Thursday, December 13, 2012

Day 8: Snowballs

I've got a confession, I wasn't a big fan of this cookie before I made it.  It was a "doin' it all for my baby" cookie to quote Huey Lewis.  The Mr's mama made it for him as a kid and he really liked them and when my mom mentioned she missed those cookies I thought "okay, take one for the team and make a batch."  I had to put my own spin on them of course and what a wonderful spin it was especially when the Mr's eyes widen with that look of "this is why I married you."  I had to test one and I'll say that this was definitely an improvement to the ones I remember.  It doesn't matter what you call them...snowballs, wedding cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, etc, we just call them delicious.



 

These are awesome if you're going to be shipping them to loved ones as they're very durable and can handle the shipping process.  Or they're good if, you know, you want to put them in your belly.  Let's get started.

Snowballs
(Makes 35- Adapted from Paula Deen's Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe )

1 cup butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar (1/2 in recipe, 1/4 for sifting)
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup white flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup pecans, chopped fine
1/4 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

In a bowl add your butter and powdered sugar.



Cream them until fluffy and loverly.


Hello Mr. Puh-kahn, PEE-can (eww!), Pick-on, nuts.


Cut them up into a smallish size so they blend well but also don't fade like a wallflower.  You want a hint with an occasional POW.


I had some diced mac nuts on hand but you can buy some and chop 'em yourself.


Add your nuts to the butter mixture.


Add the rest of the ingredients.


Mix until combined.


Get out your handy dandy small cookie scoop.


Ball them up and set them about 1-2" apart on a cookie sheet.


Bake for 40 minutes.  Do not overbake.


Let cool on rack until they are almost completely cool.


Plop it in the powdered sugar.  (Like my technical terms?)


Toss to coat and return to rack.


Give the cookies one final sprinkle since the base coat will likely melt slightly.  This coat will adhere as long as you let them cool completely.


Share if you wish.  I'd say throw them at someone since they're snowballs but try to resist the urge unless they're trying to catch it in their mouth.  Okay, don't do that either, I am not responsible for chipped teeth should you ignore my warning.

Just daintily eat them...then wipe all of the sugar off of your lips.



Nutritional Information per cookie:  Calories 104  Total Fat 8g  Sat Fat 4g  Poly Fat 1g  Mono Fat 3g  Cholesterol 14mg  Sodium 38mg  Potassium 23mg  Total Carbs 8g  Fiber 1g  Sugars 3g  Protein 1g  Vitamin A 3%  Calcium 1%  Iron 2%


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20 comments:

  1. These are my hubby's absolute favorite cookie. I like them too, but they're not my favorite. I love the idea of adding a few extra spices and some macadamia nuts. I'll definitely be trying that when I make a batch for him this weekend.

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    1. Yes, those little tweaks definitely made all the difference for me! Enjoy!

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  2. My mom used to make these and, while they weren't my most favorite, they are a traditional cookie for my family. I do love the nutty crunchiness they offer and when my co-workers were enjoying them I was laughing at all the people with little white specks of powdered sugar at the corners of their mouths. It was a dead giveaway for me to know who ate your cookies - ha!

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    1. That's hilarious! "Uh, ya got a little something on the corners of your mouth!"

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  3. hahaha thats a fun cookie!! but I like chocolate..so I might try the other ones before I come to these...now I need is a small cookie scoop...lol...Yes ma'am..the only thing I have for baking at home is an oven and eggs:d

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    Replies
    1. I totally understand...chocolate always wins! :) That little cookie scoop is the best investment I've ever made!

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  4. I might just have to make some of these over the weekend, thanks for planting the idea!

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  5. These are a tradition for my family as well. They make round ones and rectangle ones....I was never a fan until a couple of years ago and they started to grow on me. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Isn't it funny how you can be like "eh" most of your life on a particular food or recipe then you taste it as an adult and you're like "hmm, these are pretty dang good!"

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  6. OMG! I want these now!! Can I come live at your house? :)

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    1. Good luck finding a square inch available but I'd be glad to have you as a neighbor! :)

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  7. Yummy! I also like the snowman plate too cute.

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  8. These are some of my favorite cookies! My hands have started itching, though every time I make them (something in the nut oils, I'm guessing) so this year I made some nut-free and changed up the spices using ground cardamom. SO SO SO good! And no itchy hands! Woot! I seriously love the snowman plate.

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    Replies
    1. Yikes! I'm glad you were able to make an alternate nut free version to enjoy!

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  9. This is not related to this post but I'm on my phone. Anyway, the Oreo truffles (Halloween treat) with cream cheese and Oreos. Do they need to be refrigerated after being made? Like if I gave them as a gift would I need to tell people to keep them refrigerated? Thanks!

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    1. Yes, if you use cream cheese always tell the recipient to keep them refrigerated. Or if you prefer you can use 2-3 tablespoons of shelf stable milk like almond, rice or hemp milk and they'll do fine at room temp. Enjoy!

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  10. I have never cared for these either, but I am intrigued to try your version. And they look so perfect on that plate!

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  11. I've always liked these cookies, but I've never, ever made them. It was one of those things I would nibble on at a wedding or church function. I've never been a big fan of powdered sugar sprinkled on top of things either...except for those little lardy donuts that come in the bag...those were an exception. These do look like the perfect thing to make for Christmas though!

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