Nutella Stuffed Snowball Cookies: An Irresistible Holiday Classic with a Delicious Twist

What could possibly improve upon the timeless appeal of classic Snowball Cookies? The answer lies in a simple yet sensational addition: a rich, creamy heart of Nutella! Presenting Nutella Stuffed Snowball Cookies, a truly elevated version of your favorite buttery shortbread, packed with nuts, and elegantly rolled in powdered sugar. But this isn’t just any snowball cookie; it’s a buttery, crumbly delight with an exquisite, cannot-get-enough center of yummy, Italian-born Nutella hazelnut spread.

These cherished cookies are known by a delightful assortment of names across various cultures, each hinting at their widespread popularity. You might hear them referred to as Greek Wedding Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, or Russian Tea Cakes. Some enthusiasts even affectionately call them “butterballs,” a fitting name that perfectly captures their intensely rich and wonderfully buttery essence. Regardless of their moniker, these cookies are a symbol of festive cheer and homemade comfort.

Our Nutella Stuffed Snowball Cookies are guaranteed to be an enormous hit at any holiday gathering, family celebration, or simply as a special treat for dessert. They have a magical way of disappearing almost instantly, especially when little hands (and big ones!) are around! A humorous but important note: learn from my experience and keep these delectable delights away from hungry pets. I once made the big mistake of leaving a batch unattended, and half of my last effort was enthusiastically gobbled up by my dogs! It seems their taste buds are just as refined as ours when it comes to these incredibly flavorful cookies!

Fully immerse yourself in the joyful holiday spirit with this Italian-inspired rendition of an all-time Christmas favorite. As you embark on the delightful journey of preparing these cookies, you’ll discover a tough challenge: resisting the urge to nibble directly on the Nutella while working! Its rich, chocolate-hazelnut aroma and taste are simply irresistible, making the baking process almost as enjoyable as eating the finished product. These cookies are truly magnificent – incredibly good and wonderfully addicting, in the best possible way!

Beyond their spectacular taste, these Nutella Stuffed Snowball Cookies are remarkably easy to make, a quality that elevates them to superstar status, especially during the hectic holiday season. Even better, they are absolutely fantastic for making ahead of time. This invaluable feature allows you to save tons of time that would otherwise be spent on last-minute holiday cooking and baking, freeing you up to enjoy other festive preparations, spend quality time with loved ones, or simply relax. Who doesn’t love that kind of holiday convenience?

The beauty of this recipe lies in its elegant simplicity. The process involves just a few straightforward steps: you start by placing a small, frozen blob of Nutella between two pieces of the rich, buttery dough. Then, you gently form them into perfect little balls, bake them to a tender, golden finish, and finally, roll them generously in a cloud of powdered sugar. The result? A perfectly crafted cookie that’s done and ready to delight! This ease of preparation ensures that even beginner bakers can achieve stunning, delicious results every time.

What Exactly Are Snowball Cookies?

Snowball Cookies are, hands down and without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite cookie varieties! These enchanting confections are celebrated globally under a variety of charming aliases, including Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, and frequently, simply “Butterballs,” a testament to their rich and decadent buttery core. Their distinctive appearance, delicately dusted with powdered sugar, makes them a quintessential holiday cookie, adding a touch of festive elegance to any dessert spread. Beyond their visual appeal, it’s their unique and comforting taste that truly captures hearts during the holiday season.

At their essence, Snowball Cookies are an ingenious combination of finely ground nuts (pecans being the most traditional choice, though walnuts and almonds are also popular), a generous amount of high-quality butter, all-purpose flour, and just a touch of granulated sugar. What makes these cookies truly special is that the shortbread itself is not overly sweet. Instead, it offers a wonderfully rich, almost savory profile, allowing the deep, toasted flavor of the nuts and the luxurious creaminess of the butter to take center stage. This exquisite balance of rich interior with the sweet, ethereal exterior of powdered sugar is nothing short of pure heaven.

