There’s something magical about the first snowfall of December. The world quiets, lights twinkle, and suddenly the kitchen feels like the coziest place to be. That’s when I love baking Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies. Buttery, sugar-dusted, and bright with citrus, they taste like Christmas itself wrapped in a bite-sized treat.
Table of Contents
What Are Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies?
Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies are buttery little rounds rolled in powdered sugar until they look like tiny snowballs. They’re close cousins of Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies but with a festive twist. The dried cranberries add tart bursts, while orange zest brings a citrus sparkle. Together with the rich, crumbly dough and snowy sugar, they feel both nostalgic and refreshing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love these cookies because they’re simple yet special. The prep is quick, and the dough chills while you finish wrapping gifts or making cocoa. They look stunning on a holiday tray and pack beautifully for gifting. Also, they freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter, softened for easy creaming
- Powdered sugar for the dough and for rolling
- Vanilla extract for warmth
- Salt for balance
- All-purpose flour as the base
- Dried cranberries, chopped for even bites
- Fresh orange zest for brightness
If you’re adventurous, try swapping cranberries with dried cherries, blueberries, or raisins. You can also replace orange zest with lemon or lime for a citrusy twist. Always choose good butter and fresh zest for the best flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Dough
Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Stir in vanilla and salt. Next, mix in flour and orange zest until combined. Finally, fold in cranberries. The dough should be soft but hold together.
Chill and Shape
Wrap the dough and chill for one hour. This step matters because it keeps the cookies round instead of spreading. After chilling, let the dough soften slightly at room temperature, then roll into one-inch balls.
Bake and Roll in Sugar
Bake the cookies at 350°F for about 15 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden. Roll them in powdered sugar while still warm, then again once cooled for that snowy finish.
Expert Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies
Chilling is key, so don’t skip it. When zesting your orange, avoid the bitter white pith. For the snowy look, roll cookies in powdered sugar twice. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze the dough for three months. Baked cookies also freeze beautifully.
Storage & Serving Ideas
At room temp, they last a week. In the freezer, up to two months. They’re perfect with tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. Arrange them on a holiday platter with Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies – a holiday favorite or gift them in tins tied with ribbon. They’re festive, pretty, and always appreciated.
Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Recipe Card
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Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies | Amazing Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 27 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bite-sized, buttery cookies with dried cranberries and fresh orange zest, rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar (for the dough)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating the baked cookies)
Instructions
1. Cream softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add vanilla and salt, then mix well.
3. Add flour and orange zest, and fold with a spatula.
4. Stir in chopped cranberries to form a smooth dough.
5. Wrap dough in cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm.
6. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. Let dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before shaping.
8. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. Bake for about 15 minutes until bottoms are slightly browned.
10. Let cookies cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar while still warm.
11. Once completely cooled, roll again in powdered sugar for extra whiteness.
12. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Do not skip chilling the dough to prevent spreading.
Use high-quality butter and dried cranberries.
Zest only the orange skin, not the white pith.
For variation, substitute cranberries with dried cherries, blueberries, or raisins.
You can also use lemon or lime zest instead of orange.
Roll cookies twice in powdered sugar for a bright white finish.
Dough can be frozen up to 3 months; thaw before baking.
Baked cookies can be stored at room temperature for 1 week or frozen up to 2 months.
Serve with tea, coffee, or hot cocoa.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 67
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 44 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
More Such Recipes
If you like these cookies, you’ll enjoy Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies. For another buttery treat, try Whipped Shortbread Cookies – buttery and delicate. And if you’re craving a showstopper, bake my White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake – a festive dessert.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. The baked cookies also freeze well, so you can always have a stash ready for guests.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling is important. It keeps the cookies from spreading and helps them keep their round snowball shape.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries release too much liquid, so stick with dried. If you want a similar tart punch, dried cherries are a great alternative.
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies bring holiday magic in the simplest way. They’re small, sweet, and giftable, with flavors that sparkle on any cookie tray. Try them this season, and share them with friends or family. You can even pin the recipe on Pinterest or share it on Facebook so more people can enjoy a taste of Christmas.