After months of summertime weather in October and November here in Italy the rain has started, so what to do?  Bake cookies of course,  I have been busy making and baking cookies this weekend preparing for Christmas and Homemade Cookie gifts for friends and family.  I like to choose cookies to make  that I know will freeze really well and these Hazelnut Snowball Cookies certainly do.
Hazelnut Snowball Cookies
Hazelnut Snowball Cookies are based on a cookie my mother used to bake.  I adjusted the recipe a bit so that they would hold up a bit better instead of flattening out.  It worked perfectly.
A quick and easy shortbread based dough with ground hazelnuts. Â I rolled them in powdered sugar before baking and then I sprinkled them again with powdered sugar after they cooled. Â The Italian decided some should be sprinkled with cocoa after he had eaten 4. Â Good idea!
I have to tell you these Hazelnut Snowball Cookies never made it to the freezer, they were gone in minutes. Â I guess that means I will just have to make more. Â Enjoy!
Hazelnut Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup ground hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- Powdered sugar and or unsweetened cocoa for rolling and sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, salt and ground hazelnuts, add butter and vanilla. Start to bring together with a fork, then move to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead to form a dough. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours.
- Pre-heat oven to 350°. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough into small balls (a little smaller than golf ball size) roll in powdered sugar and place on cookie sheets. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar or cocoa. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Beverly says
These look so yummy. I think we made something like this when I was young, but they had walnuts in them. Pinning these.
Bev
Rosemary says
Hi Beverly, thanks, I think my Mom used walnuts too, although my family prefer hazelnuts. Thanks for pinning. Have a great day.
Allison says
I love these cookies – I’ve made versions of my own at Christmas. I could easily see these ending up in the rotation this year. Maybe if I make them we won’t get much actual snow outside ha. I also like the cocoa finish – haven’t seen that before.
Rosemary says
Hi Allison, thanks, we love these cookies, my husband prefers cocoa to powdered sugar always. 🙂
Ann says
I agree with Nicole. They look yummy. Definitely will be making these. Thanks for another great recipe.
Rosemary says
Thanks Ann, hope you enjoy them!
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
Oooh, I love the idea of a cookie ball! These look so delicious I can almost smell them!
Rosemary says
Thanks Nicole, they were delicious. Have a great week.