Holly Jolly Snowballs are an adapted version of my Russian tea cookies. I’ve made these powdery confections a couple of times. Every time I prepared this recipe I change up the flavor combination; I’ve done chocolate chip, lemon poppy seed, and many more. Each time they have gone over extremely well.

These powdery little cookies may be called Russian tea cookies, but the Russian connection is somewhat a mystery. Most people believe the cookies to have eastern European origins but nothing distinctively Russian. During Christmas you can find these throughout the United States. Another common version of the cookies is Mexican wedding cookies. The main difference between traditional recipes and mine is the omission of nuts in the recipe and the addition of cream cheese for a slight tang in the flavor.

Wherever you decide the recipe hails from, they are beyond delicious and fun to make. It’s yet another chance to put your kiddos to work. Have them mix in the sprinkles before baking and roll the dough. Once you do the initial coating of powdered sugar, the kids can get involved in the messy fun of coating cookies. I actually rolled my cookies three separate times in the powdered sugar to get the extra powdery snowball effect. You can even have a recipe of the base prepared and ready in the fridge to create on the fly.

It is our hope that this cookie recipe brings your family a little fun and holiday cheer this year. Just be sure to eat the cookies somewhere that a little powdered sugar falling isn’t going to cause a meltdown.

Holly Jolly Snowballs

6 TBS Unsalted Butter, softened
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1 Egg Yolk
2 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 TSP Vanilla Paste
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 TSP Baking Powder
1/3 Cup Christmas Sprinkles
Powdered Sugar, for coating

Procedure:

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla. Mix until completely combined.
Incorporate the flour and mix until it comes together.
Pour in the sprinkles and mix until fully incorporated.
Place the dough in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350F
Use a small cookie scoop and portion out the dough. Roll them into little balls and place on a lined baking sheet 1 inch apart.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Allow the cookie balls to slightly, while still warm roll each in the powdered sugar and place on a fresh sheet of parchment.

Holly Jolly Snowballs Card