These sweetened condensed milk snowball cookies, with their soft, buttery texture and snowy appearance, are the perfect addition to your holiday season baking.
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, these Christmas cookies will melt in your mouth and bring festive joy to every bite.
The 3-ingredient sweetened condensed milk cookies have been a reader favorite on our blog, especially during the holiday season. They're the easiest cookies to make, and they'll surely impress at any holiday party or cookie exchange.
Inspired by their popularity last year, I decided to use that base recipe to create more festive treats, starting with these classic snowball cookies, also known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes, with a rich, buttery twist.
If you're building your entire collection of Christmas recipes, these snowy delights are a must-try!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
- Unsalted Butter: Use chilled and cubed unsalted butter for a rich, buttery flavor. If using salted butter, skip the pinch of salt in the recipe.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This adds sweet flavor and moisture, eliminating the need for additional sugar or eggs. Make sure to use sweetened
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar after baking gives them their signature snowy appearance and extra sweetness. I'm sorry I forgot to add it to the ingredients image above.
- Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a lovely crunch. Toast the nuts beforehand for enhanced flavor, but this step is optional.
Step by Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a cookie sheet.
In a large mixing bowl, combine softened unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt (image 1). Rub the mixture together with your fingertips until it resembles a wet sand-like texture.
Pour in the sweetened condensed milk (image 2) and use your hands to mix until a soft dough forms, gently bringing it together as you work.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough (using a measuring spoon or cookie scoop) and roll it into smooth, even-sized balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving slight space between each ball. (image 3)
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. (image 4)
Let the cookies cool for a few minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm (image 5).
Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. Roll them in powdered sugar again for a thicker coating, if desired (image 6).
These sweetened condensed milk snowball cookies are a versatile option—simple enough for those who prefer nut-free cookies without add-ons while still festive and delicious for any occasion.
Storage Instructions:
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Use cellophane bags or decorative tins to store them for gifting.
- Refrigeration: While not necessary, you can refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Freezing: To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and dust with powdered sugar again, if needed, before serving.
Best Tips
- Do not use softened butter. The butter should be chilled and cubed to rub into the flour
- Mix the dough just until it comes together. Over kneading can result in tough cookies instead of a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while warm for the first coat and again; the second time for a beautiful snowy finish.
- Use vanilla extract for a classic flavor or almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Mix in chopped nuts (like walnuts, pecans, or almonds) or mini chocolate chips for added crunch and flavor.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for a festive holiday flavor.
- Use a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop to ensure even-sized cookies that bake uniformly.
- The tops of the cookies should remain pale, and only the bottoms should be lightly golden—don’t overbake.
- These cookies freeze beautifully, making them a great choice for cookie exchanges or preparing holiday treat in advance.
- These cookies also make a great gift! Pack them in decorative tins or cellophane bags with festive bows for a sweet treat at cookie exchanges or holiday parties.
Follow these tips to make the best sweetened condensed milk snowballs to be added to your cookie platter this year!!
In fact Make a mound of cookie dough and enjoy baking with friends and family this festive season!
Creative Variations and Add-ins
- Spiced Snowball Cookies:
Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice for a warm, festive flavor. - Chocolate Snowballs:
Mix in 1/4 cup of cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips for a rich chocolatey twist. - Nut-Free Option:
Skip the nuts and try adding rolled oats or mini chocolate chips. Top with coarse sea salt for a sweet-salty finish. - Coconut Snowball Cookies:
Add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the dough and roll the cookies in coconut flakes for a tropical twist. - Coffee-Infused Snowballs:
Stir in instant coffee granules or brewed coffee for a subtle mocha flavor. - Lemon or Orange Snowballs:
Add citrus zest to the dough for a fresh, tangy flavor. Drizzle with citrus glaze for extra zing. - Pistachio Snowball Cookies:
Swap walnuts or pecans for pistachios for a nutty crunch. Add a touch of rosewater for extra flavor. - Berry Snowball Cookies:
Mix in dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots for a fruity sweetness.
These simple variations let you customize your snowball cookies to suit your taste or theme!
Let me know if you would like me to make any of these variations in the future. I’m open to your suggestions and would love to try new ideas!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Coating the cookies twice ensures they get an even, thick layer of powdered sugar, giving them their signature snowy appearance and extra sweetness.
This could happen if you’ve overmeasured the flour or overmixed the dough. Be sure to measure flour properly and mix only until the dough comes together.
It’s best to use unsalted butter for the richest flavor. If you only have salted butter, reduce or omit the pinch of salt in the recipe.
Yes, these cookies are freezer-friendly! To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and dust with powdered sugar again, if desired.
Related Recipes
- 3 ingredients Condensed Milk Cookies
- Mexican Polvorones Cookies
- Pecan Fingers Cookies
- Tiramisu Snowball Cookies
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Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113 gms) Butter cubed and chilled1
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp Flour
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1/2 cup Icing Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a cookie sheet and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled, cubed unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. Rub the mixture together with your fingertips until it resembles a wet sand-like texture.
- Pour in the sweetened condensed milk. Using your hands, gently mix the dough until it comes together. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops of the cookies should remain pale.
- Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes. While still warm, roll them in powdered sugar for the first coating. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies have cooled fully, roll them in powdered sugar again for a thick, snowy finish.
Video
Notes
- Butter: Use chilled butter for the best texture. Softened butter can make the dough greasy and the cookies less tender.
- Mixing: Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies.
- Coating: Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice ensures a beautiful, snowy finish and adds extra sweetness.
- Flavor Variations: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for festive flavor. You can also mix in chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips.
- Baking Tip: The tops of the cookies should remain pale; only the bottoms should turn lightly golden. Avoid overbaking.
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