Lemon Snowball Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Lemon Snowball Cookies are delicate, buttery treats with a bright citrus twist. Their tender texture and powdered sugar coating make them a delightful snack or dessert, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for the dough)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) salt
- Additional powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whip them together until the mixture is airy, voluminous, and pale in color.
- Step 2: Add the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the citrus flavor.
- Step 3: Gradually fold in the flour, stirring gently until a tender, cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture delicate.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Shape the dough into small, uniform spheres about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Step 6: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges show a subtle golden hue.
- Step 7: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool just enough to handle safely.
- Step 8: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat evenly, creating a snow-like exterior.
- Step 9: Once fully cooled, coat the cookies in powdered sugar again for an extra frosted, wintery finish.
Tips & Variations
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add a little extra lemon zest or a few drops of lemon extract.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nuttier taste and softer texture.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to make it easier to handle and maintain shape while baking.
- Roll cookies in powdered sugar while still warm to help the sugar stick better and give a smoother coating.
Storage
Store Lemon Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To maintain their freshness, place wax paper between layers. Reheat briefly in a low oven if you prefer them warm before serving, but they are lovely at room temperature.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use lemon juice from a bottle instead of fresh lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch. Just make sure it’s 100% lemon juice without added preservatives or flavorings.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Make sure the dough is well chilled before shaping the cookies. Also, avoid over-softening the butter, as too soft butter can cause excessive spreading during baking.
PrintLemon Snowball Cookies Recipe
These Lemon Snowball Cookies are buttery, tender, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Coated twice in powdered sugar, they offer a delightful snowy finish that melts in your mouth. Perfect for a refreshing twist on classic snowball cookies, they’re simple to prepare and bake to buttery perfection with a zesty citrus kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 27-30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for the dough)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) salt
For Coating
- Additional powdered sugar (for rolling/coating)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a spacious mixing vessel, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar, whipping the mixture until it becomes airy, voluminous, and pale creamy in color, to create a light base for the cookie dough.
- Add Lemon and Salt: Incorporate the finely grated lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and salt into the whipped butter mixture, blending thoroughly to distribute the refreshing citrus essence evenly throughout the dough.
- Mix in Flour: Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour. Gently stir until a tender, cohesive dough forms, taking care to avoid overmixing to maintain a delicate texture in the cookies.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick during baking.
- Shape Cookies: Form the dough into small, uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them gently to allow slight expansion during baking.
- Bake: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, until the edges develop a subtle golden hue, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool Briefly: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool just enough to be handled comfortably without burning your fingers.
- First Powdered Sugar Coating: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create an initial snowy coating on the surface.
- Final Dusting: Once the cookies have completely cooled, repeat the powdered sugar coating to achieve a frosty, snow-like finish that enhances their classic appearance and taste.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best bright lemon flavor.
- Be careful not to overmix once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- Double coating the cookies in powdered sugar gives them their characteristic snowball appearance.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before the final coating to prevent the sugar from melting.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Keywords: Lemon Snowball Cookies, lemon cookies, snowball cookies, powdered sugar cookies, lemon dessert, easy cookie recipe, citrus cookies
