Cherry Pistachio Snowballs Recipe
If there’s one cookie that knows how to make a dazzling entrance, it’s Cherry Pistachio Snowballs. Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, and dusted with a flurry of powdered sugar, these cookies are studded with vibrant pops of maraschino cherries and the rich crunch of pistachios. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or looking for a sweet treat to brighten up an ordinary day, this recipe invites you to embrace a symphony of color, crunch, and classic cookie cheer. Trust me, you’ll want these little snowballs in your cookie jar!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Cherry Pistachio Snowballs lies in their simplicity — every ingredient has a starring role, from the rich butter to the jewel-like cherries and earthy pistachios. Gather these few basics and watch them transform into something spectacular!
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): This is the secret to that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll crave in every bite.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup, plus 1 cup for rolling): Adds sweetness and coats each snowball with a cloud-like finish that’s just irresistible.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A splash brings warmth and enhances all the flavors beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The canvas for our cookies, giving them just the right amount of structure while staying soft.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch brings balance and draws out the other flavors.
- Finely chopped pistachios (3/4 cup): These bright green nuts add a rich, nutty crunch and striking color.
- Finely chopped maraschino cherries (3/4 cup, well-drained and patted dry): Adds pops of color and that iconic sweet cherry flavor — be sure to dry them well!
How to Make Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Get started by prepping your maraschino cherries: drain them thoroughly and pat them completely dry with paper towels. This essential step keeps the dough from becoming too wet, ensuring each Cherry Pistachio Snowball bakes up with perfect texture. Give your pistachios a fine chop, so each bite has a noticeable crunch but won’t overwhelm the dough.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer and forms the foundation of that classic tender cookie crumb. Blend in the vanilla extract — your kitchen will already start to smell tempting!
Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Add the all-purpose flour and salt. At this point, mix just until the dough comes together; avoid over-mixing so your Cherry Pistachio Snowballs stay tender. The dough will look slightly dry, but trust the process — it will hold together beautifully once you add the mix-ins.
Step 4: Fold in Pistachios and Cherries
Now for the best part: fold in the finely chopped pistachios and those pat-dried cherries. Every scoop will twinkle with festive red and green! Gently mix just until everything is evenly distributed. If the dough feels a bit crumbly, use your hands to press it together — that’s perfectly normal for this cookie.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie and gently roll into balls with your hands. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each. Bake in your preheated 350°F oven for 12 to 14 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden. Your kitchen will smell like absolute heaven.
Step 6: Powder and Cool
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then roll each warm cookie generously in powdered sugar. This first coating sticks best while the cookies are slightly warm. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar again for that unmistakable snowball look. Now, try to resist sneaking one before serving!
How to Serve Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
Garnishes
To make your Cherry Pistachio Snowballs even prettier, add a light sifting of extra powdered sugar just before serving for an extra snowy effect. For a special occasion, sprinkle a few extra chopped pistachios or tiny cherry pieces on your serving platter — it’s those finishing touches that make the whole arrangement pop.
Side Dishes
Cherry Pistachio Snowballs are a delightful stand-alone treat, but they absolutely shine alongside a steaming cup of cocoa, a rich espresso, or even an afternoon tea spread. For holiday gatherings, serve them with a platter of other classic cookies like biscotti or gingerbread for crowd-pleasing variety.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack Cherry Pistachio Snowballs in a simple glass jar and tie it with a ribbon — instant homemade gift! If you’re setting up a dessert table, arrange them in pyramid stacks on a cake stand or display them in cupcake liners for dainty, bakery-worthy individual serves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra Cherry Pistachio Snowballs fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tender for up to a week, and the flavor only gets better as the cherries and pistachios mingle into the buttery crumb.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later (or make them well ahead for the holidays), these cookies freeze beautifully. Layer cooled cookies between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To refresh the texture and flavor, you can let your Cherry Pistachio Snowballs thaw completely, then give them a quick roll in powdered sugar just before serving. There’s no need to bake them again — they’re perfect as-is right out of the freezer once thawed!
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
It’s best to stick with maraschino cherries because they’re sweeter, vividly colored, and don’t release as much juice as fresh cherries would. If you do try fresh, make sure they’re very finely chopped and thoroughly dried to avoid a soggy dough.
Are Cherry Pistachio Snowballs gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so they’re not gluten-free by default. However, you can experiment with your favorite gluten-free flour blend — just make sure it’s a cup-for-cup replacement for best results.
What’s the easiest way to chop pistachios and cherries?
For pistachios, a quick pulse in a food processor works wonders, but take care not to process them too finely. For the cherries, give them a fine chop with a sharp knife, and don’t forget to pat them dry with paper towel for the best cookie texture.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and keep it chilled (well covered) in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough soften slightly at room temperature before forming and baking your Cherry Pistachio Snowballs.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
If you notice your snowballs are spreading more than you’d like, it’s likely the butter was too soft or the cherries weren’t drained enough. Chill the shaped dough balls in the fridge for 20 minutes before baking to help hold their shape beautifully.
Final Thoughts
It’s amazing how a handful of simple ingredients can create such joyous little treats. Cherry Pistachio Snowballs are guaranteed to add sparkle to any celebration, or simply bring a touch of magic to your afternoon coffee break. Give this recipe a try — you might find it becomes your newest cookie tradition!
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Cherry Pistachio Snowballs Recipe
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Pistachio Snowballs are delightful, buttery cookies filled with chopped pistachios and maraschino cherries, coated in a dusting of powdered sugar. These festive treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a sweet, nutty cookie.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pistachios
- 3/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, well-drained and patted dry
- 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and salt, stirring until just combined.
- Incorporate Nuts and Cherries: Fold in the pistachios and cherries.
- Form Cookies: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until lightly golden on the bottoms.
- Finish: Cool for 5 minutes, then roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar. Let cool completely and roll in powdered sugar again before serving.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are thoroughly dried to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
- These cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
