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); 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) (divided); 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 tender, powdery bites that practically melt in your mouth. This Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe brings a nostalgic twist without any nuts, making it perfect for everyone at your holiday table or an everyday sweet treat.

There is a white oval plate filled with two types of small round treats placed side by side. On the left side, there are about eight light beige cookies dusted with white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, powdery texture. On the right side, there are about eighteen small chocolate-covered round sweets with a smooth, dark brown chocolate coating and a beige center exposed on the top of each piece. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a soft blue background. 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 always adored snowball cookies for their delicate texture and sweet dusting of powdered sugar–but what makes this version shine is how accessible it is to nut-free households without losing any charm or flavor. You’ll find this recipe is surprisingly simple yet yields bakery-quality results that will impress.

Nut-Free and Allergy Friendly: Makes traditional snowball cookies safe for nut-sensitive eaters without sacrificing taste.
Buttery Soft Texture: The cookies melt in your mouth with a tender crumb that’s just right every time.
Easy to Make: Just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, great for both beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
Customizable With Chocolate Chips: Optional semi-sweet mini morsels add a little extra fun without overpowering the classic flavors.

On a white plate, there is a pile of round cookies covered in white powdered sugar with a soft, slightly rough texture, arranged in the center-left. Next to them on the right side of the plate, there are smooth, dark chocolate-covered balls with a tan peanut butter-like filling visible on top. The background has a white marbled texture with a corner of another plate holding dark brown brownies visible at the top left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses simple, classic ingredients that come together beautifully. The balance between butter and sugars provides the right sweetness and texture, while the optional chocolate morsels add a playful twist. Here’s a little about the stars of this recipe:

Flat lay of a stick of unsalted butter with a smooth, creamy texture, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white confectioners’ sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine granulated sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear pale amber pure vanilla extract, a neat pile of all-purpose flour with a soft powdery appearance, and a small heap of glossy semi-sweet mini chocolate morsels, all arranged symmetrically 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 the base for that rich, tender crumb you want in snowball cookies.
Confectioners’ sugar: Used both in the dough and as a coating, it delivers that signature snowy look and sweetness.
Granulated sugar: Adds subtle crunch and balances the sweetness gently.
Pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor, elevating the simple cookie dough.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure, ensuring your cookies hold their shape without spreading out too much.
Semi-sweet mini morsels (optional): I love these for a little chocolatey surprise in every bite, but they’re totally optional if you prefer classic.

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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

I like to keep the base recipe classic but sometimes mix things up with a few tweaks here and there. You can easily customize this Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe to fit your taste or dietary needs.

Variation: When I want a little color and texture, I swap mini morsels for cinnamon chips—it gives the cookies a cozy spice flavor perfect for colder months.
Gluten-Free Version: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate gluten sensitivities, though the texture might be slightly different.
Vanilla Boost: Using high-quality vanilla extract or even a splash of almond extract can deepen the flavor, but almond extract isn’t suitable if nut allergies are severe.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then grab a large bowl and an electric mixer—beat the softened butter with ¼ cup of the powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. This step is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture, so take your time ensuring the butter is nicely whipped.

Step 2: Incorporate the Flour

Add the all-purpose flour in three batches, beating gently after each addition until fully combined. This keeps the dough tender without overworking it. If you’re including mini morsels, fold those in now so they’re evenly distributed but don’t break up.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Using a rounded tablespoon, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. They won’t spread much during baking, so don’t worry about crowding them too much.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, just until the bottoms and edges are lightly golden. The cookies will still look like balls on the pan—perfect. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before the sugary finishing touch.

Step 5: The Classic Sugar Coating

Pour about ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll each cooled cookie gently in the sugar, tapping off any excess. Place back on the cooling rack and let them sit for an hour—then roll them again. This double coating gives snowball cookies their characteristic snowy appearance and that delicate sweetness with every bite.

Top Tip

I’ve made these nut-free snowball cookies dozens of times, and a few tricks really helped me get the perfect texture and look every time.

Soft Butter is Essential: If your butter is too cold, your dough won’t mix evenly—room temperature butter makes all the difference.
Don’t Overmix Flour: Beat just until incorporated to avoid tough cookies—this keeps them tender.
Double Dusting: The second roll in powdered sugar, after an hour of resting, seals the sugary coating so it doesn’t just rub off.
Use Mini Morsels: I prefer mini chocolate chips because they distribute better than larger chips and maintain the cookie’s shape.

How to Serve Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple with just the classic powdered sugar coating, but for festive occasions, a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder mixed with a pinch of powdered sugar adds a subtle warm touch I adore.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa—perfect for cozy afternoons. At holiday gatherings, I often serve them alongside spiced cider or mulled wine for an inviting combo people can’t resist.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the cookies on tiered plates, adding fresh rosemary sprigs or small pine cones for a rustic winter vibe. Wrapping a few cookies in tissue paper tied with twine makes darling little gifts, too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for about 5 days, though if they disappear faster, that’s totally normal around here!

Freezing

For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully—just place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature; they taste just as fresh as day one.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy the cookies warm, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This softens them up without melting the powdered sugar coating too much—just watch closely to avoid browning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are these truly nut-free even without nuts in the original recipe?

Yes! This Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe replaces traditional nut ingredients to ensure they're safe for people with nut allergies, without any loss of flavor or texture.

Can I use salted butter in this recipe?

It's best to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the recipe. If you use salted butter, omit adding any extra salt and be mindful of how it might affect the overall taste.

Why do the cookies not spread much during baking?

The dough has a higher ratio of flour and cold butter that's been creamed just right, which helps the cookies retain their ball shape rather than spreading out flat on the baking sheet.

Can I omit the chocolate chips in the Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! The mini semi-sweet chips are optional. The cookies taste fantastic without them, keeping the classic traditional flavor of snowball cookies intact.

Final Thoughts

These Nut-Free Snowball Cookies Recipe have become my go-to holiday treat and year-round favorite because they offer that nostalgic comfort without worrying about nut allergies. I can’t recommend them enough if you’re looking for a simple, sweet cookie that everyone can enjoy and that brings everyone back to cozy memories. Grab your mixer and get baking—you’ll love how easy and delightful these cookies are!