Irresistible Cherry Pistachio Snowballs: Your Ultimate Guide to Festive Holiday Cookies
Cherry Pistachio Snowballs are a delightful holiday treat, offering a tender, melt-in-your-mouth butter cookie experience infused with the vibrant flavors of sweet maraschino cherries and crunchy, toasted pistachios. These festive cookies are then generously rolled in a sparkling combination of confectioner’s sugar and red sanding sugar, giving them an enchanting, snow-dusted appearance that’s perfect for any seasonal celebration.
These Cherry Pistachio Snowballs present a charming and flavorful twist on the classic Snowball Cookies, a beloved staple during the holiday season. The rich, buttery dough is delicately flavored with a hint of almond extract, creating a harmonious base for the delightful additions of finely chopped maraschino cherries and perfectly toasted pistachios. The result is a truly tender, crumbly cookie with an irresistible texture and a gorgeous, sparkly red and white sugar coating that catches the light beautifully. They are undoubtedly the perfect addition to any Holiday cookie tray, adding a splash of festive color and an exquisite flavor profile that will impress all your guests.
There’s something inherently comforting and celebratory about snowball cookies, often known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes. That wonderfully crumbly, buttery texture simply begs for creative interpretations and new flavor combinations. I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with this classic, and a few years ago, my Cardamom Walnut Snowball recipe quickly became a personal favorite, cherished for its unique spice blend. What makes these cookies, including these Cherry Pistachio Snowballs, so appealing is their inherent ease of preparation and their tendency to improve in flavor as they sit, allowing the ingredients to meld beautifully. They are truly a Christmas cookie “lay-up” – a straightforward yet impressive recipe that leaves you with more time and energy for those higher-maintenance bakes, like intricate Homemade Speculoos Cookies. These snowballs are not just delicious; they are a stress-free way to bring joy and homemade charm to your holiday baking, whether for a festive gathering or a thoughtful gift.
Table of Contents
- Key Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
- Smart Substitutions for Your Snowball Cookies
- Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
- Cherry Pistachio Snowballs Recipe
- Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
Crafting the perfect Cherry Pistachio Snowballs starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Each component is carefully selected to ensure a tender crumb, rich flavor, and a beautifully festive appearance. Using quality ingredients will elevate your baking from good to extraordinary.
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is the backbone of these tender butter cookies. It contains just the right amount of gluten to create a cookie that is soft, yet holds its shape beautifully without becoming tough or overly crumbly before you even take a bite. As you know from my Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies, I’m a big proponent of a wonderfully chewy and tender cookie, and all-purpose flour delivers that ideal texture here, ensuring each snowball is a delight.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is my unwavering recommendation for all cookie baking, including these delightful snowballs. Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the salt content in your recipe, allowing you to perfectly balance the flavors. Different brands of salted butter vary greatly in their sodium levels, which can make it challenging to achieve consistent results. Ensure your butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming with the sugar, creating that light and fluffy base essential for a truly tender cookie that melts in your mouth.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla Extract is far more than just a flavor enhancer; it’s a foundational element in almost any sweet baked good. It not only contributes its own warm, sweet, and aromatic notes but also amplifies and marries the flavors of all the other ingredients around it. In this recipe, it beautifully complements the almond extract, cherries, and pistachios, bringing a subtle depth that makes the overall taste more complex and satisfying. Opt for a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best results.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar (also known as confectioner’s sugar) serves a crucial dual purpose in this recipe. When incorporated into the dough, its fine texture contributes to the signature crumbly and incredibly tender mouthfeel that defines a classic snowball cookie. For the iconic coating, it adds a lovely layer of sweetness and plays a vital role in keeping the cookies moist, allowing them to remain fresh and delicious during longer storage. The snowy white exterior also provides a perfect contrast for the red sanding sugar.
- Maraschino Cherries: These bright red maraschino cherries are preserved in a sweet sugar syrup and typically dyed a vibrant red, making them incredibly festive and visually appealing for holiday treats. While standard maraschino cherries offer that classic holiday color and sweetness, you can also explore more luxury brands of maraschino cherries. These often boast a richer, more natural cherry flavor and may contain less or no artificial coloring, offering a more sophisticated taste. Remember to chop them finely and, most importantly, pat them very dry to prevent excess moisture from compromising the cookie dough’s texture.
- Almond Extract: Almond extract is a powerhouse of flavor, bringing a distinctive, slightly sweet, and nutty aroma that is surprisingly versatile. In these snowballs, its unique profile perfectly complements both the sweet maraschino cherries and the earthy pistachios, creating a harmonious and truly unique taste profile that feels special and seasonal. I particularly love this almond extract brand for its pure and potent flavor. Because it’s so concentrated, a little goes a long way, so measure carefully to avoid overpowering the other delicate flavors.
- Pistachios: For baking, I always recommend using shelled, unsalted pistachios. This allows you to control the overall saltiness of your cookies, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Toasting the pistachios before chopping them is a crucial step that significantly enhances their nutty depth and aroma. The heat brings out their essential oils, intensifying their natural sweetness and complexity. Chopping them into small, consistent pieces ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, providing a satisfying and delightful crunch in every single bite of your snowballs.
