Snowball Cookies & Icicle Candy

Many of you may already have this delicious cookie in your recipe arsenal.  It’s an old favorite of mine, and their snowy appearance makes them perfect for Christmas festivities.  I like to compare them to Pecan Sandies, except they are softer and all the more lovely with a generous coat of confectioners’ sugar.  The best part?  They are so easy to make!

Milk and cookies for Santa.

The icicle candy is a little more challenging.  Preparing the candy mixture is easy enough because you make it in the microwave.  I was worried because  (me) + (candy making) (candy thermometer) =  disaster².  I’m not kidding.  I was sure I’d have a big lump of sugary mess stuck to the bottom of my glass measure.  In spite of my phobia, everything went as indicated in the recipe text.  The most challenging part is cutting the candy into strips and twisting them before they harden.

These are really pretty and would make a neat homemade gift.  If you plan to make them for this purpose then I would suggest making a trial batch.  You will learn much the first time around.  I fumbled with re-heating the candy and I twisted some of the candy too tightly.   Now that I know what I’m doing,  I’m ready to make my second batch!  I think they’d be cute in cello bags tied with pretty ribbon.

Snowball Cookies                                     [click for printable]

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

2 cups flour, sifted

1 cup butter softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1 cup powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar; beat until creamy.  Add vanilla extract and mix well.  Add flour and salt.  Mix until partially incorporated and then add nuts.  Mix until a thick, uniform dough forms.  

Roll cookies into 1″ balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet.   Bake for 20 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden and fragrant.  Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool completely on the pan before trying to remove from the baking sheet.

Coat cookies with a generous amount of powdered sugar. 

Icicle Candy                                                                      [click for printable]

Adapted from LorAnn Oils, with my notes added.

12-15 pieces

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 dram flavoring oil such as peppermint or blueberry

Blue food coloring 

White food coloring *optional (I added a drop or two for opacity) 

Disco dust  *optional

Preheat oven to 185 degrees.  Spray a cookie sheet and large knife with cooking spray (I found that a pizza cutter worked very well in place of the knife).

In a 4 cup glass measure, mix sugar and corn syrup together until a thick, uniform paste forms.  Cover with plastic wrap.  Microwave on high for 3 minutes 15 seconds.  Quickly stir mixture and cover with a new piece of plastic wrap.  Microwave for another 3 minutes 15 seconds.  Remove from microwave and stir with a clean spoon.  After the mixture stops boiling, add the food color and flavoring.  The cooked candy mixture will have a golden appearance, so when you add the blue food coloring you will get a blue/green (turquoise) color result.

Pour melted candy onto the prepared pan.  Tilt the sheet to spread the candy to a 6×8 inch puddle.  As the sugar starts to set (one or two minutes after pouring) cut candy into 1/2 x 4 inch strips.  Remove one strip and twist gently.  Allow to cool on wire rack.  Repeat with remaining pieces.  To keep the candy malleable, place in the oven for 1-2 minutes.  You may prefer to keep the cookie sheet heated and work out of the oven.  I found this to be a successful method. When candy pieces harden, lightly coat them with disco dust using a 2″ soft-hair paintbrush.

*This recipe is meant to be prepared in a standard household microwave (600-700 watts).  Mini microwaves and commercial microwaves are not recommended.

*Please use caution when making this recipe.  Candy mixture is extremely hot when in liquid state.

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Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
13 years ago

your food truly is art…so beautiful and perfect for this time of year!

Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
13 years ago

Such pretty treats! I love them both! I adore that clear milk carton too! Where on earth did you find that beauty?

Cookbook Queen
Cookbook Queen
13 years ago

Girl…I am DYING over this post.

In a good way.

That sparkly blue candy!! Gasp!! I die.

The clear milk carton…amazing.

Snowball cookies…mmmmm…

A glittery deer?

It's official. I completely love you.

Shannon
Shannon
13 years ago

I always get excited when I see a new post. This post, as always, rocked. I love the blue candy and the snowy white cookies. And, I mean, really…could that clear milk carton container by ANY CUTER?!

