The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
Now let me tell you a little story about coconut snowball cookies.
The very first winter I spent in the U.S., I experienced real American holiday baking the kind where the kitchen smells like vanilla, butter, and magic. While everyone else was shaping sugar cookies and rolling gingerbread dough, I was craving something that reminded me of both France and my new American home. A cookie that felt like a warm hug but looked like a snowflake. Something soft, cozy, and delightfully sweet.
So I took my favorite coconut treats from childhood, mixed them with the American idea of a “snowball cookie,” and voilà coconut snowball cookies were born right in my tiny apartment kitchen. They quickly became a winter tradition, one my friends beg for every December. Seriously, these little snowy bites disappear faster than fresh snowfall on a sunny day!
These coconut snowball cookies are buttery, tender, and absolutely irresistible little melt-in-your-mouth balls rolled in powdered sugar and packed with coconut flavor. Whether you’re making them for cookie swaps, gifting, or enjoying by the fire with a hot cocoa, they bring joy in every bite.
And if you know me by now, you know I love simple recipes with big personality. These are exactly that charming, nostalgic, and oh-so-delicious. So grab your mixing bowl and let’s bring a little winter magic to your kitchen!
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: About 50 minutes
- Yields: 24–30 cookies
🛒 Ingredients
You only need a handful of pantry staples to create these soft, snowy delights:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Extra powdered sugar for rolling (about 1 cup)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon coconut extract for extra coconut flavor
- Optional: ½ cup finely chopped pecans or almonds for crunch
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with ½ cup powdered sugar until fluffy and pale. This step gives your coconut snowball cookies that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
2. Add the extracts
Mix in the vanilla extract (and coconut extract if using). The aroma alone feels like a tropical winter escape!
3. Fold in the dry ingredients
Add the flour and salt. Mix until just combined don’t overwork the dough. Then stir in the shredded coconut and nuts (optional). The dough will be soft but not sticky.
4. Chill the dough
Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
5. Shape the snowballs
Scoop small spoonfuls of dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet about an inch apart.
6. Bake
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10–12 minutes. The bottoms should be lightly golden but the tops should remain pale like tiny snow-covered hills.
7. Roll in powdered sugar
Let the cookies cool for 2–3 minutes (just until they’re safe to handle), then gently roll them in powdered sugar. When they’re fully cooled, roll them again for maximum snowy beauty.
8. Serve & enjoy!
Each bite is buttery, tender, and full of coconut charm perfect with coffee, cocoa, or a holiday movie.
Serving Suggestions 🍪✨
These coconut snowball cookies are delightful on their own, but here are a few fun ways to serve them:
- With hot chocolate topped with whipped cream for the coziest winter evening.
- As part of a holiday cookie platter alongside gingerbread, peppermint bark, and classic chocolate chip cookies.
- Packaged in tins with parchment paper for thoughtful homemade gifts.
- Warm and fresh with a sprinkle more coconut on top for extra texture.
- Dipped halfway in melted white chocolate for a touch of elegance.
📝 Notes
- For extra coconut flavor, add ½ teaspoon coconut extract.
- Use finely shredded coconut for the smoothest cookie texture.
- You can freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months bake straight from the freezer and add 1–2 extra minutes.
- Want perfectly round cookies? Roll them gently with slightly cold hands.
- These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container for 5–7 days.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Cookie)
Approximate values:
- Calories: 120
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
Recipe Card 🧁✨
Coconut Snowball Cookies
Ingredients:
- Butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, flour, shredded coconut, salt
- Optional coconut extract + nuts
- Extra powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions:
- Cream butter + sugar
- Add extracts
- Mix in dry ingredients + coconut
- Chill 20 minutes
- Shape into balls
- Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes
- Roll in powdered sugar twice
Enjoy your snowy, coconut-kissed treats!
Conclusion
There’s something truly magical about coconut snowball cookies the way they melt on your tongue, the lightly sweet coconut aroma, the soft snowy coating of powdered sugar. They’re simple, nostalgic, and wonderfully festive.
When I make these, I always think back to that first winter when I combined a little piece of France with my new American traditions. Every batch feels like a blend of old memories and new joy and I hope these cookies bring the same warmth into your home.
So put on some music, pour yourself something cozy, and bake a little sweetness into your day. ❄️💛