Name: Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 24 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened); 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup semi-sweet mini morsels (optional); 1/2 cup additional confectioners’ sugar

There’s something truly magical about these melt-in-your-mouth treats — the perfect buttery texture paired with a sweet dusting of sugar. This Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe is a classic that brings cozy vibes to any kitchen, especially when you want delightful, allergy-friendly bites everyone can enjoy.

A white plate holds two types of small treats arranged side by side. On the left, there are about ten round, light beige cookies dusted heavily with white powdered sugar, giving them a soft and powdered texture. On the right, there are roughly the same number of small round peanut butter balls coated in smooth dark chocolate with small beige peanut butter tops visible, creating a two-tone look of dark brown and light tan. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these Nut-Free Snowball Cookies more times than I can count, and they never disappoint. They’re tender and buttery, with a lovely sugar coating that feels special but stays simple. Plus, no nuts means you can bake these with peace of mind for friends or family with allergies.

Allergy-Friendly: Completely nut-free, perfect for sensitive gatherings without missing out on that classic snowball cookie taste.
Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry — no tricky or hard-to-find items here.
Perfect Texture: These cookies hold their shape with a soft, tender crumb that just melts on your tongue.
Versatile Sweetness: The light layer of powdered sugar adds sweetness without overpowering, making these cookies a balanced treat.

The image shows a bright yellow plate on a white marbled surface, filled with two types of cookies. On the left side of the plate, there is a pile of about a dozen round cookies covered in white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, snowy texture. To the right of these, there are smaller dark brown chocolate-coated balls with a smooth surface and light tan centers visible on top. The contrast between the white powdered cookies and the dark chocolate balls creates a visually appealing arrangement. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe plays an important role to create the tender, buttery cookies you’ll love. Here’s a quick peek at the essentials and why I trust them every time I bake.

Flat lay of a stick of unsalted butter with a smooth, creamy surface, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white confectioners’ sugar, another small white ceramic bowl containing granulated white sugar with sparkling crystals, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden amber pure vanilla extract, a neat pile of all-purpose flour with a soft powdery texture, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy semi-sweet mini chocolate morsels, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is your best friend here — it adds richness and a tender crumb. Salted butter can throw off the balance, so stick to unsalted.
Confectioners’ Sugar: This adds sweetness and ensures your cookies are wonderfully powdered without the graininess of regular sugar.
Granulated Sugar: A touch adds a subtle crunch and balances flavor without overpowering the cookie’s softness.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla brings warmth and depth — don’t skip it or use imitation for best results.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure behind the scenes; it helps your cookies hold their classic snowball shape without spreading.
Semi-Sweet Mini Morsels (optional): I love adding these for little bursts of chocolate, but leaving them out keeps it simple and kid-friendly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe is how customizable it can be. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it depending on the occasion or what I have on hand — and really, you should feel free to do the same.

Variation: For a little twist, I sometimes roll the finished cookies in cinnamon sugar instead of plain powdered sugar — it adds such a cozy, spicy note that everyone raves about.
Dietary swaps: Want your cookies dairy-free? Try a high-quality vegan butter substitute; I’ve had success keeping them just as tender.
Mix-ins: Feel like mixing it up? Toss in mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or even tiny pieces of dried apricot; it’s your cookie adventure.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F — that way it’s ready right when your dough is. Then, in a large bowl, grab your electric mixer and beat the softened butter, ¼ cup of the confectioners’ sugar, the granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until it’s creamy and smooth, roughly 2 minutes. This step really sets up your cookie’s texture — so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Incorporate the Flour

Next, add your all-purpose flour in about three batches, beating just until each addition is fully mixed in. You want to avoid overmixing so your cookies stay tender, not tough. If you’re adding mini morsels, gently stir them in now by hand — chocolate just makes these snowballs a little more fun.

Step 3: Shape and Bake

Now for the fun part — scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place them on ungreased baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. This recipe doesn’t spread much while baking, so spacing is less critical but still good to avoid sticking. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the bottoms and edges turn just a light golden brown. The cookies will maintain their ball shape — that’s exactly what you want here.

Step 4: Cool and Sugar Coat

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. When cool, roll each cookie in about ½ cup of powdered sugar and lightly tap off any excess. Once coated, let them rest for about an hour, then give each one another quick roll in powdered sugar for that signature snowball look and extra sweetness.

Top Tip

From countless batches and sharing these cookies with friends, I’ve learned a few key tricks to bringing out their best qualities every time.

Don’t Overmix Flour: Mixing the flour just until incorporated keeps your snowballs tender and crumbly — giving that perfect “melt-in-your-mouth” effect.
Cool Completely Before Sugar Rolling: If the cookies are still warm, the powdered sugar can melt into a sticky mess. Patience pays off!
Use a Light Hand with Shaping: Just roll gently — packing them too tight can make them dense, and too loose means they might crack.
Double Dusting is Key: That second roll in powdered sugar after the cookies rest really gives them that snow-dusted magic everyone loves.

How to Serve Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic — just plain powdered sugar tells the story best. But for festive occasions, I love lightly dusting with a pinch of cinnamon or sometimes adding a few mini edible silver balls for sparkle. It’s simple, elegant, and adds a bit of personality without overwhelming the cookie.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For holiday gatherings, I like serving them alongside a fruit platter or a light whipped cream dip — it’s all about balancing the sweetness and creating little moments of indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve brought these cookies to parties, stacking them in pretty glass jars or arranging them on a tiered dessert stand always gets compliments. Wrapping small batches in parchment paper tied with a ribbon makes for a thoughtful homemade gift, especially during the holidays.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your snowball cookies are fully cooled and coated, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I keep mine on the countertop away from direct sunlight, and they stay fresh and tender for up to five days — perfect for making ahead for a party or weekend treat.

Freezing

I often freeze uncooked dough balls separated on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag. When I want fresh cookies, I just bake from the frozen dough adding a couple minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze baked cookies wrapped well — they thaw beautifully without losing texture.

Reheating

Reheat leftover cookies briefly in a warm oven (about 300°F for 5 minutes) or microwave for 10 seconds if you want them soft again. Avoid overheating or they’ll dry out. This little trick works wonders when you forget to bake fresh!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are these cookies really nut-free?

Yes! This Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe uses no nuts at all, making it safe for those with nut allergies. Just be sure to check the labels on ingredients like chocolate chips, as some brands might be processed in facilities with nuts.

Can I make this cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors meld and can make shaping the cookies easier. Just bring dough back to room temperature before rolling.

Why don’t these cookies spread much during baking?

Great question! This recipe uses a higher ratio of flour to fat and less liquid, which gives the dough structure so it holds shape and doesn’t flatten out. That’s part of what makes them look like snowballs and gives them the unique texture.

Can I substitute the butter for a dairy-free option?

Yes, you can swap in a quality vegan butter or margarine to make these cookies dairy-free. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious. Just ensure your substitute is spreadable at room temperature to blend well.

Final Thoughts

This Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart — it’s the kind of cookie that brings warm memories to the surface, simple yet so comforting. Whether you’re baking for allergy-friendly guests or just craving that perfect, buttery snowball, I promise once you try these, they’ll become a favorite easy go-to. So grab your mixer, preheat that oven, and let’s spread some cozy cookie joy together!