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Cherry Pistachio Snowballs


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  • Author: Recipes Tasteful
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Cherry Pistachio Snowballs are delightful, buttery cookies that combine the sweetness of maraschino cherries with the crunch of pistachios, creating a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Coated in powdered sugar, these cookies are not only beautiful but also melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They are easy to make and are sure to be a hit at any gathering!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
  • ½ cup pistachios, chopped (salted or unsalted)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Cherries:
    • Remove the liquid from a 12-ounce jar of maraschino cherries. Place the cherries in a colander and cover with paper towels. Press gently to remove excess liquid, ensuring they are moist but not soaking wet.
  • Mix the Dough:
    • In a mixing bowl, combine the cake flour, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Add Cherries and Nuts:
    • Carefully fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and pistachios, mixing until evenly distributed.
  • Chill the Dough:
    • Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
  • Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Form the Cookies:
    • Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, form tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie, as they do not spread much during baking.
  • Bake:
    • Bake the cookies for 18-22 minutes or until they feel firm with slightly golden brown bottoms. The cookies should be soft-baked, not crunchy.
  • Coat in Powdered Sugar:
    • Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, add them one or two at a time to a shallow dish filled with powdered sugar, rolling them to coat completely.
  • Enjoy:
    • Once the cookies are fully coated in powdered sugar, enjoy them! Store any leftovers in an airtight container once they are completely cooled.

Notes

  • Ensure that you thoroughly drain the cherries to prevent excess moisture in the dough, which could affect the cookie texture.
  • For added flavor, consider using finely chopped pistachios on top after rolling in powdered sugar.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg