Description
Lemon Cream Snowball Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for the holiday season. Featuring a soft buttery cookie infused with lemon zest and a luscious lemon cream cheese filling, these cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. The combination of tangy lemon and creamy filling makes them an irresistible festive delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp lemon zest
Lemon Cream Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
Coating
- Extra powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Prepare the lemon cream filling: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Mix until fully combined, then chill the filling in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Make the cookie dough: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and lemon zest, mixing well. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt to form a soft dough.
- Assemble the cookies: Flatten a tablespoon-sized portion of dough in your hand. Place about ½ teaspoon of chilled lemon cream filling in the center, then carefully roll the dough around the filling into a smooth ball, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed.
- Bake the cookies: Place the filled dough balls onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them apart. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft.
- Coat with powdered sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, then roll in powdered sugar a second time for a snowy finish.
Notes
- Chilling the filling helps prevent it from melting out during baking.
- Handle the dough gently to keep the cookies tender and prevent cracking.
- Double rolling in powdered sugar gives the classic snowball appearance and extra sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, increase lemon zest slightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lemon cookies, snowball cookies, cream cheese filling, holiday cookies, melt-in-your-mouth dessert, lemon cream cookies, festive treats
