These festive cookies feature a dark chocolate snowball cookie dough wrapped around a maraschino cherry for a fun Christmas cookie unlike any other! They aren’t too sweet and just the right size for a couple bites and a smile.
Melt in your mouth chocolate snowball cookies with a cherry surprise in the center. These easy cookies are a perfect addition to a holiday treat tray.
You will fall in love with these fabulous treats. They are quick to make and perhaps a little too easy to eat!
Chocolate snowball cookies are a tasty twist on Russian tea cakes. And this version has a hidden cherry inside for even more flavor and fun.
The best part is these tasty cookies only take 5 ingredients to make. The dough is really simple to put together.
Wrapping the dough around the cherry may seem intimidating, but it really is quite easy to do. Watch the video in the recipe card to see how simple it really is.
The chocolate snowball cookies with maraschino cherries are sure to impress whoever you decide to share them with. That is, if you don’t keep them all for yourself!
What Are Snowball Cookies?
Snowball cookies are also known as Russian teacakes, Mexican wedding cookies and a variety of other names. They feature a simple dough usually made with butter, flour, sugar and nuts.
There are no eggs or rising agents in the dough, so they have a shortbread like consistency that just melts in your mouth.
In fact the dough is similar to what we use for our crescent cookies and that recipe can be easily scooped and baked into snowballs.
The dough itself isn’t too sweet, so the baked cookies are rolled in a coating of powdered sugar. This gives them their snowball appearance.
Of course over the years bakers have adjusted the flavors and made all kinds of different snowball variations.
Just imagine biting into a key lime snowball or a strawberry chocolate chip snowball cookie. Or you can just sub out the pecans for walnuts, almonds or pistachios.
But there is just something extra special about a chocolate snowball. And having a cherry inside makes it all that much better.
You bite into the buttery chocolate cookie and the maraschino cherry reveals itself. The combination of flavors and textures is just perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dough look dry and crumbly?
With no eggs or liquid to bring the dough together, you are relying fully on the butter to bring the dough together. It may not look like it will form a dough at first, but keep mixing until it comes together. If your butter is still cold, it will take longer.
How do I know when they are done baking?
They are done baking when they go from glossy to matte. They will be very tender at first, so allow them to cool for a couple of minutes before handling.
How do I store snowball cookies?
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. If you know you intend to freeze them, you may want to wait until you defrost them to roll the cookies in powdered sugar.
More Chocolate Cookie Recipes to Try:
For another fun cookie, try chocolate covered cherry blossoms. They take the classic cordial cherry candies and place them on a soft chocolate cookie.
Or try making chocolate cherry chip cookies. They feature a rich chocolate dough with bits of cherry and white chocolate chips baked inside.
If you are in the mood for a bit of mint, try whipping up some peppermint stuffed cake mix cookies. They are another fun surprise inside cookie that starts with a cake mix for ease.
Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!
Chocolate Covered Cherry Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 10 oz. jar maraschino cherries
- additional powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Drain the jar of cherries and spread the cherries out to dry. The dryer they are, the easier it is to work the dough around them. Patting them down with a paper towel is encouraged.
- Cream the butter until it is smooth and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar.
- Stir together the flour and cocoa powder and then mix into the butter mixture.
- Work about a Tablespoon of dough around cherry to form a ball.
- Place about an inch apart on a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Video
Nutrition
The Speedy Spatula
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
I've never seen this treat before but it looks wonderful! Can't wait to try! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Anonymous
Monday 26th of November 2018
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Carlee
Thursday 7th of December 2017
Aw! That's so sweet. I'm sure he lives on in the cookies his daughters make! xoxo
Unknown
Friday 23rd of December 2016
These sound so good! My grandson would love them (he loves the cherries). Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Carlee
Saturday 24th of December 2016
There is something about those cherries! Thanks!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Friday 23rd of December 2016
What a great idea this was! I'll have to add this to my Valentine's baking list :)
Carlee
Saturday 24th of December 2016
They would be perfect for that too! Have a merry Christmas!