Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies With A Soft, Buttery Center And A Warm, Cozy Cinnamon Finish In Every Bite

A Tender, Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookie That Feels Like Winter Comfort From The First Bite

Cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are one of those recipes that quietly become tradition without anyone formally deciding it. They show up on cookie trays year after year, get tucked into tins for neighbors, and somehow disappear faster than anything else on the table. They don’t need frosting, fillings, or fancy decorations. What they rely on instead is texture, warmth, and that unmistakable buttery crumble that melts the second it hits your tongue.

I first started making these when I wanted something that felt special but didn’t require rolling pins, chilling overnight, or elaborate shaping. The dough comes together in minutes, rolls easily in your hands, and bakes into soft little domes that stay pale and tender. The magic really happens when they’re still warm and get rolled in cinnamon sugar. The heat lets the coating cling just enough, creating that fine, snowy layer that gives these cookies their name and their charm.

These are the cookies I reach for when I want something comforting with my coffee in the afternoon, or when I want to bake without turning it into a whole production. They’re calm cookies. Cozy cookies. The kind that make your kitchen smell like butter and cinnamon and make people wander in asking what’s in the oven.

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Why Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies Always Work

There’s something timeless about this style of cookie. Snowball cookies have been around in many forms for decades, often rolled in powdered sugar and sometimes filled with nuts. This version leans into warmth instead, swapping powdered sugar for a cinnamon sugar coating that feels familiar and deeply comforting. The result is a cookie that’s soft, rich, and gently spiced without being overpowering.

Because the dough doesn’t spread much, the cookies keep their rounded shape, giving you that bakery-style look without any extra effort. They’re also sturdy enough to transport well, making them perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or holiday platters.

Fun History And Facts About Snowball Cookies And Cinnamon

Snowball cookies have roots in European butter cookies and shortbread-style doughs, showing up under different names in different regions. You’ll find versions called Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, and butter balls, all built on the same simple idea of a rich, crumbly dough coated after baking.

Cinnamon itself has been used in sweet baking for thousands of years and was once considered a luxury spice. Its natural warmth pairs beautifully with butter and sugar, which is why it shows up so often in cozy desserts meant to be shared. Combining cinnamon sugar with a snowball cookie gives this recipe a nostalgic feel while still keeping it simple and approachable.

Why Each Ingredient Shines In This Recipe

Butter provides richness, structure, and that melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines snowball cookies

Powdered sugar keeps the dough tender and smooth without making the cookies crisp

Vanilla adds warmth and depth without competing with the cinnamon

All-purpose flour creates a soft, crumbly structure that holds its shape

Cinnamon brings gentle spice and warmth that defines the cookie’s flavor

Granulated sugar in the coating adds sparkle, texture, and just the right amount of crunch

Serving And Pairing Suggestions

These cookies are perfect served with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They also pair beautifully with apple cider or spiced chai. For a cookie tray, they balance out richer chocolate desserts and frosted cookies, offering something lighter but still deeply satisfying.

They’re especially nice served slightly warm the day they’re baked, but they hold their texture beautifully for several days, making them ideal for advance baking.

Storage And Make-Ahead Tips

Store cinnamon sugar snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to keep the coating intact. The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before rolling and baking.

These cookies also freeze well. Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a container. Let them thaw at room temperature and, if desired, give them a quick fresh roll in cinnamon sugar before serving.

Time-And-Money-Saving Tips

This recipe uses pantry staples and doesn’t require chilling, mixers beyond a basic hand mixer, or specialty equipment. You can double the batch easily for gifting, and the dough scales well without changing texture.

If you’re baking multiple batches, shape all the dough balls first and bake in rounds to save time.

Cinnamon Sugar Snowball Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

½ cup granulated sugar

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Beat butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.

3. Mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

4. Add flour, salt, and cinnamon and mix just until a soft dough forms.

5. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls.

6. Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet.

7. Bake for 12–14 minutes, until set but not browned.

8. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

9. Stir granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl.

10. Gently roll warm cookies in cinnamon sugar until evenly coated.

11. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Approximate Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)

Calories: 135

Fat: 8g

Carbohydrates: 14g

Sugar: 7g

Protein: 1g

These cinnamon sugar snowball cookies are everything a cozy cookie should be: buttery, tender, and lightly spiced with a soft crumb that practically melts away. They’re simple to make, easy to share, and the kind of recipe that quietly becomes a favorite once people taste them.