or pistachios if you prefer.
- Powdered Sugar Substitute: Replace the powdered sugar with a powdered sugar alternative (like Lakanto) in both the dough and the coating to make the cookies sugar-free.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My favorite cookie! Going to try this but with hazelnuts. Do you think I can make ahead and freeze them for Christmas?
Hi Monica! These are my favorite cookies too, and hazelnuts would be such a delicious twist. Yes, you can absolutely make them ahead and freeze them. Just bake, let them cool completely, and freeze them without the powdered sugar. When you’re ready, thaw and roll them in fresh powdered sugar before serving. You can also freeze the dough, just shape the cookie dough balls, freeze, and bake later, add a couple extra minutes. I hope this helps!
These snowball cookies are one of my absolute holiday favorites. They’re melt-in-your-mouth soft, perfectly sweet, and so easy to make. I love how they come together with just a few simple ingredients, and every time I make them, they disappear fast! I know you’re going to love them as much as we do.