Butterball Cookies
This Butterball Cookie recipe has been passed down in my family for three generations. There are no eggs in these cookies and the nuts and powdered sugar (added after baking) are optional. I have been making these Butterball Cookies with my Christmas Cookies for decades now.
These cookies are about as easy as it gets. I like to freeze them and take out what I need just before serving. I also like this recipe because it doesn’t make a huge amount of cookies.
Ingredients
In a medium bowl, cream the
butter with a large spoon.
Add the rest of the ingredients to
the butter except the powdered
sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon.
Once it starts to form a ball, use
your hands to bring it all together.
The warmth of your hands will
make the perfect dough for rolling.
Roll dough into 1” balls and place
them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in a preheated 275 degree
(yes that’s the right temperature)
oven for 40 minutes. Cool cookies
on the pan on a cooling rack.
Once cool, if you would like, roll
in powder sugar or just enjoy as is.
Butterball Cookies
http://www.InDianesKitchen.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1-2 cups powdered sugar, (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
- Cream butter in a medium bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except the powdered sugar) and mix with a large spoon.
- Once the dough starts to form a ball, use your hands to continue mixing. The heat from your hands helps it all stick together.
- Roll into 1” balls and place them onto an ungreased cookie sheet. You can place cookies as close together as you can but don’t let them touch. You should be able to get them all on one cookie sheet.
- Bake for 40 minutes then place the pan (with the cookies still on it) on a cooling rack.
- Once completely cool, if you wish, roll in powdered sugar.
These freeze well. Freeze them without the powdered sugar. When you take them out of the freezer, while still frozen, roll in the powdered sugar if you wish.
Share this:
Categories: Cookies
These look really yummy!!!!
~Kaylyn
Thank you Kaylyn! They are a simple yet delicious cookie!
You’re welcome!
Amazing 😊
Thank you!
It looks so delicious ! Thanks for sharing your family recipe !
Your very welcome! Have a great day!
These sound heavenly. I must try this recipe! Thank you for sharing your special family recipe. 🙂
Thanks a lot for this wonderful vegan receipe! I will surely give them a try.
You’re welcome and enjoy!
These look yummy, like they’d melt in your mouth! Just to let you know, I nominated you for a blog award (on my latest post). 🙂
Awe thank you Marcia! And yes they do melt in your mouth!
Loved it 🙂
They are so delicious! Thank you!
Would that be like a shortbread? It sounds delicious!
Maybe a cross between a shortbread and sugar cookie.
Yummm!
Thanks!
Yum! I am saving this recipe so I don’t forget about it around the holidays. My mom used to make some thing like this, she called them snowballs. Thanks!
You’re welcome and yes I believe they are the same cookie.
My kind of cookie! And we buy similar ones – don’t cringe dear Diane – but from archers way brand – and it’d be nice to make some – would coconut flour work?
I don’t believe it will. Coconut flour is very absorbent and when used in baking requires 1/4 to 1/3 less than any grain flour. In order to compensate eggs are usually added and this recipe doesn’t use eggs…sorry but I don’t think I would do it.
Ok – glad I asked and I think as three holidays get closer I can make room for some white flour – and do you Happen to have any tips on best white flour ? An old post of yours?
I use Gold Medal but I’m not that picky.
ok – good to know! and I know I have said I will be trying a couple things so far – but these ones I am 100% going to try this coming month – keep you posted
These are one of the easiest, quickest cookies you can make. All the cookies can go on one pan.
🙂 thx
I have been making these cookies for many years. They are also referred to Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding cakes, etc. In fact my goal this week to make up a couple of batches and freeze the dough. I do this with all my Christmas cookies. Then I have a major cookie-baking day. Anyway, thanks for the follow and God bless.
These were a tradition in our home as I was growing up — and in my husband’s family… It is also something that kids can help with… In my husband’s family they sometimes put a touch of food coloring in the dough for Christmas… They are delicious!
That is when I usually make them as well. I never thought about food coloring though! What a great idea!!! Thanks!
Oh goodie, HA! I was delighted to discover they weren’t made with turkey . . . 🙂 thought for a moment there . . . ya know?
Hahahaha Thanks for a good giggle this morning! Have a great day Ellie!
A new recipe for Christmas cookies!! I like making several new cookies each Christmas, along of course with our traditional favorites. Bon Appetit Virginia
I only make these for Christmas. They are a huge hit!! Enjoy!
A friend’s son is vegan, and these would be easy to veganize. Always good to have a recipe like that at hand.
You’re welcome and yes they would be very easy to veganize!
Your cookies are very very cute!They remind me of kourabies (Greek traditional Christmas cookies). Check mine Christmas cookies if you wish on https://tetisflakes.com/2017/12/11/greek-christmas-honey-cookies/ . It’s a traditional Greek recipe for Christmas cookies. Happy holidays! 🙂
Thank you Teri! Your cookies look amazing!
I’ve known these cookies by a different name (escapes me at the moment) and I LOVE them!!! Thanks for the recipe. Question: can you use unsalted butter instead?
Thank you and yes you can use unsalted butter.
I have never heard of butterball cookies! You taught me something!
They are not a really sweet cookie and great for the guests that don’t have a big sweet tooth.
So kind of a savory cookie?
No I wouln’t say that, just not super sweet. I would compare it to eating a shortbread cookie compared to a chocolate chip in sweetness.
Ok! Awesome!
I love these cookies, but I add chopped pecans to the batter. Yummy.
Yes a lot of people add nuts. Nuts really enhance the flavor.
Yum! They look and sound soooo delicious!
Thanks they really are delicious.
Doughy…. yummy!!
I love to roll them in powdered sugar. They are melt in your mouth good! Thank you!
You made me hungry…..
My day is complete!
🙌
“This Butterball Cookie recipe has been passed down in my family for three generations.” I love that you share your family secrets with us, make it look easy, simplify the process. You’re the best Diane, C
You are so good for my ego Cheryl….lol Thank you!
What a awesome tasty delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing it.how to make imli chutney
Thank you for your kind words!
These sound like my wife’s grandmother’s cookies, the best cookies ever!
They are called different names but these go way back. I got the recipe from my family as my mom always made them at Christmas. I believe she got the recipe from her mom. They are the best and melt in your mouth!
Reblogged this on and commented:
My great grandmother’s cookies
Awe thank you!
My family calls them Snowball Cookies. They definitely are a favorite!
They are also called a Mexican Wedding Cookie I believe.