These lemon snowball cookies are snowball-shaped bites of melt-in-your-mouth sweet deliciousness.
This snowball cookie recipe is perfect for a cookie swap and will be a cookie recipe that you will love to make each Christmas.
These delicate cookies are the perfect choice to make for Bake Cookies Day on December 18.
Oh the weather outside is frightful and the time is just delightful – or something like that! The time is just perfect for making these home made Lemon Snowball Cookies! After all, what is more perfect for the cold weather than a tasty snowball bite of goodness?
The holiday season is the time for making cookie recipes (like these peppermint Rice Krispie ball cookies!).
There are parties at your child’s school, cookie swaps, all of the entertaining possibilities, and a host of other reasons to have a plate full of tasty cookies this time of the year.
For me, Christmas is not just about one day. I love the spirit of the whole season, and I start early in November getting things ready so that I can enjoy all the fun that is to come closer to the actual day.
During the year, these cookies are known as lemon Mexican wedding cookies, but this time of the year, I call them snowballs or snowdrops.
That means baking things ahead of time that will freeze well (as well as having them on hand all during the season.)
There is a reason that we all gain a few pounds between now and New Year’s Day. All those goodies!! This snowball cookie recipe will be the star at a cookie exchange.
More ideas for Christmas cookies
Looking for some more ideas for your countdown to Christmas cookie making? Try these recipes, too!
- M & M Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies
- Traditional Scottish Shortbread Cookies
- Pecan Pie Cookies
- Candy Cane Peppermint Kiss Cookies
All of these cookie recipes are sure to delight, but the star of the show will be these melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies.
How to make Lemon Snowball Cookies!
These delicious cookies require just a few ingredients. I used butter, cornstarch, lemon, and confectioner’s sugar as the main ingredients. Lucky for me, I had them all in my pantry!
The cookies are easy to make. Just combine the flour, cornstarch, and sea salt in one bowl and then beat the butter with the confectioner’s sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract in a stand mixer.
Combine the two and mix well, and then cover the bowl with Saran Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. (this will make the cookies easier to roll into balls and will help them to keep their shape in the oven.)
Roll the chilled mixture into balls, using about 1 tbsp of dough. I lined my baking sheets with a silicone baking mat to make clean up easier.
Soft lemon cookies with powdered sugar
The lemon cookies powdered sugar coating is easy to do. The rolling part for this snowball cookie recipe comes in two parts. First, roll the balls when they are still slightly warm. Then let them cool completely and roll them again.
This ensures that the “snowballs” are perfectly white, and it gives them a sugary finish that forms the delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture.
You won’t be able to resist diving into the serving dish of these delicious little Lemon Snowball Cookies! They will become such a family favorite and you will get asked to make them year after year.
This delightful little snowball cookie recipe has an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture. The lemon adds a delightful burst of tartness that compliments the sweetness of the powdered sugar coating.
They are everything that a great holiday cookie should be – tasty, easy, and fun to display. Your party guest will gobble them up!
Tasting this snowball cookie recipe
These amazing cookies are the best lemon snowball cookies that I have eaten! They are reminiscent of lemon cooler cookies and have a melt-in-your-mouth taste and feel that is just delightful.
The bright taste of lemon and soft cookie texture makes these cookies a real winner. I served them at a holiday party and they just flew off the table.
They are the perfect cookies to take to your annual cookie exchange party. Just make sure anywhere you take them that you also take along the recipe. Your friends will want it for sure!
These cookies will keep well in an air-tight container for several days. They also freeze very well for about a month. Haha…imagine eating one of these Lemon Snowball Cookies right out of the freezer?
Gives new meaning to the term “cool cookie” doesn’t it?
This lemon cookies with powdered sugar recipe makes a great Christmas gift
Mason jars make the perfect jar for this lemon snowdrop cookies recipe. It is just the right size. Add some scrapbook paper to the lid and wrap it with holiday ribbon for a festive look to your table.
If you like the taste of these Lemon Snowball Cookies, be sure to visit my food blog for a similar version called Melting Moments Cookies.
Nutritional information for these lemon snowball cookies
The delicious snowball cookies are light in calories at only 89 for each cookie so they won’t spoil your calorie bank. They have 4 WW freestyle points and 4 Weight Watchers smart points, as well, so you can easily fit them into that diet plan.
Can you freeze lemon snowball cookies?
Yes, you sure can. The cookies will keep in an airtight container for about 3 days, or you can freeze them for up to a month. This makes them perfect for this time of the year.
Make the snowball cookies ahead of time and then freeze them to take out closer to the holiday period. You might need to roll them again in powdered sugar to get a nice soft outside texture.
Would you like a reminder of this recipe for lemon snowball cookies? Just pin this image to one of your Christmas boards on Pinterest.
Admin note: This post for lemon snowball cookies first appeared on the blog in December of 2017. I have updated the post to include nutritional information, a video, and WW points info.
Lemon Snowball Cookies

These lemon snowball cookies are small snowball shaped bites of melt in your mouth sweet, tart deliciousness. They are perfect for you annual cookie swap.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract for a bit of extra tartness
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablepoonscornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar + 2 teaspoons lemon zest, for rolling the cookies
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch and sea salt and set the bowl aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 20 seconds. Mix in 2/3 cup of the confectioner's sugar. Mix in lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract . With the mixer set on low speed gradually add in flour mixture and mix just until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. This will make it easier to form into the snowball shape. Preheat oven to 350 degrees halfway through the chilling.
- Scoop the dough out 1 Tbsp at a time and roll into balls, then place balls on a baking sheet lined with silicone baking mat or parchment paper, spacing the cookies about 2-inches apart.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool several minutes but not completely cool.
- While the cookies are still a bit warm, pour 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar into a bowl and roll the cookies in the sugar.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Once cookies are completely cool, roll in the confectioner's sugar one more time, being sure to generously coat the snowballs by pressing them into the sugar to give them a thick coating.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for three days or freeze for one month.
Notes
These lemon snowball cookies are 4 WW freestyle points (also 4 smart points.)
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 89Total Fat: 4.6gSaturated Fat: 2.9gUnsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 12.4mgSodium: 29.7mgCarbohydrates: 11.5gFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6.3gProtein: 0.7g
Casey
Wednesday 21st of December 2022
How long should I let them cool before doing the first roll in powdered sugar. I tried after 3-4 minutes and the first completely fell apart. Should they be super airy? It's a very short light crumb, that kinda melts away in your mouth.
Carol Speake
Monday 2nd of January 2023
HI Casey. It's been quite some time since I made these, but I seem to remember that I rolled them in the powdered sugar while they were still warm. They do have a slight short crumb texture.
Bj
Monday 14th of December 2020
Perfect recipe! Just made these and it is by far the best recipe I have ever used for this type of cookie. I will definitely be making again. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe!
Carol Speake
Tuesday 15th of December 2020
Glad you enjoyed the recipe BJ. It's one of my favorites, too!
kitty
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
i found this recipe and made them twice this week. Thank you for sharing the recipe, they were pretty easy to make and everyone loved them.
Carol Speake
Thursday 19th of December 2019
Glad you enjoyed the recipe Kitty
Holiday Dessert Recipe Roundup - Grey Fox Trails - Grey Fox Trails
Thursday 22nd of February 2018
[…] Lemon Snowball Cookies by The Gardening Cook […]
Terry
Wednesday 13th of December 2017
Can the dough be frozen? Thank you in advance 🤗
Carol
Wednesday 13th of December 2017
Hi Terry. I have not tried to freeze it but have frozen other dough in the past with similar ingredients with no problems. Carol