Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand with a sturdy spoon.Add the vanilla extract and salt, mixing to combine.Gradually add the flour, mixing just until incorporated.Fold in the chopped nuts evenly through the dough.Optional: For easier handling and better texture, chill the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Using your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops are still pale.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Place them on a cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, gently roll the cookies in powdered sugar again for that classic snowy coating.
Notes
Use room temperature butter: This helps the dough come together smoothly and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Chill the dough: While optional, chilling the dough for 30 minutes makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Nuts: Toasting the nuts lightly before chopping adds extra flavor and crunch. Feel free to use almonds, walnuts, pecans, or a mix depending on your preference.
Powdered sugar coating: Don’t skip the second roll in powdered sugar! The double coating gives these cookies their signature snowy look and adds that extra touch of sweetness.
Baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies! They should be just lightly golden on the bottom but remain pale on top for the best delicate texture.
*Percent Daily Values (%DV) based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Butter is the dominant contributor to both calories and saturated fat, accounting for most of the cookie’s richness and tender texture.
Ground almonds add additional fat (mostly unsaturated), a bit of protein, and trace minerals.
Powdered sugar supplies nearly all of the added sugars, especially from the exterior coating.
Nutrition Estimated Facts — Italian Wedding Cookies
(Serving size: 1 cookie (~20 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 95 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 6 g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 18% |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 35 mg | 2% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9 g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% |
| Total Sugars | 4 g | — |
| Added Sugars | 3.5 g | 7% |
| Protein | 1.5 g | 3% |
| Calcium | 10 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 45 mg | 1% |