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gluten-free snowball cookies in a bowl
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Meaningful Eats

Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies (Melt in Your Mouth!)

24 cookies
These gluten-free snowball cookies have a light, fluffy texture and rich, buttery flavor! They are undetectably gluten-free and just like the classic cookies you know and love.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened 226 grams (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar 130 grams (plus extra for dusting)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour 260 grams
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¾ cup walnuts or pecans finely chopped, 84 grams measured after chopping

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, (or use a large bowl with an electric hand mixer) add the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and salt. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • With the mixer running on low, slowly add the gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. Mix in the cornstarch followed by the chopped nuts. Mix for another minute or so until well-combined, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Cover the bowl of dough with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days). (If chilling for longer than a few hours, though, allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking for the right texture.)
  • Preheat the oven to 375F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  • Scoop the dough into Tablespoon-sized balls and roll between your palms to make round. Place on the prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the bottoms are beginning to turn golden brown.
  • Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes, then roll the slightly warm cookies in powdered sugar.
  • Place on a wire cooling rack. Let the cookies cool completely and then roll in powdered sugar a second time.
  • Repeat baking and rolling with the remaining dough. Enjoy!

Notes

RECIPE NOTES
  • The chilling time helps the cookie dough to hydrate so the dough is easier to work with and prevents the finished cookies from tasting grainy.
  • For best results, use a high quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour that contains xanthan gum. This is my favorite brand.
  • Use powdered sugar (aka confectioners sugar) instead of granulated white sugar. Powdered sugar hydrates more easily in gluten-free dough to create that classic light texture.
  • A little cornstarch added to the dry ingredients helps to lighten the crumb of the cookies.
  • Add almond extract for an extra delicious flavor!
  • Use pecans or walnuts - or any nut you like!

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.4mg