If you’re craving a cozy treat that instantly brings the flavors of autumn to your kitchen, look no further than this Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies Recipe. These little bites of buttery goodness are packed with warm pumpkin spice flavors and finished with a dusting of cinnamon-sugar that melts right on your tongue. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or just to satisfy a seasonal sweet tooth, these cookies are wonderfully simple, richly flavorful, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Get ready to fill your home with irresistible aromas and bake up a batch of fall’s favorite cookie delight!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping the ingredients straightforward is part of what makes this Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies Recipe so accessible, yet each one plays an important role in creating that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and warmth. From the richness of the butter to the gentle heat of the spices, every addition counts.
- Unsalted butter (2 cups, softened): Provides a rich, creamy base giving the cookies their tender crumb.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Adds sweetness and helps create the classic snowball texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Enhances flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- All-purpose flour (4 ½ cups): Forms the sturdy structure needed to hold the cookies together.
- Kosher salt (1 tsp): Balances sweetness and amplifies the spices.
- Ground cinnamon (3 tsp): Brings the signature pumpkin spice warmth and a little kick.
- Ground nutmeg (1 tsp): Adds subtle nuttiness and depth to the spice mix.
- Ground ginger (1 tsp): Offers a gentle zing that complements the other spices beautifully.
- Allspice (½ tsp): Rounds out the pumpkin spice blend with a hint of clove-like flavor.
- Optional: Finely chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips (½ cup): For added crunch or melty chocolate surprise, depending on your preference.
- Coating – Powdered sugar (2 cups): Creates the iconic snowball outer layer that’s sweet and delicate.
- Coating – Ground cinnamon (4 tbsp): Mixed with sugar to add an extra layer of spice and festive color.
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Workspace
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep step ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze and keeping your cookies true to form.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Powdered Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. This aeration step is crucial for creating the melt-in-your-mouth texture these cookies are famous for.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients
Mix the vanilla extract into your creamy butter base to infuse aroma. Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and a fragrant blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. If you’re adding nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in gently at this point, distributing them evenly without overworking the dough.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Roll your dough into uniform 1-inch balls for consistent baking. Place them spaced generously apart on your prepared baking sheets to avoid spreading together, preserving that prized round shape for every cookie.
Step 5: Bake Until Lightly Golden
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully for the bottoms to turn just a light golden shade; this is your cue that they are perfectly baked, tender inside, but sturdy enough to hold when coated.
Step 6: Coat for Classic Snowball Perfection
While the cookies are still warm (but not hot), roll them in your prepared cinnamon-sugar coating. Let them cool on a rack, then roll once more to achieve that thick, luxurious coating layer everyone loves. This double-dip not only looks gorgeous but adds an extra burst of sweetness and spice in every bite.
How to Serve Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine on their own but you can take presentation to the next level by garnishing with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a light dusting of powdered sugar before serving. You might also pair them with a tiny edible flower or a sliver of toasted pecan for a festive touch if serving at a party.
Side Dishes
Serve these snowball cookies alongside spiced latte, chai tea, or a hot cup of cocoa to build a cozy autumnal snack platter. Their buttery sweetness perfectly complements the warm spices of drinks like pumpkin spice lattes or mulled cider.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies in a rustic basket lined with a colorful napkin for casual gatherings or arrange them on a decorative plate dusted with more cinnamon sugar for an elegant touch. You can also place them in clear cellophane bags tied with twine to make charming homemade gifts that everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to preserve their tender texture and cinnamon-sugar coating. Avoid storing them in humid places, as the coating can absorb moisture and lose its delightful crunch.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking, arranged on a tray and wrapped tightly once solid, for up to three months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. Alternatively, freeze fully baked and coated cookies in airtight containers to enjoy anytime.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your pumpkin spice snowball cookies warm, gently reheat them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and warms up the cinnamon-sugar coating to perfection without melting it away.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, salted butter can be used but reduce or omit the additional kosher salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from tasting too salty. Unsalted butter offers more control over the salt level, which is ideal in this particular recipe.
What gives these cookies their “snowball” texture?
The combination of creamed butter and powdered sugar, along with a generous coating of powdered sugar and cinnamon, creates the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes snowball cookies so special and distinctive.
Can I substitute the pecans or chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, almonds, or even dried cranberries make fantastic alternatives that blend well with the pumpkin spice flavor. Just remember to keep any additions finely chopped to maintain the crumbly texture.
Do these cookies contain any pumpkin?
Interestingly, no actual pumpkin is used in this recipe. The “pumpkin spice” name refers to the warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice that mimic the classic pumpkin pie flavor we all love, delivered perfectly in cookie form.
How do I prevent the coating from melting too quickly?
Make sure cookies are just warm, not hot, when rolling in the cinnamon-sugar coating. Letting them cool completely after the first roll before applying the second helps the coating set nicely without becoming gooey or sticky.
Final Thoughts
There is something so comforting and joyful about baking the Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies Recipe, from mixing those fragrant spices into the dough to that magical moment you bite into one of these snowy, spiced delights. Whether it’s your first time or you’re adding it to your annual fall traditions, these cookies bring warmth and sweetness in every bite. I truly hope you enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do!
Print
Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes (excluding cooling and coating time)
- Yield: Approximately 100 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies are tender, buttery, and bursting with warm autumn spices. Coated in a cinnamon-sugar blend, they make a perfect seasonal treat for fall gatherings or cozy nights in. The recipe is simple to follow and yields about 100 delightful cookies, blending flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice into every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp allspice
- Optional: ½ cup finely chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips
Coating
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 2 cups powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating the base for your cookies.
- Add flavorings and dry ingredients: Mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, then gradually add 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon allspice. Stir until fully combined. If desired, fold in ½ cup finely chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden, indicating that they’re perfectly cooked but still tender inside.
- Coat the cookies: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the cinnamon-sugar coating made from 2 cups powdered sugar mixed with 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon. Allow the cookies to cool completely, then roll them again in the coating for a thicker, more flavorful crust.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans and consider adding mini chocolate chips or leaving the dough plain.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Rolling cookies twice in the coating ensures a deliciously thick layer of cinnamon sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh.
