Strawberry Snowball Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Strawberry Snowball Cookies Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up these delightful strawberry snowball cookies that capture pure childhood joy.

Soft, buttery rounds dusted with powdered sugar, bursting with fruity charm.

These delicate treats bring unexpected brightness to traditional cookie recipes.

Crumbly textures melt on your tongue, releasing subtle strawberry essence with each delectable bite.

Seasonal ingredients create magic in simple baking moments.

Winter or summer, these cookies promise smiles and comfort.

Grab a plate and let the baking adventure begin!

Sweet Reasons To Love Strawberry Snowball Cookies

  • Burst of Fruity Freshness: Crushed freeze-dried strawberries infuse these snowball cookies with a vibrant, natural strawberry flavor that makes every bite a delightful surprise.
  • Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want a delicious treat without complicated techniques.
  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture Delight: The powdery coating and soft, buttery cookie create an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth experience that transforms ordinary cookies into a luxurious dessert moment.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: These strawberry snowball cookies work wonderfully for casual family gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or as a sweet gift, appealing to both kids and adults with their playful pink appearance and sweet taste.

What You’ll Need For Strawberry Snowball Cookies

Cookie Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Soft, creamy foundation that provides rich flavor and tender texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweet component that helps create light and crisp cookies.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor depth to the cookie base.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Structural ingredient that gives cookies their classic shape and texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
Strawberry Flavor Ingredients:
  • Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Concentrated fruit powder that brings intense strawberry taste and natural pink color.
Coating Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar, Crushed Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Light, sweet exterior that provides delicate sweetness and additional strawberry accent.

Baking Steps For Strawberry Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to toasty 350F (175C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Magical Dough

Grab your mixing bowl and whip up some delightful magic:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
Beat these ingredients until they become light and fluffy like a cloud. In another bowl, mix:
  • Flour
  • Crushed freeze-dried strawberries
  • Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the buttery mixture until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Shape Delicate Treats

Roll the dough into adorable little balls, each about the size of a ping pong ball. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, giving each cookie some breathing room.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and let the cookies transform. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms turn a gentle golden color. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Craft the Sweet Coating

In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar with crushed freeze-dried strawberries. This creates a dreamy pink coating with an extra burst of strawberry flavor.

Step 6: Dress the Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled, roll each one in the powdered sugar mixture. For an extra indulgent touch, give them a second roll just before serving.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

These delightful snowball cookies are ready to be devoured! They’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week – if they last that long!

Helpful Tips For Strawberry Snowball Cookies

  • Freeze-Dry Flavor Boost: Crush freeze-dried strawberries finely to ensure even distribution of fruity flavor throughout the cookie dough and coating.
  • Soft Dough Technique: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent sticky hands and create more uniform cookie balls.
  • Sugar Coating Perfection: Allow cookies to cool completely before rolling in powdered sugar to prevent melting and achieve a clean, even coating.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Storage Savvy: Layer cookies between parchment paper when storing to prevent them from sticking together and maintain their delicate powdered sugar coating.

Storage Tips For Strawberry Snowball Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Transfer cooled cookies to an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
  • Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without the powdered sugar coating to preserve texture.
  • Thaw: Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar. Gently restore their delicate texture by letting them come to room temperature naturally.
  • Refresh: Warm cookies briefly in the oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their original softness and enhance the buttery flavor. Dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving.

Pairing Ideas For Strawberry Snowball Cookies

  • Brew Delightful Strawberry Tea Pairing: Steep a light, fragrant strawberry herbal tea that complements the cookies' delicate texture and enhances the sweet strawberry undertones. The tea's gentle warmth will perfectly balance the powdery cookie's richness.
  • Select Creamy Vanilla Accompaniment: Pair these snowball cookies with a chilled glass of vanilla bean milk or a smooth vanilla latte. The creamy, subtle vanilla notes will harmonize beautifully with the strawberry's fruity essence and the cookie's buttery base.
  • Match Champagne Celebration Touch: Elevate the dessert experience by serving these elegant cookies with a crisp, light champagne or prosecco. The bubbly's effervescence will cut through the cookie's sweetness and provide a sophisticated, celebratory twist to the treat.
  • Create Whipped Cream Decadence: Serve alongside a dollop of fresh whipped cream infused with a hint of strawberry extract. The airy, light cream will provide a luxurious contrast to the dense, powdery cookie texture.