- Red Sanding Sugar: Red sanding sugar is a fantastic decorative ingredient for adding a festive touch and a bit of sparkle. Its crystals are slightly larger than granulated sugar, giving a wonderful, visible shimmer and a subtle textural contrast to the soft powdered sugar exterior of the cookies. It’s ideal for decorating holiday cookies, topping bars, and even enhancing other seasonal treats like brownies, instantly elevating their appearance and making them pop on any dessert platter.
Smart Substitutions for Your Snowball Cookies
While the classic Cherry Pistachio Snowball recipe is undeniably delicious and balanced, sometimes you need to make adjustments based on dietary needs, ingredient availability, or simply personal preference. Here are some thoughtful substitutions that won’t compromise the quality or festive spirit of your cookies:
- Almond Extract Alternatives: Not everyone is a fan of almond extract’s distinctive flavor, and that’s perfectly fine! If you prefer a different profile or have an allergy, you have several excellent options. You could opt for an equal amount of pure vanilla extract for a more classic, comforting, and universally loved taste. Alternatively, consider a complementary extract like orange or lemon for a brighter, citrusy note that would pair beautifully with both the sweetness of the cherries and the nuttiness of the pistachios. A pure cherry extract could also be used to intensify the cherry flavor, creating a more singular and potent fruit profile.
- Making Them Gluten-Free: These delightful snowball cookies can be easily adapted to be gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy them. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. My personal preference is Cup4Cup gluten-free flour because I find its texture to be remarkably similar to traditional wheat flour, resulting in a delightfully tender cookie that mirrors the original recipe closely. However, if you use a gluten-free blend with a higher rice flour content (which some brands have), your cookies might develop a slightly crispier, more crumbly texture, akin to Traditional Shortbread Cookies. This can also be a wonderful outcome, offering a different but equally enjoyable experience! Always check the specific recommendations for your chosen GF flour blend as formulations can vary.
- Maraschino Cherry Options: Maraschino cherries come in a wide spectrum of quality and flavor, giving you choices based on your preference. For that iconic bright red color and sweet, juicy pop, the standard-issue maraschino cherries are perfect and what I used in this recipe for their vibrant aesthetic. However, if you’re seeking a more refined flavor and less artificial color, there are several luxury possibilities available. Brands like Rex Brand offer high-quality maraschino cherries that often have a deeper, more authentic cherry taste and are made without artificial colorings. Another fantastic substitute for maraschino cherries, especially if you prefer a less sweet or more natural fruit flavor, is an equal amount of finely chopped, dried tart cherries. Rehydrate them briefly if they are very dry to ensure a tender bite that doesn’t pull moisture from your cookie dough.
- Pistachio Variations: While pistachios are a core component and bring a distinct green hue and earthy flavor to this particular recipe, if you have an allergy, can’t find them, or simply prefer another nut, chopped almonds or walnuts would work beautifully. Just be sure to toast them lightly beforehand to bring out their best flavor and aroma before adding them to the dough. Pecans are also a classic choice for snowball cookies if you want to lean into that traditional flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
To maintain their freshness and delicate texture, store your pistachio snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. It’s best to layer the cookies between pieces of parchment paper or waxed paper to prevent them from sticking together or losing their beautiful sugar coating. A large zip-top baggie also works wonderfully for storage, just ensure all air is squeezed out before sealing.
These delicious Cherry Pistachio Snowballs will stay fresh and flavorful at room temperature for up to two weeks when stored properly in an airtight container, making them perfect for holiday gifting or enjoying over an extended period. For even longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Personally, I often prefer to freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake them fresh whenever a craving strikes – nothing beats a warm, freshly baked cookie straight from the oven!
Absolutely! You can indeed freeze baked pistachio snowball cookies. Once they have completely cooled down and been tossed in their powdered sugar coating, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container, layering them with parchment or waxed paper to prevent sticking. This method keeps them fresh and delicious for up to three months, ready to be thawed at room temperature and enjoyed whenever you need a quick festive treat. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls.
Yes, you can easily scale this recipe to make as large a batch of cherry pistachio snowballs as your heart desires! You are primarily limited by the capacity of your stand mixer. If you’re planning a very large batch (e.g., doubling or tripling), you might consider mixing it in two smaller portions to ensure all ingredients are properly incorporated and the dough is consistent, avoiding strain on your mixer and ensuring uniform texture.
These cookies are excellent for shipping! Their sturdy yet tender nature makes them quite resilient, and the powdered sugar coating acts as a protective layer. When packaging them for shipping, ensure they are nestled securely in an airtight tin or container. Use plenty of tissue paper, crumpled parchment paper, or even bubble wrap as padding to prevent them from shifting, bouncing around, and crumbling during transit. A little extra care in packing will ensure they arrive looking and tasting perfect for your loved ones.
