Lemon Snowball Cookies – Rich, buttery, zesty, delicate and delicious lemon snowballs or wedding cookies that melt in your mouth. A holiday favorite!
What are lemon snowball cookies?
Snowball Cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, are tiny, buttery cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar, which gives them a white, snow-like appearance. They are often made with pecans or walnuts and have a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
There are many variations and lemon snowballs are one of them. Lemon snowballs are made from a buttery dough infused with lemon zest. The dough is rolled into bite-sized balls, baked until light golden and then rolled in powdered sugar while cookies are still warm.
These cookies have a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture and are perfect for holidays. It’s a burst of freshness in every bite.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
Super easy to make!
Can be a great addition to your Christmas cookie flavor.
Refreshing, delicious and a burst of freshness in every bite.
Perfect for citrus lovers!
Ingredients & Substitutions:
Flour – Plain flour or all purpose flour is the base of the cookie dough. I haven’t tried this recipe with any other flour yet.
Butter – I have used unsalted butter in this recipe. Make sure it’s at room temperature. Replace it with vegan butter if you are looking for a plant-based cookie recipe.
Powdered Sugar – It is also known as confectioners’ sugar. It’s used both in the dough and for coating the baked snowballs.
Lemon Zest – Grated lemon zest adds the vibrant citrus flavor to these snowball cookies. Reserve the lemon juice for some other recipe, these cookies don’t require lemon juice.
Vanilla – Adds a wonderful flavor. You could also use almond extract.
Turmeric – This is totally optional. Turmeric powder will add a lovely yellow color. You can skip it or replace it with edible food color.
Salt
Serving suggestions:
These are so good alongside with a cup of coffee or tea.
They are perfect for parties and gatherings.
These can be a perfect edible gift during the festive season.
Storage suggestions:
You can store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely, you can freeze the dough easily. Roll it into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Can the baked snowballs be frozen?
Yes, once the cookies are baked and rolled in powdered sugar, arrange them in an airtight container and separate the layers with parchment papers. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature and roll them in some powdered sugar again before serving.
Variations:
You can experiment with variations such as adding finely chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) or incorporating other flavors like a bit of almond extract for a flavor twist.
Add poppy seeds to the dough for a wonderful crunch or flavor.
You can also add confetti sprinkles to make them colorful.
Tips & Notes:
Use a good quality butter and other ingredients for the best flavor.
When zesting lemons, do not grate the white pith beneath the yellow skin, as it can impart bitterness. Use only the yellow outer layer.
If you are not able to roll the dough after chilling, let the dough sit at room temperature for few minutes.
Do not roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are too hot. They should be just warm, so the sugar sticks well without melting. Once cooled, roll them again in the powdered sugar for an extra coating.
Do not overbake the cookies, as it can make the cookies dry. Bake them until the bottoms are lightly golden.
Step by step instructions:
Combine butter and powdered sugar in a bowl and mmix until light and creamy.
Add vanilla, salt, lemon zest and turmeric powder.
Mix until well combined.
Add measured flour to the creamed butter and mix well to make a smooth dough using a spatula.
Wrap the prepared dough with cling film and refrigerate it for an hour or until the dough becomes firm.
Once it is chilled, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for few minutes.
Roll the chilled dough into small 1-inch size round balls.
Arrange them on a lined baking tray. Let them bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the bottom of cookies are slightly browned at 180 degrees C.
Once they are baked, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool down a bit.
When the baked cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar.
Arrange them on a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Once cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for super white snowballs.
You might love these baking recipes:
- Biscotti Regina
- Vegan Mango Cake
- Orange Tutti Frutti Cake
- Chocolate Kiss Snowballs
- Peppermint Meltaways
- Cherry Turnovers
- Gulab Jamun Turnovers
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Easter Braid
- Santas Whiskers Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkles
How to make lemon snowballs recipe video below:
Lemon Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 Cup Plain Flour / All-Purpose Flour
- ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar (for dough)
- ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 ½ Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- ¼ Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar (to coat the baked cookies)
Instructions
- Combine butter and powdered sugar in a bowl and mix until light and creamy.
- Add vanilla, salt, lemon zest and turmeric powder. Mix until well combined.
- Add measured flour to the creamed butter and mix well to make a smooth dough using a spatula.
- Wrap the prepared dough with cling film and refrigerate it for an hour or until the dough becomes firm.
- Once it is chilled, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for few minutes.
- Roll the chilled dough into small 1-inch size round balls.
- Arrange them on a lined baking tray. Let them bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the bottom of cookies are slightly browned at 180 degrees C.
- Once they are baked, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool down a bit.
- When the baked cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar.
- Arrange them on a wire rack and let them cool completely.
- Once cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for super white snowballs.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only.
I just made these cookies for Christmas and they are SOOOOOO good. I did add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract for some extra flavor. The color with the turmeric is beautiful! I will say, this recipe only made about 16 cookies for me and I made them pretty small. Making 2 more batches right now for gifts! Thank you!!
So glad they turned out well. Thanks for trying the recipe and feedback. Happy Holidays! 🙂