Zesty Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies Recipe: Sweet Winter Joy

Soft, powdery snowball cookies bring winter magic right to your kitchen with this delightful lemon cardamom snowball cookies recipe that marries tangy citrus with warm, aromatic spices.

These delicate morsels melt in your mouth, creating a sensational blend of flavors that dance across your palate.

The subtle hint of cardamom adds unexpected depth to the classic snowball cookie tradition.

Each buttery bite promises a whimsical escape from ordinary desserts.

Rich, crumbly, and generously dusted with confectioners’ sugar, these cookies turn a simple treat into an elegant indulgence.

Bake a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the cookie plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 134 kcal

Servings: 22

What’s Inside Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation that creates tender cookie texture with smooth melting quality.
• Powdered Sugar: Delivers delicate sweetness and contributes to soft, melt-in-mouth cookie consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structural integrity and ensures perfect cookie crumb with light, delicate profile.

• Cardamom: Introduces warm, aromatic spice with complex Mediterranean essence that elevates traditional cookie profile.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes that cut through richness and add refreshing dimension to cookie.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounded sweetness that complements other ingredients harmoniously.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides elegant, snow-like coating that adds visual appeal and extra touch of sweetness.
• Salt: Balances flavors and enhances overall taste complexity of cookie.
• Fresh Lemon Zest: Optional garnish that adds vibrant color and intensifies citrus notes for final presentation.

Baking Tools for Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies

• Medium bowl: Essential for mixing butter, sugar, and other ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
• Large spoon or spatula: Helps mix flour into the dough without overmixing.
• Measuring tablespoon: Ensures consistent and evenly sized cookie dough balls.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for easy cookie baking and cleanup.
• Small bowl: Dedicated for rolling cookies in powdered sugar after baking.
• Cooling rack or platter: Allows cookies to cool completely and set their shape.

Follow These Steps for Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies

• Kitchen Preparation

Gather all baking tools and ingredients, ensuring a clean workspace with room temperature butter.

• Dough Mixing

Combine softened butter with powdered sugar in a bowl, blending until smooth and creamy, then gently fold in lemon zest and cardamom for a delicate flavor profile.

• Texture Formation

Slowly incorporate flour into the butter mixture, creating a soft, pliable dough that holds together without crumbling.

• Cookie Shaping

Carefully form small, uniform balls of dough, rolling them between your palms to create perfect round shapes that will bake evenly.

• Baking Process

Place cookie balls on a lined baking sheet, sliding them into a preheated oven at a gentle temperature, watching carefully to achieve a delicate golden edges without browning.

• Sugar Coating

After allowing cookies to rest briefly, tenderly roll each one in a cloud of powdered sugar, creating a soft, elegant white exterior that melts in your mouth.

• Final Touches

Let cookies cool completely, adding an extra dusting of sugar if desired, and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy finish.

• Storage

Keep these delicate treats in an airtight container, preserving their melt-in-your-mouth texture and delightful flavor for several days.

Customize Your Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies

• Transform this classic recipe with creative twists that'll delight your taste buds.
• Replace lemon zest with orange or lime zest for a vibrant citrus variation that adds unexpected brightness to your cookies.
• Mix in ground ginger or nutmeg alongside cardamom to create a more complex, warming flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Fold in finely chopped pistachios or almonds into the dough for a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that complements the delicate cookie base.
• Dust cookies with vanilla-infused powdered sugar or sprinkle edible silver/gold shimmer dust for an elegant, festive presentation that makes your treats look professionally crafted.

Serving Ideas for Snowball Cookies with Lemon & Cardamom

• Pair with Tea Time Treat: Serve these delicate snowball cookies alongside a hot cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a delightful afternoon snack.
• Create Dessert Platter: Arrange these cookies with other light pastries like shortbread or madeleines for an elegant after-dinner sweet selection.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle extra fresh lemon zest on top or add a light dusting of edible lavender for a beautiful presentation that enhances the citrusy cardamom flavor.
• Gift Packaging Idea: Pack these cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift that showcases their delicate powdered sugar coating.

Preserve Your Lemon Cardamom Cookies Right

• Maximize Freshness: Store these delicate lemon cardamom snowball cookies in an airtight container to maintain their delightful texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Extend Enjoyment: Keep cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring they remain soft and deliciously crumbly throughout the week.
• Freeze for Later: Carefully pack cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and store for up to 3 months for a quick sweet treat anytime.
• Revive and Refresh: When ready to serve frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes and dust with an extra layer of powdered sugar to restore their original magical appearance.

Buttery Lemon Cardamom Snowball Cookies

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4.5 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Delicate lemon cardamom snowball cookies blend zesty citrus with warm spice for a luxurious winter treat. Sweet, buttery rounds dusted with powdered sugar melt smoothly, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (130g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113g) butter (plant-based or regular), softened
• ⅓ cup (40g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 lemon zest (large or 2 small)
• ½ tsp lemon extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar (for topping)
• Lemon zest (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 325°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal surface for cookie formation.
2. Create Butter Base: Cream butter and powdered sugar until silky smooth, developing a rich foundational mixture for the cookies.
3. Enhance Flavor Profile: Incorporate salt, vanilla, almond extract, ground cardamom, and lemon zest, infusing the dough with aromatic complexity.
4. Form Dough: Gently fold flour into the mixture, stirring until a consistent, compact dough emerges with a uniform texture.
5. Shape Cookies: Roll dough into petite, symmetrical spheres, maintaining precision in size and configuration for even baking.
6. Initial Baking: Arrange cookie spheres on prepared sheet, positioning them with slight separation, and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden.
7. Sugar Coating Process: Remove cookies from oven and allow brief cooling, then delicately tumble each warm cookie in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Finishing Touches: Transfer coated cookies to cooling rack, optionally applying a second sugar dusting for enhanced visual appeal and sweetness.
9. Presentation and Storage: Optionally garnish with additional lemon zest, then preserve in airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness up to 5 days.

Notes

• Chill Dough for Precision: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent sticky hands and ensure more uniform cookie balls.
• Master the Sugar Coating: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar immediately after baking for the best adhesion and classic snowball look.
• Handle with Care: Use a light touch when shaping and coating to maintain the delicate texture of these melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
• Zest Freshness Matters: Grate lemon zest just before adding to the recipe to capture the most vibrant citrus oils and maximum flavor punch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 134
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg