Description
Learn how to make delicious Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, for rolling
- Optional: 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty twist
If you’re looking to make this recipe a bit lighter, I recommend using salted butter and reducing added salt to 1/4 teaspoon. For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and use a coconut condensed milk alternative, though the flavor will shift slightly. When I first experimented with substituting nuts, I found that finely chopped pecans work best without overpowering the cookie’s delicate texture. Feel free to omit nuts for a classic version, especially if you’re baking for kids or people with allergies.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step saves cleanup and helps cookies bake evenly.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. When I was learning to bake, this part taught me patience—rushing this step can lead to dense cookies.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined. The condensed milk not only sweetens but also tenderizes the dough, making these cookies uniquely soft.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt (and chopped nuts if using). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix here; you want to keep the dough tender.
- Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. I like to remind myself of those family dinners when shaping dough by hand—it’s a tactile, grounding moment in cooking.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are just starting to turn light golden. They won’t brown much on top, so be careful not to overbake—you want a pale, soft cookie.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra snowy effect, I like to roll them in powdered sugar a second time once they’ve fully cooled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies, recipe, cooking, food