Scarletta @ Scarletta Bakes
Scarletta @ Scarletta Bakes
13 years ago

love. Love. LOVE!!

I cannot WAIT to try the candy icicles – a new obsession is officially born.

Thank you SO much for the awesome post!!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Fantastic post! Love the milk with candy cane straw so much, I feel so Christmasy now! x

lb
lb
13 years ago

mm snowball cookies….my fave!

Amanda
Amanda
13 years ago

Super cool candy idea! I love the blue color and their twisted shape. Awesome!

Larie
Larie
13 years ago

The clear milk carton is so. cute. And the candy is beautiful! I am too scared to try it, though!

Pretty. Good. Food.
Pretty. Good. Food.
13 years ago

I hate to sound like a broken record but I'm dying over the glass milk carton. Where did you buy it?! 🙂

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Thanks you guys! The creamer can be found here:

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/glass-milk-carton-creamer

…and I think Amazon.com sells it too.

We Are Not Martha
We Are Not Martha
13 years ago

I Love snowball cookies and yours are SO pretty 🙂 And while I do love the glass milk carton creamer, I really, really love that gold reindeer. So festive!

Sues

Stephanie
Stephanie
13 years ago

Wonderful post, recipes and pictures! Santa is going to love coming to your house this year!

Jess [tenpenny splendid]
Jess [tenpenny splendid]
13 years ago

Wow I really want to try the icicle candy! I love how they sparkle. And I agree with everyone else..that glass milk carton is adorable!

Lili
Lili
13 years ago

How darling!! Thanks for the info about the glass milk carton. Love those snowball cookies, I have a recipe for Russian tea cakes that looks very similar. I just may have to try my hand at that gorgeous candy. ~Lili

Pattie
Pattie
13 years ago

Oh my word I want to try this! And where did you get that too cute milk carton glass?!?

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

That is cool. I'm so saving these recipes.

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

Snowball cookies are all over for a reason…they're delicious! Yours look so pretty! Your icicle candy looks so amazing. You make the most unique, challenging things!

koralee
koralee
13 years ago

Stunning…I have a cookie exchange to go to…thinking these lovely white treasures may be just the thing I need!

Hugs for a joyful weekend.

Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.
Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.
13 years ago

Beautiful photos! My mom makes a version of these cookies every year! I love all the powdered sugar!

oneordinaryday
oneordinaryday
13 years ago

Your icicle candy is gorgeous. Great job!

Jessica @ How Sweet
Jessica @ How Sweet
13 years ago

OH MY GOSH!! Girl – LOVING the icicles. Gorgeous!

Baking Barrister
Baking Barrister
13 years ago

I actually made the snowballs tonight (different recipe, but basically same amounts)–I have such trouble getting them to stick together, let alone in nice little balls. It's such a crumbly mixture, only kept together by the butter. What is your secret?

JehanP
JehanP
13 years ago

I love snowballs, I use pistachios in mine since I'm not a fan of pecans.

CaSaundraLeigh
CaSaundraLeigh
13 years ago

The pictures you took for this post are just beautiful & the icicle candy is amazing–it almost looks too pretty to eat 🙂

Jun
Jun
13 years ago

I really like your photos! But the snowball cookies reminds me of mochi cakes my auntie made once, long time ago.

Shaina
Shaina
13 years ago

We make these! We don't call them snowballs, but that's a much better name. They're my husband's favorites. I adore that glass milk carton you have. So cute!

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

Those icicles are so cool! The "disco dust" is something i'll have to look for… Love the presentation with the confectioner sugar "snow" and the sparkly reindeer 🙂
And on a side note, that's a really neat milk glass!!