Ways To Change Strawberry Snowball Cookies

  • Berry Bliss Variation: Swap freeze-dried strawberries with raspberries or mixed berries to create a vibrant, tangy flavor profile that adds unexpected brightness to the classic snowball cookie.
  • Citrus Zest Edition: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough and coating for a refreshing, bright undertone that complements the sweet base of the cookie.
  • Chocolate Chip Fusion: Fold mini white chocolate chips into the dough for added creamy texture and subtle sweetness that enhances the delicate strawberry notes.
  • Nutty Crunch Twist: Mix finely chopped almonds or pistachios into the dough to introduce a subtle crunch and nutty undertone that balances the cookie's soft texture.

FAQs For Strawberry Snowball Cookies

  • What makes these snowball cookies special?

These cookies stand out because of the unique addition of freeze-dried strawberries, which give a delightful fruity twist to the classic snowball cookie recipe. The crushed strawberries add both flavor and a gorgeous pink tinge to the cookies.

  • Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried ones?

No, fresh strawberries won’t work. Freeze-dried strawberries are crucial for adding flavor without adding moisture to the dough. Fresh strawberries would make the cookies too wet and prevent them from holding their shape.

  • How do I get the perfect texture for these cookies?

The key is to not overmix the dough and to handle it gently. Mix just until the ingredients come together, and roll the dough into uniform balls. This ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that snowball cookies are famous for.

  • Are freeze-dried strawberries easy to find?

Freeze-dried strawberries are typically available in most grocery stores, often in the dried fruit section or baking aisle. If you can’t find them locally, online retailers like Amazon also sell them easily.

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Strawberry Snowball Cookies Recipe

Strawberry Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet winter magic happens when classic Russian tea cookies meet luscious strawberry charm. Delicate powdered sugar-coated snowball cookies melt delightfully, delivering pure comfort in each buttery, fruity bite you’ll absolutely adore.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (230 grams / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (250 grams / 8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 grams / 3.5 ounces) granulated sugar

Strawberry Components:

  • ½ cup (60 grams / 2.1 ounces) freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed into powder
  • 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed (optional, for color and extra strawberry flavor)

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating:

  • 1 ½ cups (180 grams / 6.3 ounces) powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for smooth cookie release.
  2. Create a creamy butter base by whipping softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, then incorporate vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
  3. Develop the cookie foundation by gently combining flour, pulverized freeze-dried strawberries, and salt in a separate mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
  4. Merge the wet and dry mixtures, folding carefully to form a cohesive dough without overmixing, which could result in tough cookies.
  5. Craft uniform cookie spheres by rolling the dough between palms, creating consistent one-inch rounds that will bake evenly on the prepared sheets.
  6. Position cookie spheres with adequate spacing to prevent merging during the baking process, allowing room for gentle expansion.
  7. Bake the delicate morsels for 12-15 minutes, watching for a subtle golden hue developing underneath, which signals perfect doneness.
  8. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheets, helping them stabilize and prevent crumbling during transfer to cooling racks.
  9. Craft a delicate coating by whisking powdered sugar with optional crushed freeze-dried strawberries, creating a blush-tinted sweet envelope.
  10. Enrobe each cooled cookie completely in the powdered sugar mixture, ensuring thorough and elegant coverage for a professional finish.
  11. For enhanced flavor complexity, consider a second light dusting of the sugar mixture just before serving to intensify the strawberry essence.
  12. Store completed cookies in an airtight container, maintaining their delicate texture for up to one week at room temperature.

Notes

  • Swap freeze-dried strawberries with ground nuts or cocoa powder for alternative flavor profiles that match different dietary preferences.
  • Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted to achieve the perfect cookie texture and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Roll cookies gently in powdered sugar when completely cool to prevent sugar from absorbing moisture and becoming clumpy.
  • Customize the sweetness by adjusting powdered sugar coating – less for a less sweet version or more for extra indulgence.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 40mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing​, Fusion Cuisine​, Food Styling and Photography​, Culinary Education​

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.​

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
  • Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.​

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation. 

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.

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