Snowball cookies

With all the snow outside, it was only appropriate that I bake something honoring the winter. So today, we have snowball cookies!

These little spheres of deliciousness are buttery and nutty and twice-dipped (!) in powdered sugar. They seem to stem from several cultural sources - quick Googling taught me that these pastries are also called Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies and Italian Wedding Cookies, and are also known as butterballs or jumbles.

I decided to call them snowball cookies, as it was fitting to the weather outside. Whatever you decide to call them however, they will be just as yummy - and easy to make!

It's as simple as creaming the butter and powdered sugar together, adding finely chopped nuts and flour, baking them, and then rolling them in more powdered sugar!

You can use any nuts you want. I happened to have pecans on hand, so that's what I used. I imagine that almonds or macadamia nuts would be just as great too! The recipe I used also suggested adding toasted coconut as a variation as well, so there are lots of different routes of creativity that one could take with these little cookies.

So kick back, enjoy one (or ten) of these snowballs while the snow piles up outside! Almost good enough to forget the cold and ice that's currently plaguing New England! (The currently geographically-incorrect title of my blog has never annoyed me more than this very moment).

Snowball cookies (makes about 4 dozen)
Adapted from Betty Crocker

• 1 cup of unsalted butter (two sticks)
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2¼ (281 g) cups flour
• ¾ cup finely chopped nuts (I used pecans)
• ¼ tsp salt
• More powdered sugar, for rolling 

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar together in a stand mixer on medium speed until smooth. 
3. Add vanilla and continue mixing.
4. Mix flour, nuts, and salt into mixture and continue mixing until dough forms. 
5. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on parchment paper lined cookie trays.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set (bottoms are just beginning to brown).
7. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar and let cool.
8. Roll again in more powdered sugar. 
9. Enjoy!