Description
These Cranberry Lime Snowball Cookies are buttery, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The sweet-tart flavor of dried cranberries paired with bright, citrusy lime creates a festive twist on the holiday classic. Perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday gatherings, they’re simple to make, travel well, and are guaranteed to be a hit! Bake a batch, and let the holiday spirit shine through every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (plus 1 cup for coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Zest of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in vanilla extract, almond extract, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir to combine.
- Add the finely chopped cranberries and pecans. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1.25-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then gently roll in confectioners’ sugar while warm.
- Once fully cooled, roll the cookies in confectioners’ sugar a second time for a perfect snowball finish.
Notes
- To prevent spreading, use softened butter, not melted butter, and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking if desired.
- These cookies freeze well, both as dough or after baking. Re-roll in sugar after thawing for a fresh look and taste.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 115
- Sugar: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg