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Cherry Snowball Cookies are shown as a featured image, highlighting their festive appearance and powdered sugar coating.

Irresistible Cherry Snowball Cookies

These cherry snowball cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes, are tender, melt-in-your-mouth morsels. The key to their perfect texture lies in a strategic combination of butter and shortening and careful attention to moisture content. A double coating of confectioners' sugar ensures a snowy appearance and adds extra sweetness.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract optional
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, patted dry
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar, for coating plus more for extra coating

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • small mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • electric mixer or stand mixer
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • baking sheets
  • Parchment paper (optional)
  • paper towels
  • Cookie scoop or spoon
  • cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, shortening, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
  7. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
  8. Place the cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before rolling them in confectioners' sugar.
  11. Roll the cookies in confectioners' sugar again once they are completely cooled. This double coating ensures a truly snowy appearance.

Notes

For best results, use softened butter and shortening, not melted. Pat the chopped maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels before adding them to the dough to prevent excess moisture. If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling it into balls. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.