Monster Snowball Cookies: 8 Amazing Steps

Introduction to Monster Snowball Cookies

When it is the time for holidays everyone wants to feel warm, happy, and, of course, smell cookies that are baking in the house. During the holidays there are myriads of sweet delicacies, which are irresistible to have, and among them is the Monster Snowball Cookies. These cookies are perfect when incorporating a twist of something old to make it exciting or simply just creative. Bigger, more substantial and containing chocolate chips, nuts or candies in them, Monster Snowball Cookies are perfect for everyone – both kids and adult. They are not simple cookies but a tradition that people come together especially during the holiday seasons to bake happy memories.

The History and Origin of the Recipe

Snowball cookies originated from a long time ago and cookies with similar features appear on most cultures across the world. These dainty cookies were referred to as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies in most of the cookery books; they were made from butter, nuts and rolled into round balls and dusted with powdered sugar in a nifty manner, giving them the ‘snowball’ look. The origins of those cookies are numerous and vary from one cookie to the other. In Russia, it was even considered a delicacy which was taken with tea and in Mexico, it was taken especially during wedding ceremonies and other joyous occasions.

This Monster Snowball Cookie is a modern twist to this classic recipe. As for the source of the so-called “monster”, although uncertain, and again, initially appeared in North America where people who started preparing the usual cookie began to experiment and come up with a more playful and even overly capacious version of the sweet. They took the simple snowball cookie and created the ‘monster cookie’ by adding features such as chocolate chips, nuts and candy-coated chocolates. The recipe has evolved bearing the traditional specialties which are special for holidays and every family has its personal tweaks.

Ingredients and Preparation

For these cute Monster Snowball Cookies, the following are some of the things that are required and mixed to produce a delicious meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped nuts 
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces (like M&M’s)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Optional Additions:

• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for a spiced touch

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make Monster Snowball Cookies

• Cream the Butter plus Sugar: First, in a big bowl, beat the butter with the granulated sugar and use an electric mixer till it gets light and fluffy, the butter should be at room temperature before beating with the sugar. This step is important as it results into a tender cookie which crisps at the edges.
• Add Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and whisk until well incorporated. This is what gives the cookies their unique taste.
• Mix Dry Ingredients: Take another bowl mix the flour and salt together. Add this gradually into the creamed butter and sugar in low speed until you get a dough.
• Incorporate the Mix-ins: Pour in the chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips and candy coated chocolate pieces. Ensure that they are well distributed all the time within this dough. If you are using such other ingredients as coconut which is sometimes used in making macaroons or dried fruits add them at this time.
• Shape the Cookies: As for shaping the dough, take a small portion of it (it is better to start with a spoonful at most) and form a small roundish ball. Put the dough balls onto the lined baking sheet and make sure they are about One Inches apart from one another. They don’t rise much and that means you can put quite a number of these cookies on one sheet.
• Bake: Put the cookies into the heated oven and cook for 12-15 minutes or more until the cookies are rigid and the base the cookies turning lightly brown. They should not be brown on top of and around the nylon.
• Cool and Roll in Powdered Sugar: Afterwards spread the cookies on the baking sheet and let them cool for around 5 minutes. Although after they come out of the oven, you can while they are hot, roll in powdered sugar for that snowball effect. For an added topping of snow, you can return them into the powdered sugar one more time when the cookies have fully cooled.
• Serve and Enjoy:  Arrange the cookies in a beautiful and attractive plate and serve them with another plate. They can also be stored in an airtight container and maintained for a week, and that, too, makes them ideal especially during festive occasions.

Variations and Additions to the Recipe

Monster snowball cookies are perfect in variety and can be used for every occasion. 

• Nut-Free Version: For those of you who are allergic to nuts, you can completely leave out the nuts or replace the nuts with further chocolate chips or dried fruits.
• Double Chocolate: To make a rich chocolate flavor add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the flour mixture. You can also include white chocolate chips for the added sinful twist.
• Spiced Snowballs: For the warm, spiced tone, stir in one teaspoon using cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg into the flour. I like this variation with the cup of hot cocoa; it complements each other so well.

Check Out: Monster Purple Cookies: 5 Unique Ingredients

Tips for Perfectly Delicious Cookies Every Time

• Use Room Temperature Butter: First, ensure that your butter is at room temperature meaning it has become soft. This makes it easy for it to blend well with the sugar, to allow formation of a nice Dough.
• Measure Flour Correctly: Cookies made out of much flour become very tough and this makes them dry. It should be noted that using measuring cups, one should scoop the flour into the cups and then level them using a knife.
• Chill the Dough if Necessary: In case your kitchen is warm and the dough becomes too soft then you can refrigerate it for about 15 minutes. This will assist in the formation of the shape of the cookies when they are being baked.
• Roll Twice in Powdered Sugar: When the cookies are still warm coat them with powdered sugar, then when they are cold do so again and you will get a snowy affect. This is the secret that makes them look like that with this double coating.
• Don’t Overbake: These should be set but not burnt on the top. One should not over bake the cookies since this leads to very dry cookies; thus, monitor them as they bake.

Sharing and Enjoying Monster Snowball Cookies with Loved Ones

Monster Snowball Cookies and not just sweet for your palate but for your hearts because they are a symbol of unity. Preparation of these cookies is a fun and ideal project for everybody to get involved regardless of their age. Your kids or friends too can be useful by helping in rolling the biscuit dough into balls and rolling them in powdered sugar. You can also add something creative using edible glitter or colored sugar for enhancing the outlook of the product.

These cookies are perfect to prepare at home and give as a gift during the holiday times. Put them in fancy tins or containers and add a beautiful ribbon around them then writing the notes by hand for an added touch. Taking baked goodies to the neighbours, colleagues at work place, relatives and friends will help share happiness and joy as we look forward to the sunny season.

Conclusion: Making New Memories with an Old Tradition

Monster snowball cookies are a creative take on an old school snowball cookie; its creation is easy, and it offers novel flavors and food di textural experience. If baked for holidays or to give to someone, these cookies will for sure be a part of the family traditions when it comes to spending time celebrating holidays.

When you bake these cookies and when you share it with your loved ones, you are in fact creating a heritage that you will never outlive. Well, grab your family, turn on the Christmas jingles and get started with this mouthwatering Monster Snowball Cookies recipe.

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