These Cherry Pistachio Snowball Cookies are a festive holiday treat! With a hint of sweetness from maraschino cherries, a nutty crunch from pistachios, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re the perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter. Rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish, they make a beautiful and delicious dessert to share.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Flavors: The combination of pistachio and cherry adds a unique holiday flavor and color.
- Easy to Make: These cookies come together quickly with simple ingredients.
- Perfect for Gifting: Their snowy coating and colorful appearance make them a wonderful holiday gift.
- Soft and Buttery Texture: The tender, crumbly texture makes them melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup pistachios, chopped
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for coating
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, chopped pistachios, chopped cherries, granulated sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until everything is well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottoms are slightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to keep the cookies tender.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Double Coat for Extra Snowiness: Once the cookies are completely cooled, roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a thicker, snowier coating.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Spatula or spoon for mixing
- Small bowl for powdered sugar
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: Serve these cookies on a holiday platter or as part of a dessert spread. They’re a beautiful and festive addition to any holiday table.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. The powdered sugar coating helps keep them fresh.
- Freezing: These cookies freeze well. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Roll them in additional powdered sugar after thawing, if needed.
Recipe Variations
- Almond Cherry Snowballs: Substitute the pistachios with chopped almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- Chocolate Cherry Snowballs: Add 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips to the dough for a touch of chocolate.
- Citrus Twist: Add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the dough for a hint of citrus that complements the cherries.
Helpful Notes
- Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for the best texture.
- Cherry Tips: Drain the maraschino cherries well and pat them dry with a paper towel to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- Rolling Twice: Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar (once warm, once cool) gives them a beautiful, snowy coating.
Tips from Bakers
- Chef Ina Garten: “For an even coat of powdered sugar, use a small sieve to sprinkle sugar over each cookie a second time for a fine, snowy layer.”
- Chef Dorie Greenspan: “Make sure your butter is room temperature so it creams well with the sugar and provides the tender texture these cookies are known for.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt or omit it altogether to keep the balance of flavors.
Q2: Can I substitute another type of nut?
Absolutely! Chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts would also work well in this recipe.
Q3: Can I make these cookies in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it. Let the dough come to room temperature before rolling into balls and baking.
Q4: How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for about 15-20 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm or if the dough feels too soft.
Q5: How do I keep the cookies fresh?
Store the cookies in an airtight container, and for a festive touch, layer them with parchment paper and extra powdered sugar to maintain their snowy look.
Enjoy the Festive Charm of Cherry Pistachio Snowball Cookies!
These Cherry Pistachio Snowball Cookies are a delightful blend of festive flavors and colors, perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting. With a tender, buttery texture, sweet cherries, and crunchy pistachios, each bite brings a bit of holiday magic. Enjoy making, sharing, and savoring these cookies with family and friends!
Cherry Pistachio Snowball Cookies with a Powdered Sugar Coating
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup pistachios chopped
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries chopped
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, chopped pistachios, chopped cherries, granulated sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract.
- Mix on low speed until the ingredients are well combined, scraping the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are slightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- For best results, roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time once they have completely cooled for an extra snowy coating.
Notes
- Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for the best texture.
- Cherry Tips: Drain the maraschino cherries well and pat them dry with a paper towel to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- Rolling Twice: Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar (once warm, once cool) gives them a beautiful, snowy coating.