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Home » Recipes » Courses » Desserts » Cookies

Gingerbread Snowball Cookies

Published: Nov 20, 2019 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Sep 20, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

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Snowball cookies in blue tin
Pinterest pin with white text on blue background in the middle and 2 photos of gingerbread snowball cookies. Top photo is cookies in a blue patterned cookie bin and bottom photo is a gingerbread cookie broke in half on white surface

Christmas baking is one of the best things about the holiday season! But there are just too many recipes and too little time. That's why these EASY Gingerbread Snowball Cookies are the perfect cookie to make this time of year! They are a little twist on the classic snowball cookie.

Snowball cookies in blue tin

Super quick and easy to make, these cookies are unique in that they taste like delicate little cakes. During the holiday season, they also make a great edible gift or addition to any holiday platter!

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭History of Mexican Wedding cookies
  • 🍽 Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 💭Here are some other ideas for your holiday platters
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe
  •  
  • 🎄More Holiday Baking

These little snowball Christmas cookies have a number of names, snowballs being only one of them, because they actually do look like little snowballs. However, they are also known as Pecan Sandies or Pecan Balls (when they are made with pecans), Russian tea cakes and by their most well-known name,  Mexican wedding cookies or cake cookies.

You can also make these gingerbread snowman cookies! 🙂

Gingerbread Snowball Cookies piled up to look like a snowman

🥘 Ingredients

For these gingerbread snowballs, you'll need:

  • unsalted butter
  • white granulated sugar
  • salt
  • vanilla
  • all-purpose flour
  • ground almond
  • ginger
  • cinnamon
  • powdered sugar/icing sugar
  • red and green sparkling sugar

📖 Variations

I usually make my snowball cookies with ground pecans, but I decided to try ground almond instead. Snowball cookies can be made with other nuts (ground or chopped) and since almond is so mild tasting, I added some gingerbread flavor to spice things up, as gingerbread lends such a festive flair for the holiday season. And  WOW. I was blown away by how delicious these cookies are! I mean, they are sooo good to begin with, but gingerbread made them GREAT!

Gingerbread Snowball cookies broken in half

There are some variations, but your typical Mexican wedding cake cookie is a simple light, buttery and cakey cookie, formed into a ball, comprised of finely chopped nuts and rolled in confectioner's sugar, aka powdered sugar or icing sugar, as we like to call it in Canada.

💭History of Mexican Wedding cookies

Food historians believe that origins of the Mexican Wedding cake cookie is far removed from Mexico, going back to medieval Arab cookery; the Middle East has a long tradition of special -occasion pastries. And although it has a rich heritage, it didn't actually make it's debut in American cookbooks until the 1950's when Tex- Mex became popularized in the U.S. . In Mexico itself, Mexican wedding cake cookies are known as polvorones. They're very popular and can be found in most bakeries. But in Mexico, just be sure to ask for them by their proper name or you might encounter blank stares or confused looks. You can read more about the history of these cookies HERE.

Snowball cookies in blue tin

🍽 Equipment

It's best to make this recipe with a food processor (affiliate link), but if you don't have one, you can use a mixer. You will also need a baking sheet. You could also use a small cookie scoop.

🌡️Storage

  • These Christmas snowball cookies can be stored, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. 
  • This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. *However, you are best to decorate/ice the cookies once they are defrosted. If you add the powdered sugar coating before freezing it will just melt off when thawed.

These almond snowball cookies can be made in under 30 minutes, leaving you more time to do all the other things you want to do over the holiday season (perhaps even more baking?), making these Gingerbread snowballs the ultimate Christmas cookie.

MERRY CHRISTMAS BAKING!!!

💭Here are some other ideas for your holiday platters

Gingerbread lime bars

Gingerbread Lime bars | Foodmeanderings.com

Gingerbread Yule Log Cookies

Gingerbread Christmas Cookies | without molasses - foodmeanderings.com

4 Ingredient Whipped Shortbread

4 ingredient whipped shortbread piled on a plate with red background

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

Almond Snowball cookies in a blue Christmas cookie tin, with ribbon around it
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe

Also known as Mexican wedding cookies, these Easy Gingerbread Snowball Cookies are a simple light, buttery and cakey ball shaped cookie covered in powdered sugar. They are quick to prepare, making them the ultimate snowball Christmas cookie and the perfect edible gift or addition to any holiday baking tray!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: almond, cookies, gingerbread, Mexican wedding cookies, snowball
Special Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 24 snowballs
Calories: 154kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

food processor or mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all - purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely ground almonds
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Garnish

  • ¼ cup powdered/icing sugar
  • red and green sparkling sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C.
  • In a food processor mix butter, white granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, flour, ground almond, ginger and cinnamon process until mixture clings together. * I found this is the best way to make these.
  • Alternatively, if you are using a mixer, beat butter, then add granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, ginger and cinnamon. Then beat in as much flour as possible with the mixer, stirring in remaining flour and ground almond with a large spoon.
  • Shape into balls (at least an 1- 1.5 inches in size) . * If you are having difficulty forming them into balls, you can wet your hands a little to make it easier
  • Place a ½ inch to 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake in preheated oven for for about 15-20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
  • Transfer to wired rack and cool for 5 minutes.
  • Mix powdered sugar with red and green sparkling sugar. Roll each snowball in mixture.
  • Sprinkle on additional green and red sparking sugar as desired.

Notes

 
Nutrition Facts
📋 Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 154 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 26mg1%
Potassium 13mg0%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 236IU5%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 14g (5%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 10g (15%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Cholesterol: 20mg (7%) | Sodium: 26mg (1%) | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 6g (7%) | Vitamin A: 236IU (5%) | Calcium: 14mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

 

🎄More Holiday Baking

  • Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
  • Gingerbread Fruit & Nut Edible Christmas Wreath
  • Microwave Sugar Cookie Fudge
  • Raspberry Jam Cookies
  • Butter Tart Thumbprint Cookies

More Cookie recipes

  • White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
  • Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookies
  • Healthy Comfort Foods
  • Christmas Baking Collection

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine

    November 26, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Love that I can make these in 30 minutes! I agree, Terri, Christmas baking is one of the highlights of the holidays! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      November 27, 2019 at 9:05 am

      thanks, Elaine!

      Reply
  2. Colleen

    November 26, 2019 at 4:54 pm

    I usually make Mexican wedding cookies over the holidays, but now I'm going to try your gingerbread version. Great idea, I know they'll be delicious.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      December 03, 2019 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Colleen,
      Thanks! Yes, the gingerbread adds another dimension!

      Reply
  3. Trish Cowper

    November 27, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    Love these! I love the gingerbread spices. I can't wait to try them.

    Reply
  4. Sean@Diversivore

    November 30, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    What a great idea. I mean, I love pecans, but almonds just seem like they'd be perfect here, and something about almonds and powdered sugar just works for me. And I LOVE the fact that these come together by tossing everything into the food processor. Perfect for a quick cookie, and even better for baking with the kids! Cheers, and Happy Holidays!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      December 03, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      Thanks, Sean. Yes, gotta love a quick cookie during this busy time of year!

      Reply
  5. Isabelle @ Crumb

    December 01, 2019 at 10:49 pm

    These sound like they'd be a wonderful addition to my holiday cookie-baking plans... I always like to have a few different varieties for my holiday open house party, and the fact that these come together in just 30 minutes is a definite plus. Love me a quick and easy cookie!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      December 03, 2019 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks, Isabelle! They definitely add a little variety to the platter!

      Reply

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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