Description
Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs are delicate, buttery cookies with a tender crumb, lightly sweetened and dusted generously with confectioners' sugar. Perfect for holiday treats or anytime you want a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a subtle sweetness and a hint of vanilla if desired.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
Finishing
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Cream the Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. This step is essential to incorporate air that results in a tender cookie texture.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the butter while beating continuously for 2 minutes until the mixture is fully combined. If you choose to add flavor extracts such as vanilla, do so now, limiting to no more than 2 teaspoons.
- Scrape and Mix: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well mixed. Beat the mixture for an additional 1-2 minutes to achieve a smooth and consistent dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Beat gently until the dry ingredients are just incorporated to avoid overmixing. Optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried cranberries can be folded in at this stage, up to 1 cup.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into evenly sized mounds. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until they are lightly golden and set but still soft to the touch.
- Cool on the Pan: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes. This resting time helps them firm up to maintain their shape.
- Transfer and Dust: Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, use a sifter to generously dust each cookie with confectioners' sugar for a classic snowball appearance.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool fully before storing them in an airtight container to preserve freshness and texture.
Notes
- You can enhance the flavor by adding up to 2 teaspoons of vanilla or almond extract during step 2.
- Optional mix-ins such as chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts can be folded into the dough in step 4.
- Ensure the butter is adequately softened at room temperature to avoid lumps in the dough.
- Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft and tender; they should barely turn golden.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