Su-yin
Su-yin
13 years ago

Those icicle candies are so beautiful! What wouldn't I give to get some of that for Christmas! 😉

Ms. Morgan
Ms. Morgan
13 years ago

I enjoy your blog so much. I've even added it to my "favorite reads" list on my website. Hope you have a chance to check it out.

http://epicureanenthusiast.blogspot.com

www.sweetcreationsbystephanie.com
www.sweetcreationsbystephanie.com
13 years ago

I made the icicle candy yesterday..1st batch I burned ..2nd batch was a trial..3rd batch worked out perfectly! Thanks for the recipe. They look great in cello bags with a pretty bow

Trisha
Trisha
13 years ago

I love the icicle candy, looks very elegant. I'm a little overwhelmed by the process but am dying to try it out. Thank you for sharing!

diva
diva
13 years ago

Those icicle candies are just magical! You are making me feel so Christmasy my dear. Love it

linda
linda
13 years ago

you are so very creative…fantastic icicle candy!

btw: cookbook update…please!!

Caroline
Caroline
13 years ago

I just made the icicle candy lasy night – those suckers were HOT! They were easy, though and look so pretty! Thanks for the idea!

Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
13 years ago

Beautiful! I love that milk glass jug in a shape of a traditional milk box–I think I've seen it before, where did you get it?

Susan
Susan
13 years ago

Heather, your snowballs are pretty. I do a bittersweet chocolate version that is fun too.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

WOW, those icicles are very impressive! you are indeed very talented!

Lisa
Lisa
13 years ago

That icicle candy is awesome. I love that cool blue color, just perfect for winter. By the way, I'm holding a giveaway on my blog for Orglamix Organic makeup and you're welcome to come by and enter. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2010/12/orglamix-organic-mineral-makeup-review.html

Gali
Gali
13 years ago

These photos are so full of cute things! I love the little reindeer and the little milk container.

Amanda
Amanda
13 years ago

I love this! I featured it today on my blog – today's top twenty! I'd love if you could stop by! While your there please click on my widget at the top. For every click P&G will donate 1 day's worth of clean water! {Plus you get free samples and coupons!} Talk soon!

Amanda
todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hey all! Thanks for the sweet comments and links. And thanks to those who tried the candy and let me know how it went!! I love hearing from you.

For those asking about the milk carton it can be found here:

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/glass-milk-carton-creamer

and also at Amazon.com.

xxoo
-Heather

Dani
Dani
13 years ago

Besides everything looking delicious, your photography and styling is always amazing. The glittered deer was a good choice. Also thanks for mentioning the milk carton because when I first saw it I thought, 'that is awesome! where is that from??'

Cool Chic Style Fashion
Cool Chic Style Fashion
13 years ago

Delizioso post, ciao !

marla {family fresh cooking}
marla {family fresh cooking}
13 years ago

Heather, this treat is just gorgeous. I like that you went with the cooler tones – the blues and whites are so pretty & a nice change from green & red. Those cookies look like they have the perfect texture & would be great dipped in hot cocoa! xo

Joshua
Joshua
13 years ago

I made these a few days ago, but mine stayed sticky. They were hard and broke easily, but they didn't just melt in your mouth. They ended up becoming a sticky solid mess. How can I remedy this?

Kelly
Kelly
13 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous! The snowball recipe looks like the one my mom has made every year since I can recall. It's wonderful. And the candy is really beautiful. I'd love to give it a go, but think I'll go the stovetop route. My microwave is higher watts and I'd be afraid of ruining it!

Thank you for the recipes!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

To Baking Barrister and Joshua: You both are having problems on opposite ends of the spectrum. It's hard to say exactly what happened, but this makes me think that it has to do with the mixing of the dough. For dough that is a sticky mess: avoid over mixing the ingredients. The dough should be just a little crumbly, but easily packed into a ball. Keep an extra tablespoon or two of sifted flour beside your mixer. If it seems sticky nest time, knead a little flour in until it is workable. If the mixture is too crumbly: I'd definitely… Read more »

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Um, that is *next* time, not nest time. 😎

Tara Byte
Tara Byte
13 years ago

I was Making the cookies and mine also ended up too dry, that it was not holding together. so i read some other recipes for cookies like this and they had more butter so i added more and everything held together great.