Tasty Orange Snowball Cookies

The holidays are upon us once again, and for me that means getting ready for cookie baking season. It’s one of my favorite activities to do with the kids. My kitchen turns into a makeshift bakery as I start taking orders from near and far. I end up with a list for chocolate chips, cornstarch, peanut butter, and more.

But no matter how busy I get, I always make time for my favorite, the orange snowball cookies. 

This citrus infused mini treat may not be the most traditional holiday cookie, but it should be. It can best be described as a warmer version of an orange creamsicle.

Simple and wholesome ingredients like orange juice, powdered sugar, flour, and butter combine to make a moist, yet delicate delightfully chewy treat that’s packed with flavor. 

They make a great little gift for the neighbors or to bring to a holiday party.

So go pick a few juicy oranges and let’s get started with these mouthwatering cookies.

Why You’ll Love Orange Snowball Cookies

• Unique (I bet nobody else will have them at the holiday cookie exchange)
• This recipe makes a lot of cookies
• Easy to make
• Sophisticated and Delicate (great for an adult crowd)
• Flavorful and delicious

Tips

• To save time, make the dough ahead of time. If making them the next day you can just pop them in the fridge. The dough can also be frozen for 3 months.
• Have the kids help. No matter what the age, they’ll usually jump at the chance to bake. It’s a great way to spend time, teach them, and the process goes much quicker!
• I cannot stress enough the importance of parchment or wax paper. Use it to keep the cookies from sticking before baking, and to avoid sticky layers when putting them in containers.

Ingredients

• butter
• flour
• powdered sugar
• fresh squeezed orange juice
• shredded orange peels
• white sugar (granulated)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

How To Make Orange Snowball Cookies

You will be pleasantly surprised at just how easy these cookies were to put together. Let’s get started.

As always, gather all your ingredients. Then preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Grab a large mixing bowl and add the softened butter, and beat it for about 30 seconds. Slowly mix in the vanilla extract, orange juice, powdered sugar, flower, and 1 teaspoon of the orange peel. Use a spoon if the flour is not mixing properly.

Once the mix is doughy, shape it into 1 inch balls, and place them into an ungreased cookie baking tray.

Pop them in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the bottoms are a golden brown.

Now, as the cookies are baking, it’s time to make our coating. Place the white sugar and the rest of the orange peels into a food processor or blender. Process until they’re mixed. You should have a nice, pale orange color.

Take the mix and spread it on a baking sheet.

When the cookies are warm, roll them in the sugar mix.

Let the cookies cool.

If you want to add the glitter, add it while making the dough.

Variations

• Blood Orange juice is often used for a deeper color and sweeter flavor.
• For a full on citrus flavor, try your snowball cookies orange and lemon.
• Sprinkle coconut on top along with, or instead of powdered sugar.
• Add nuts or chocolate chips.
• Add some Anise to the mix to spice them up Italian style.

Serving Suggestions

The usual milk and coffee are always great, but try one of these drinks to kick things up a notch. There are also some other desserts that do a great job of bringing out the full flavor of the orange snowball cookies.

• Pina colada Mocktail
• Lychee Slushy
• Thick Italian Hot Chocolate
• Star Anise Milk
• Chai Tea
• Dark Chocolate Mousse
• Candied Pecans

Substitutions

• Feel free to replace the white flour with almond or coconut flour. The taste may be a bit different, but still delicious, and the texture will be the same.
• Fresh orange juice can be switched out for store bought. Just make sure it’s good quality, and has no pulp.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Blender/Food processor
• Grater (for orange peels)
• Cookie sheets
• Measuring spoons

FAQs

1. What if my snowball dough is dry and not coming together?

I always blamed myself when this happens, but it’s a common problem. It’s ok to add some moisture if your dough is not sticking. In this case, add some more butter or applesauce.

2. How long will orange snowball cookies last?

Don’t expect them to last long after you put them out, but in case they do, you can expect them to stay fresh, at room temperature for about a week. Just make sure you put them in an airtight container.

3. Can I freeze the orange snowballs?

Absolutely yes! If properly frozen in freezer bags, the cookies will last up to 6 months. I would suggest placing them on a freezer safe tray, on top of parchment paper and placing them in the freezer for about an hour. Once they’re solid, put them into freezer bags. That way, they won’t stick.