Mix in the vanilla extract, citrus zest, and (if using) the citrus juice. The dough will smell incredible—fresh and bright.
Zest tip: Always zest before juicing. And try to avoid the bitter white pith under the peel—only the colored part.
4) Add Dry Ingredients
Add the flour and salt gradually, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. If using nuts, stir them in now.
Don’t overmix: Overmixing develops gluten and can make cookies tougher instead of melt-away tender.
5) Chill the Dough (Recommended)
Cover the dough and chill for 20–30 minutes.
Why chill? Chilling makes the dough easier to roll and helps the cookies keep their round shape. You can skip it if you’re in a hurry, but chilling improves results.
6) Roll into Balls
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into smooth balls. Place them on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart (they don’t spread much).
For smaller snowballs, use 2 teaspoons of dough. For bigger bakery-style snowballs, use 1 1/2 tablespoons and bake slightly longer.
7) Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just barely turning golden. The tops should still look pale.
Important: Snowball cookies should not brown much. If they get too golden, they’ll lose that soft, delicate texture.
8) Roll in Powdered Sugar (Twice!)
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—just until they’re warm but not fragile. Then roll them gently in powdered sugar and place on a cooling rack.
Once completely cool, roll them in powdered sugar again for the perfect snowy coating.
Why roll twice? The first coating melts slightly into the warm cookie and sticks. The second coating stays fluffy and white, giving that iconic holiday snowball look.
Pro Tips for Perfect Citrus Snowball Cookies
Use fresh zest for real citrus flavor
Citrus extracts can taste artificial. Zest is natural and powerful.
Don’t overbake
They might look underdone, but they finish setting as they cool. Overbaking makes them dry.
Make the zest “extra fragrant”
Rub the citrus zest into the powdered sugar before creaming. This releases the citrus oils and intensifies the flavor.
Want a stronger citrus punch?
Add 1/8 teaspoon citrus extract (lemon or orange) along with the vanilla. A tiny amount goes a long way.
Citrus Options (Pick Your Favorite)
Lemon Snowballs
Bright, classic, and the most “holiday cookie tray friendly.” Pair with vanilla or almond extract.
Orange Snowballs
Softer, sweeter citrus vibe—smells like Christmas oranges. Incredible with a tiny pinch of cinnamon.
Lime Snowballs
Bold and zesty—fun if you want something different. Great in cookie boxes because they stand out.
Mixed Citrus Snowballs
Use half lemon zest and half orange zest for a balanced “citrus sunshine” flavor.
Variations (Easy Upgrades)
1) Cranberry Citrus Snowballs
Add 1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries. So festive and pretty.
2) White Chocolate Citrus Snowballs
Drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate, then dust lightly with powdered sugar again.
3) Coconut Citrus Snowballs
Replace nuts with 1/2 cup shredded coconut. Roll in powdered sugar mixed with a little coconut sugar for glow.
4) Nut-Free Snowballs
Skip nuts completely. The cookies still work—soft and buttery like citrus shortbread bites.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 5–7 days. Place parchment between layers.
Freezer (Best for Holidays)
Freeze baked cookies (unrolled or once rolled) for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature, then roll again in powdered sugar to freshen the “snow” coating.
Make-Ahead Dough
Dough can be refrigerated for 2–3 days. Let it sit 10 minutes at room temp before scooping.
Conclusion
These Citrus Snowball Cookies are the kind of holiday treat that checks every box: easy, pretty, classic, and always a crowd-pleaser—plus the citrus twist makes them feel fresh and special. With their buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture and bright lemon/orange aroma, they’re perfect for cookie trays, gift boxes, and cozy winter gatherings. Bake a batch once and you’ll understand why people reach for them first… and then come back for “just one more.”
