Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies (Classic Recipe) – Gluten-Free Palate (2024)

By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 14, 2024

Let's talk about how to make Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies. These seasonal favorites are buttery and crunchy. . . a perfect winter treat. These gluten free snowballs, also known as gluten free Mexican wedding cookies, are easy to make and they are perfectly sweet. I'm happy to share my gluten-free snowball cookie recipe!

If you love holiday cookies you'll want to make my Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies. They're some of my family's favorites. And you can use the same recipe to build a ginger-bread house! And for those with a chocolate craving, try my Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. They're perfect any time of year.

Gluten-Free Snowball Cookie Recipe

You know those little ball-shaped cookies dipped in powdered sugar that have been super popular at holiday gatherings the past 40 years? They're a Christmas classic, celebrated for their nostalgic flavor, and they melt in your mouth.

Yes, this recipe produces those little mouthwatering, palate-satisfying cookies, and they’re gluten‐free!

Gluten Free Snowball cookies are a traditional Christmas cookie that have been around for generations. There's a reason they're so popular. The taste!

Here's a fun fact: They're also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, and Italian Wedding Cookies.

In my house, we typically make gluten free snowball cookies for Christmas day and often make extra to share with friends as a holiday gift.

And there are several ways to give these a personal flair. If you can't have pecans, you can use sliced and chopped almonds, or walnuts.

Do you call these gluten free snowball cookies "snowballs", or "gluten free Mexican wedding cookies" or "gluten free Russian teacakes"?

Dairy Free Snowball Cookies

Make these gluten free snowball cookies dairy-free by using a dairy-free butter instead of regular butter. I've tried vegan butter in the past with good results.

Working with Gluten-Free Flours

When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour. The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.

My friends at Beyond Celiac have also talked about whether almond flour is gluten-free (it is). So that's also an option if you haven't already tried it.

I'll also share some tips for gluten-free flour below. It's your choice whether to use store bought or make your own.

Gluten-Free Flour Blends for Making Cookies

For this gluten free snowball cookie recipe I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour (not their all purpose gluten free flour).

I've also used my gluten free flour blend + 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum. You can use your preferred gluten free flour to make these gluten free snowball cookies. Just make sure that yours has xanthan gum in it. That's what helps it maintain consistency.

If your gluten-free flour doesn't contain xanthan gum, simply add 1 teaspoon to the flour mixture.

How to Make Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies

So let's talk about the steps. My recipe doesn't take too long. If you have the ingredients, a stand mixer (or hand mixer), some parchment paper, and an oven, you're already most of the way there. Here's what to do:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth.
2. In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the ½ cup powdered sugar, gluten free flour, and xanthan gum (omit if using a blend with xanthan included).
3. Add the flour mixture to the butter.
4. Work the flour into the butter mixture. It may appear to be too dry, you may need to use your hands.
5. Stir in the chopped nuts.
6. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place them two inches apart on the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 16–18 minutes until set, but not brown. Immediately remove from the cookie sheet to a wire rack.
8. Cool cookies for 5 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar.

You can roll these gluten free snowball cookies in powdered sugar a second time, if you wish.

Freezing Snowball Cookies

Some people ask whether you can freeze snowball cookies. In short, yes! You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before you roll the dough into balls.

You can also store baked snowball cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bring them to room temperature before rolling in powdered sugar. This is an easy way to save time during the holidays. Just set aside some time well beforehand, then freeze the dough.

Baking Mat Recommendations

While I use parchment paper for most of my gluten-free cookies, you can also use silicone mats. Some people prefer these because they're reusable. It's your choice, and it shouldn't make much of a difference to the finished product. I've used these Amazon Basics mats in the past. They work well.

Tips for Making Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies

Here are a few of my favorite tips for making gluten-free snowball cookies. I learned these from experience. Trust me, they'll save you so much time! These are some of my all-time favorite gluten-free cookies. I hope you enjoy them too!

• Room temperature ingredients works best.
• The butter should be at room temperature, not hard and not melted.
• When you add the flour to the butter mixture, you'll want to first stir it. The dough will appear dry. You'll need to work it the rest of the way with your hands.
• Make sure the nuts are finely chopped before you work them into the cookie dough.
• Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop for uniform cookies.

Did you make these gluten free snowball cookies? Please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.

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