Wedding Cake Cookies And Snowball Cookies: What's The Difference?

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are the same thing. They are also known as Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, Danish wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, butterballs, and snowballs. They are made with butter, sugar, flour, and nuts (usually pecans or walnuts). The warm cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, which gives them their snowball-like appearance.

Wedding cake cookies vs snowball cookies: ingredients

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are the same as Mexican wedding cookies, which are also known as Russian tea cakes, butterballs, Danish wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, and Greek butter cookies (kourabiedes). They are a variation of shortbread cookies with the added taste and texture of nuts.

Ingredients

The ingredients for wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are simple. They include:

• Butter
• Powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar)
• Flour (all-purpose flour or plain flour)
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Chopped nuts (usually pecans, but can also be walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts)

Some recipes also include:

• Cinnamon
• Orange zest
• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate chips

Method

The method for making wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies is also quite simple. First, you cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, you mix in the flour, salt, vanilla, and nuts. The dough will be crumbly, but this is normal. Next, you scoop the dough into rounded tablespoon-sized balls and roll them between your hands. Place the balls on a baking sheet and bake at 325-400°F for 10-20 minutes, or until the bottoms are light golden brown. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar. Allow them to cool completely, then roll them in powdered sugar again.

Storage

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or frozen for up to two months. If you are freezing the cookies, it is best to freeze them after the first coating of powdered sugar and then add the second coating after they have been thawed.

Wedding cake cookies vs snowball cookies: preparation

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are essentially the same thing. They are also known as Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, butterballs, Danish wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, and Greek butter cookies. They are a variation of shortbread cookies with the added taste and texture of nuts.

The preparation methods for wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are very similar. Here are the general steps to prepare these cookies:

• Mix butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until light and fluffy.
• Add in the flour and nuts and mix until combined. The nuts are typically pecans, but other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts can be used as well.
• Chill the dough for about 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll into balls.
• Preheat the oven to between 325°F and 400°F.
• Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Bake the cookies for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies, until the bottoms are light golden brown.
• While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar. This helps the sugar adhere to the cookies.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely on a cooling rack.
• Once cool, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again for a second coating.

There are some slight variations in the preparation methods depending on the specific recipe used. For example, some recipes call for chilling the dough before rolling it into balls, while others do not. Additionally, the amount of each ingredient and the baking time and temperature may vary slightly between recipes. However, the overall preparation method for wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies remains consistent across different recipes.

Wedding cake cookies vs snowball cookies: baking

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are the same thing! Also known as Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, Danish wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, butterballs, and snowballs, these cookies are a variation of shortbread cookies with the added taste and texture of nuts. They are made with butter, sugar, flour, and ground nuts – pecans, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or even hazelnuts.

Baking Wedding Cake Cookies/Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Mix the Dough

In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together at medium-high speed using a stand mixer or hand-held mixer until light and fluffy. This can take about 4–5 minutes depending on the weather and the butter. Add the ground nuts of your choice and mix well. Then, add the flour and mix on low until a stiff dough is formed.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Using a cookie scoop, portion out the cookie dough into smooth balls and place them in the fridge to chill completely for at least 30–45 minutes.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 325°F/165°C. Remove the chilled cookie balls from the fridge and place them on a prepared half sheet pan with at least 2 inches of space between each cookie. You can keep the cookies round or gently press on top with your fingers to flatten them slightly. Bake for 15–20 minutes. The cookies will be golden brown on the bottom but just a pale golden color on top.

Step 4: Coat the Cookies in Sugar

Cool the cookies for about 5 minutes and then roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm. Place the coated cookies on a cooling tray and let them cool completely. Coat the cooled cookies in an additional layer of confectioner's sugar to give them the characteristic snowball look.

Step 5: Store the Cookies

Store the cookies in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for about 10–14 days but will last longer in the freezer.

Tips and Tricks

• If you want a thicker coating of confectioner's sugar, dip the cookies in the sugar twice—once when they are warm and again after they have cooled down.
• If you are making these cookies ahead of time and freezing them, only coat them with the first layer of sugar before freezing. Then, coat them with the second layer of sugar once they have thawed.
• If you want to freeze the cookie dough instead of the baked cookies, portion the dough into balls and freeze them in a single layer on a sheet pan. Then, transfer the frozen cookie dough balls into freezer bags. When you're ready to bake, place the cookie dough balls on prepared pans and bake straight from frozen.

Wedding cake cookies vs snowball cookies: coating

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are both types of shortbread cookies. They are also known by other names such as Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, butterballs, Danish wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, and Greek butter cookies.

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are coated with confectioner's sugar or powdered sugar. The sugar coating gives them their classic snowball-like appearance. The cookies are rolled in the sugar while they are still warm, which helps the sugar adhere to the cookie. A second coating of sugar is then applied once the cookies have cooled, to give them a fresh, snowy appearance.

Some recipes suggest that the cookies be dipped in the sugar rather than rolled, which results in a thicker coating that is less likely to shake off. This method involves dipping the cookies in the sugar twice—once when they are warm, and again after they have cooled.

The sugar coating is an important part of the cookie's identity, and it is not uncommon for them to be coated a third time if the sugar has "soaked in" or melted.

Wedding cake cookies vs snowball cookies: storage

Wedding cake cookies and snowball cookies are the same type of cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, and polvorones. They are made with similar ingredients and have the same snowball-like appearance.

Storing Wedding Cake Cookies/Snowball Cookies:

When storing wedding cake cookies/snowball cookies, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure they remain fresh and tasty. Here is a detailed guide:

Step 1: Baking the Cookies

Bake the cookies according to your preferred recipe. Most recipes recommend baking the cookies at an oven temperature between 325°F and 400°F for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain a tender texture.

Step 2: Cooling the Cookies

Once the cookies are baked, let them cool on a wire rack until they reach room temperature. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cookies are completely cooled before storage, preventing them from becoming soggy.

Step 3: Rolling in Powdered Sugar (Optional)

Snowball cookies are traditionally coated in powdered sugar, giving them their signature snowball appearance. This step is optional but adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish. Roll the cooled cookies in powdered sugar once or twice, depending on your preference.

Step 4: Storing in an Airtight Container

Place the cooled and dusted cookies in an airtight container. This helps prevent the cookies from absorbing moisture and becoming stale. Ensure the container is tightly sealed for maximum freshness.

Step 5: Layering with Parchment Paper

To prevent the cookies from sticking together and to protect their delicate coating, layer them with parchment paper or wax paper between each layer of cookies.

Step 6: Storing in a Cool, Dry Place

Store the container of cookies in a cool and dry location. Avoid areas with high humidity or sources of heat, as this can affect the texture and cause the cookies to become soft or lose their crispness.

Step 7: Enjoying Within a Week

Snowball cookies are best enjoyed within a week of baking when they are at their freshest. Be sure to label the container with the date to keep track of their storage time.

Step 8: Freezing for Longer Storage

If you wish to enjoy the cookies beyond a week, you can freeze them for longer storage. Place the cookies in a single layer, separated by parchment paper, in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Frozen snowball cookies can be enjoyed within three months. Simply thaw them at room temperature before consuming.

By following these steps, you can ensure your wedding cake cookies/snowball cookies stay fresh and delicious, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Frequently asked questions