One of the fantastic advantages of this Cherry Pistachio Snowball recipe is that you do not need to chill the dough prior to baking! This means you can go from mixing to forming to baking much faster, making it an ideal recipe for when you’re short on time but still want to whip up a batch of impressive, festive cookies without the extra waiting period.
Snowball cookies are designed to be crumbly, but if they’re falling apart excessively, it could be due to a few factors. Ensure your butter is at room temperature but not melted, as too soft butter can affect the dough’s structure. Also, make sure you’re measuring your flour accurately, preferably by weight if possible, as too little flour can make the cookies overly delicate. Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added; mix just until combined to prevent toughness, but ensure it’s homogenous enough to hold together. Lastly, ensure they are fully cooled before handling and coating, as they are most fragile when warm.
While fresh cherries offer a lovely flavor, they contain significantly more moisture than maraschino cherries, which can alter the delicate texture of these butter cookies. If you wish to use fresh cherries, you’ll need to pit and finely chop them, then blot them extensively with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. You might also consider tossing them with a small amount of flour before adding to the dough to absorb any remaining moisture. However, for the characteristic bright red color and consistent sweetness of traditional snowball cookies, maraschino cherries are generally recommended for their stability in baking.
Toasting pistachios is a simple yet impactful step that greatly enhances their nutty flavor and aroma. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Alternatively, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them as nuts can burn quickly. Allow them to cool completely before chopping and adding to the dough to ensure their crispness.
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Cherry Pistachio Snowballs
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Equipment You’ll Need
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Wilton’s Holiday Mix variety set (optional, for extra sparkle)
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Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer with paddle attachment
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Two large Baking Sheets
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Parchment Paper
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Wire Cooling Rack
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Small Bowls for sugar coating
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Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Maraschino cherries chopped, well-drained and patted very dry
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter room temperature
- ½ cup Confectioner’s sugar for the cookie dough
- ½ teaspoon Almond extract
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All Purpose flour
- ¾ cup Pistachios shelled, toasted and finely chopped
- 1 cup Confectioner’s sugar for rolling the cookies after baking
- ¼ cup Red sanding sugar or edible glitter, for rolling and extra sparkle
Instructions
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Prepare your Workspace: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This step makes cleanup a breeze!
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Cherry Preparation: Thoroughly drain the chopped maraschino cherries in a fine-mesh sieve. Then, spread them out on several layers of paper towels and pat them very dry. This step is crucial to prevent excess moisture from making the cookies soggy or altering the dough consistency.
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Cream Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer with a large bowl), cream together the room temperature unsalted butter, the ½ cup of confectioner’s sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, typically 2-3 minutes. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until it is incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Once the flour is mostly combined, gently fold in the finely chopped, toasted pistachios and the prepared, dry maraschino cherries until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Form the Snowballs: Roll the dough into uniform 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls. Place these dough balls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on your prepared baking sheets. These cookies don’t spread much during baking, so they can be placed relatively close without merging.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the tops show slight cracks. The exact baking time will depend on the size of your cookies and your oven’s calibration. Avoid overbaking to keep them wonderfully tender. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Roll and Finish: Once the cookies are completely cool to the touch, combine the remaining 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar with the ¼ cup of red sanding sugar (or edible glitter) in a shallow bowl. Roll each cooled cookie generously in this festive sugar mixture until thoroughly coated on all sides. Arrange on a platter and watch these irresistible treats disappear!
Chef’s Notes & Tips for Success
Yield: This recipe makes approximately 48 delicious cookies (when rolling 1-inch balls), perfect for sharing or stocking up your cookie jar.
Tip for Toasting Pistachios: For the best and most intense nutty flavor, always lightly toast your shelled pistachios before adding them to the dough. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant. Alternatively, spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool completely before chopping.
Perfectly Dry Cherries: The key to incorporating maraschino cherries without adding too much moisture to your cookie dough is meticulous drying. After draining, pat them very, very dry with several layers of paper towels. This prevents them from making your cookies tough or causing them to spread unexpectedly.
Storage for Peak Freshness: While these cookies are delightful freshly baked, their flavors actually deepen and meld beautifully over a day or two. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to stack them, use parchment paper between rows to protect their delicate sugar coating and prevent sticking. They’ll be just as tender and flavorful for up to two weeks!
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)
Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with these Cherry Pistachio Snowballs, you’re in for a treat! Chef Lindsey Farr is passionate about developing unique and delightful cookie recipes for every occasion and season. Don’t stop your baking adventure here! Be sure to check out our other delicious, chef-developed Cookie Recipes, perfect for year-round indulgence and any special event. For those deep in holiday spirit, explore our curated collection of 16 irresistible Chocolate Christmas Cookies, or dive into the extensive selection of over 100+ Christmas Cookie Recipes to find your next festive favorite. Whether you’re looking for easy drop cookies, elegant cut-outs, or chewy bar cookies, we have something to inspire every baker. Happy baking, and enjoy sharing your homemade goodness!