The incorporation of finely ground nuts is key to both the crumbly, delicate texture and the signature toasty flavor that permeates these cookies. If you’ve never experimented with baking with ground nuts before, you are in for a delightful culinary revelation. To achieve the perfect consistency and flavor distribution, I highly recommend grinding your pecans (or your preferred nuts) in a food processor until they resemble a fine meal. This ensures each cookie possesses an even texture and a consistent, robust nutty flavor. An added bonus is the simplicity of the dough; it comes together beautifully in just one bowl, whether you’re using a hand mixer, a stand mixer, or even just a large whisk.

Once your dough is perfectly mixed, the fun begins as you shape it into those characteristically charming snowball forms. These delicate cookies require only a short stint in the oven, typically around 12 to 16 minutes, until their bottoms are kissed with a light golden hue. The magic truly unfolds the moment they are taken out of the oven: while still wonderfully warm, they are gently bathed in a generous cascade of powdered sugar. The warmth of the freshly baked cookies helps the powdered sugar melt and adhere, creating a lovely, velvety layer of sweetness that is simply irresistible. But the indulgence doesn’t stop there!

After they have completely cooled, these delightful little snowballs receive a second, even more lavish dip in powdered sugar. This double-coating method is the secret behind their iconic “snow-dusted” appearance and what elevates their flavor to an extraordinary level. It ensures a thick, sweet outer crust that perfectly contrasts the rich, buttery, nutty shortbread within, making them a truly unforgettable festive treat. This meticulous process makes them not only visually stunning but also enhances their melt-in-your-mouth texture and adds that extra burst of sweetness with every delightful bite.

Essential Tips for Perfect Nutella Stuffed Snowball Cookies:

• Consider Nut Allergies: When baking for a diverse group, always be mindful of potential nut allergies. If you know anyone in your circle has a nut allergy, it’s safest to omit nuts from the cookie dough entirely. A fantastic and equally delicious substitute for the ground nuts would be mini chocolate chips, offering a delightful chocolatey richness that everyone can safely enjoy.
• Choose Your Preferred Nuts: If nut allergies are not a concern, feel free to get creative with your nut selection! While pecans are a traditional choice and lend a wonderfully buttery flavor, walnuts or almonds are also excellent alternatives that contribute their own unique profiles to the shortbread. Experimentation is encouraged to discover your personal favorite!
• Proper Storage for Freshness: To ensure your Nutella Stuffed Snowball Cookies retain their exquisite freshness and delicate texture, it is paramount to store them in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for optimal enjoyment over several days. Proper sealing prevents them from drying out and preserves their soft, tender crumb.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, making them a perfect make-ahead option for busy periods or future cravings. When freezing baked cookies, layer them carefully with parchment paper or wax paper placed between each layer. This technique prevents them from sticking together and helps protect their delicate powdered sugar coating. Stored this way, they can remain delicious in the freezer for up to one month.
• Freezing Cookie Dough: For ultimate convenience, you can also prepare the cookie dough in advance and freeze it. Form the dough into logs or individual balls (prior to adding the Nutella filling), wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them into an airtight freezer bag. The dough will keep well in the freezer for up to one month, ready to be thawed and baked whenever a spontaneous cookie craving strikes.
• Re-Roll After Thawing: If you choose to freeze your cookies after they’ve been baked and initially coated in powdered sugar, remember a crucial step for serving perfection: once they have thawed completely, give them another generous roll in fresh powdered sugar. Freezing can cause some of the original sugar coating to be absorbed or become slightly damp, so a second dusting ensures they regain their pristine, snowy appearance and ideal sweetness.
• Keep Nutella Frozen During Assembly: A critical tip for success with the Nutella filling is to keep your prepared Nutella balls in the freezer until the very moment you are ready to stuff them into the dough. This ensures the Nutella remains firm and easy to handle, preventing it from melting or becoming messy as you wrap the cookie dough around it. Remove only one or two Nutella balls at a time from the freezer to maintain their hardened state, making the stuffing process much smoother and cleaner.

More Festive Christmas Cookie Recipes to Enjoy!

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate

Italian Ricotta Cookies

White Chocolate Drizzled Pistachio Dried Biscotti

Classic Snickerdoodles

 

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