Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies {Dairy-Free Option}
Published
Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies are a buttery shortbread cookie filled with nuts and rolled in powdered sugar. They are also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies and Russian Teacakes. They are an easy holiday dessert!
Easy Recipe for Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are a classic Christmas cookie. They also are known by the name Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, and Italian Wedding Cookies.
They are the perfect addition to your gluten-free Christmas cookie line-up. They are super easy to make and only take a few ingredients!
These snowball cookies are easily customizable by using your favorite nuts in the recipe like pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies In A Few Easy Steps
- Preheat oven to 400°
- In a large bowl, cream butter, pure vanilla extract, and powdered sugar together. (photo 1)
- Add the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it), salt, and nuts (I used pecans) and mix until fully combined and the dough starts to hold together. I like nuts chopped really small, so I used my Ninja Food Processor. (photo 2 & 3)
- Shape into 1 inch balls with a tablespoon or cookie scoop. (I used a tablespoon cookie scoop). It’s important not to make these cookies too big.
- Place 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Place in the freezer for 5 minutes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until set but not turning brown. Please watch your oven because all ovens are different.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl and roll the cookies in the powdered sugar while they are still warm.
- Allow the cookies to cool again for another 3-5 and roll them, for a second time, in the powdered sugar. Enjoy!
- Store in an air-tight container.
Pro Tip For Baking Gluten-Free Cookies
- Always use a cookie scoop. I use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop. It was a game-changer for me!
- I also like to use Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets. It has a smart grid that makes it super easy to line up your cookies on your baking sheet. I buy it at Walmart.
Gluten-Free Flour
These gluten-free snowball cookies are made with a rice flour cup for cup blend. A cup for cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend is one that already has xanthan gum it.
Most gluten-free all-purpose flour blends have xanthan gum already in them. The xanthan gum helps replace the elasticity and texture of gluten.
Make sure to check to see if the brand of gluten-free flour you are using has xanthan gum in it. If it does, do not add extra xanthan gum to the recipe or you will get gummy cookies!
I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
Tip For Measuring Gluten-Free Flour
Gluten-free flour is different than traditional wheat flour. The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method.
I use a spoon to scoop the flour out of the bag and into the measuring cup. Then I use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup.
Please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup. If you do, you could end up with more flour than is called for in the recipe.
Dairy-Free Baking
I have also included a dairy-free option to the gluten-free snowball cookie recipe. My husband, myself and youngest son are all dairy-free as well. I used Smart Balance butter for the dairy-free option.
These cookies are also made egg-free, so if you use your favorite brand of Vegan butter you would have Vegan snowball cookies.
So, now you too can enjoy a gluten-free and dairy-free snowball cookie. I promise that it is just as delicious dairy-free butter.
Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are almond, cashew or coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Smart Balance butter.
These gluten-free snowball cookies are now one of my family’s favorite Christmas cookies. They are the perfect addition to any Chrismas cookie tray. I love that they look just like little snowballs!
More Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies For You To Try!
- Almond Spritz Cookies {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}
- Gluten-Free Kiss Cookies
- Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
- Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Recipe adapted from Russian Teacakes from Betty Crocker’s 40th Anniversary Cookbook.
Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies {Dairy-Free Option}
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, ,dairy-free use Smart Balance butter, Vegan use or Earth Balance (Vegan) butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour, I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum , (leave out if your flour already has it)
- 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts, (I used pecans), I finely chopped the pecans in a food processor.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- In a large bowl cream butter, pure vanilla extract and powdered sugar together.
- Add the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it), salt, and finely chopped nuts and mix until fully combined and the dough starts to hold together.
- Shape into 1 inch balls with a tablespoon or cookie scoop. It's important not to make these cookies too big. Place 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Place in the freezer for 5 minutes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until set but not turning brown. Please watch your oven because all ovens are different.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 3-5 minutes. Place powdered sugar in a small bowl and roll the cookies in the powdered sugar while they are still warm. Allow the cookies to cool again and roll them for the second time in the powdered sugar. Enjoy!
- Store in an air-tight container.
Notes
- Shape into 1 inch balls with a tablespoon or cookie scoop. (I used a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop). It's important not to make these cookies too big.
- Always use a cookie scoop. It was a game changer for me!
- I like my nuts chopped really small so I used my Ninja Food Processor
- I also like to use Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets. It has a smart grid that makes it super easy to line up your cookies on your baking sheet. I but it at Walmart.
- For dairy-free I used Smart Balance butter.
- For Vegan option use Earth Balance butter or your favorite Vegan butter.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it powdered sugar or granulated sugar used in the dough?
I froze my dough overnight and then baked
Fell completely apart and burnt immediately on the bottom.
Is
powdered suagr
These Russian Teacakes are delicious. My family could not tell they were gluten free. even my granddaughter who is super picky about eating gluten free loved them.
These are wonderful. My family couldn’t tell the were gluten free. Highly recommend.
Hello there. I’m new the GF. When you talk about all purpose gf flour, is that different than almond flour? Can I use almond flour? Thanks and
Hi Emma, yes they are different. GF all-purpose flour is typically a blend of starches/flours (like rice, tapioca). For this recipe, we recommend all-purpose but we do have some almond flour recipes on our site as well!
I found these lacking flavor, and a bit dry. Would try another recipe next time 🙁
Sorry they didn’t turn out for you Rochelle!
What flour did you use? Did you use the exactly amount of all the stated ingredients? The reason I ask is I made these and the are just as good a using regular flour and my family did not even know they were gluten free. When making gluten free its important to use correct ingredients, just in case you didn’t.
How do I get rid of the grittiness I always seem to encounter with gluten-free flour? I made them with Pillsbury GF this time.
Hi Heather, GF flour does have starches/grains that are a bit course. You could try sifting the flour or try using Cup4Cup which is milled a bit finer.
5 stars these are delicious, I can’t stop eating them!😋
Went to a friend’s house for Christmas Cookie Baking day. My husband has a dairy allergy so quickly searched for a dairy free cookie recipe on the spot. Made these. Everyone loved them. My friend asked for the recipe to make more! I am setting up to make more myself. This will be a must for holidays from now on!
Thank you for the delicious and easy recipe. I don’t know why I waited so long to make these, I’ve always liked any of your recipes that I’ve made. These came out perfect (I used the dairy free option and KAF). Thanks again!
is the butter salted or unsalted? the vegan butter I have is salted, should I omit the salt?
Hi Sierra, yes, the butter is unsalted. If using salted, we recommend omitting the extra salt.