Easy Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies Recipe: Sweet, Zesty Joy

Lemon cardamom snowball cookies bring winter magic into your kitchen with their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

These delightful treats blend zesty citrus notes with warm, aromatic spices that dance across your palate.

Soft and powdery, these cookies crumble gently with each bite, releasing an unexpected burst of sophisticated flavor.

Seasonal baking reaches new heights when traditional cookie techniques merge with unexpected ingredient combinations.

Light and airy, these delicate rounds showcase how simple ingredients can upgrade into something extraordinary.

The delicate balance between tangy lemon and rich cardamom creates a sensory experience that elevates classic holiday baking.

Loved by both adventurous bakers and traditional cookie enthusiasts, these snowball cookies promise to become a cherished recipe in your culinary repertoire.

Why Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies Melt in Your Mouth

• Burst with Citrusy Brightness: These cookies pack a zesty punch with fresh lemon zest that dances across your taste buds, bringing a sunny, vibrant flavor that cuts through the rich buttery base.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic: The delicate snowball texture creates an incredibly tender cookie that practically dissolves on your tongue, thanks to the perfect ratio of butter and powdered sugar.
• Spice Up Your Dessert Game: Cardamom adds an unexpected, sophisticated warmth that transforms these from ordinary cookies into a gourmet treat, elevating them beyond basic holiday sweets.
• Quick Kitchen Win: With just 20 minutes total time and simple ingredients, these cookies offer maximum flavor and impressive results without complicated techniques, making them perfect for busy bakers or last-minute dessert needs.

The Ingredients Behind These Zesty Snowballs

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for cookie texture and flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure and tender crumb to the cookies.

• Salt: Balances and intensifies overall cookie sweetness.
• Cardamom: Adds warm, aromatic spice with subtle complexity.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy freshness and light tang.
• Vanilla Extract: Contributes deep, classic bakery flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates classic snowball cookie coating and sweet exterior.
• Fresh Lemon Zest: Optional garnish for extra citrus brightness and visual appeal.

Rolling and Baking Snowball Cookies the Right Way

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Butter Mixture

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar

• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Cardamom
• Lemon zest

Mix thoroughly.

Step 3: Form Cookie Dough

Add flour to the butter mixture. Use a large spoon or spatula to blend until dough forms.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Balls

Scoop of dough for each cookie. Roll each into a smooth ball. Place evenly on baking sheet (about 18 cookies will fit).

Step 5: Bake Cookies

Bake at 325°F for 8-10 minutes. Prepare a separate bowl with powdered sugar.

Step 6: Coat Cookies

Remove cookies from oven. Let cool on baking sheet for 4 minutes. Gently roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar. Transfer to a platter or cooling rack.

Step 7: Final Sugar Coating

Once cookies are completely cool, roll again in powdered sugar if needed. Optional: Sprinkle fresh lemon zest on top.

Step 8: Store Cookies

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Tips for Round, Soft, Flavorful Snowballs

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticking and ensure a smoother texture.
• Gentle Sugar Coating: Roll warm cookies carefully in powdered sugar to create a delicate, even layer without breaking the fragile cookies.
• Zest for Brightness: Add extra lemon zest on top for a fresh, vibrant flavor that enhances the cardamom's warm undertones.
• Perfect Baking Time: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are just barely golden to maintain a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Storage Savvy: Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain their delightful powdery coating.

How to Store These Powdery Treats Without Mess

• Refrigerate Carefully: Place cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container, separating each layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking. These delicate cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Freeze for Longer Storage: Seal cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Refresh Before Serving: Gently dust with additional powdered sugar to restore their beautiful snowball appearance. Warm cookies briefly in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to revive their soft, tender texture.

Pairing Snowball Cookies with Drinks or Ice Cream

• Pair with Citrus-Infused Tea: Brew a light, fragrant earl grey or lemon chamomile tea that complements the cookie's bright lemon and cardamom notes, enhancing the delicate flavor profile.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Accompaniment: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a smooth mascarpone cream to balance the cookie's subtle spice and zesty undertones.
• Combine with Sparkling White Wine: Select a crisp prosecco or light champagne that echoes the cookie's citrusy essence, creating a delightful harmony of refreshing and sweet elements.
• Create a Dessert Platter Pairing: Arrange these snowball cookies with almond biscotti and lavender shortbread to offer a diverse texture and flavor experience that highlights the unique cardamom characteristic.

Variations with Spices or Nuts That Work Well

• Orange Cardamom Crunch: Swap lemon zest with orange zest and add crushed pistachios to the dough for extra texture and nutty flavor.
• Lavender Honey Snowballs: Replace lemon extract with lavender extract and mix in a tablespoon of honey for a floral, sweet undertone.
• Coconut Cardamom Dream: Fold shredded coconut into the dough and roll finished cookies in toasted coconut flakes instead of powdered sugar for a tropical spin.
• Almond Spice Snowballs: Add ground almonds to the flour mixture and sprinkle cinnamon alongside cardamom for a warm, rich profile that complements the buttery cookie base.

Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Lemon cardamom snowball cookies bring zesty Mediterranean charm to classic holiday treats. Delicate powdered sugar-coated cookies melt in your mouth with bright citrus notes and warm cardamom spice, creating a perfect companion for afternoon tea or festive gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (130g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113g) plant-based (or regular) butter, softened

Flavoring Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (40g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 large lemon zest (or 2 small lemons)
• ½ teaspoon lemon extract
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 pinch of salt

Topping:

• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
• Lemon zest (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an even surface for cookie placement.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, cream softened butter and powdered sugar until completely smooth and well incorporated.
3. Blend in salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, ground cardamom, and fresh lemon zest, creating a fragrant and flavorful base.
4. Gradually incorporate flour into the mixture, using a large spoon or spatula to gently combine until a cohesive dough forms.
5. Carefully measure and shape dough into small, uniform balls approximately in volume, ensuring consistent size and shape.
6. Arrange cookie dough balls evenly on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart as they will minimal spread during baking.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for light golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
8. While cookies bake, prepare a separate bowl with of powdered sugar for coating.
9. After removing from oven, let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 4 minutes to slightly cool and firm up.
10. Gently roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar, ensuring complete and even coverage.
11. Transfer coated cookies to a cooling rack or serving platter, allowing them to cool completely.
12. Optional: Perform a second powdered sugar coating for extra sweetness and a more pronounced snowball appearance.
13. Optionally garnish with additional fresh lemon zest for brightness and visual appeal.
14. Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Gentle baking transforms butter and flour into delicate, melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies bursting with bright lemon and aromatic cardamom.
• Rolling cookies uniformly ensures even baking and creates a professional, consistent look that impresses guests and family.
• First sugar coating happens right after baking while cookies are still warm, allowing powdered sugar to slightly melt and create a smooth, delicate exterior.
• These cookies can be prepared ahead of time and stored at room temperature for 5-7 days, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or unexpected company.
• Cardamom and lemon zest provide sophisticated, unexpected flavor complexity that elevates these traditional snowball cookies from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like real butter and fresh lemon zest to maximize the cookies’ delicate, nuanced flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 60 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg