The Story & Intro
If there’s one holiday treat that instantly makes me feel like a child again, it’s Walnut Snowball Cookies those soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth little gems that look like they’ve rolled straight out of a snowy fairy tale. Every December, when the cold air wraps around the house and my kitchen smells like toasted nuts and vanilla, I’m transported back to gentle holiday mornings where cookies were our love language.
And speaking of love languages…
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my therapy, my joy, and the most delicious way I know to make people smile.
But there’s a second story behind every recipe I share a small piece of my heart from Crete.
Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, raised in the sun-kissed warmth of Greece, where cooking has always been more than food it’s a hug, a memory, and a way to bring people together. My grandmother taught me how simple flavors can become magical when made with love. And yes, sometimes the kitchen got messy… but that was part of the fun. Today, I blend tradition with creativity, helping cooks of all levels create dishes that feel like home.
So here we are two worlds, two kitchens, one recipe full of nostalgia.
And today’s story-star is the dreamy, sweet, buttery wonder of Walnut Snowball Cookies (and yes, I’ll mention that keyword a few more times because they deserve the spotlight ✨). These cookies are simplicity at its best: a short ingredient list, a quick prep, and heavenly results. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned holiday pro, you’ll adore how easy and beautiful they turn out.
Let’s roll these little snowballs of happiness together. ❄️💛
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Chill (optional but recommended): 20 minutes
- Bake: 12–14 minutes
- Cool & sugar coat: 10 minutes
- Total: About 45 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
You’ll need only simple, cozy, pantry staples:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted for best flavor
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon (adds a warm twist!)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cream the butter & sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy. This step gives your Walnut Snowball Cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
2. Add vanilla
Blend in the vanilla extract until smooth and fragrant.
3. Mix in the dry ingredients
Add flour and salt to the bowl. Mix gently until a soft dough forms. It’ll look crumbly at first keep going. The dough comes together beautifully.
4. Stir in the walnuts
Fold in the finely chopped walnuts. Toasting them first is optional, but it deepens the flavor and adds a cozy aroma.
5. Chill the dough (optional but recommended)
Pop the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes. It helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.
6. Roll into snowballs
Scoop 1-tablespoon portions and roll them into smooth little balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. No need to flatten they bake into perfect domes.
7. Bake
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 12–14 minutes. The bottoms should be lightly golden; the tops will stay pale.
8. Roll in sugar (twice!)
While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar.
Let them cool 5 minutes and roll again for the full iconic snowball look ❄️✨.
Serving Suggestions
Walnut Snowball Cookies are perfect for:
- Holiday cookie boxes
- Christmas morning platters
- Gifts for neighbors, teachers, coworkers
- Enjoying with tea, cocoa, or a strong French coffee ☕
- Decorating your dessert table with little edible snowdrifts
Try pairing them with hot spiced cider or dipping them into melted chocolate for a richer twist!
Recipe Card
❄️ Walnut Snowball Cookies Recipe
A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth holiday classic dusted with snowy sweetness.
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 15 min
- Bake: 12–14 min
- Total: 45 min
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Extra powdered sugar
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cream butter + sugar.
- Add vanilla.
- Mix in flour + salt.
- Fold in walnuts.
- Roll into balls.
- Bake at 350°F for 12–14 min.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar twice!
📝 Notes
- Toasting walnuts adds deeper flavor.
- Dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds if preferred.
🍽️ Nutrition (per cookie)
Approx. 110 calories, 1g protein, 11g carbs, 7g fat.
Conclusion
There’s something magical about Walnut Snowball Cookies how they crumble gently, how they taste like butter and love, how they coat your fingers in that soft dusting of sweetness. They’re nostalgic, charming, and timeless.
From my Parisian childhood curiosity to Inaya’s warm Cretan kitchen memories, we hope these cookies bring joy to your home too. Baking is storytelling and today, you’ve added a new memory to your own delicious journey.
Now go enjoy your beautiful little snowballs ❄️💛
And bake them again soon!
