Cherry Snowballs

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min./batch + cooling

Makes

about 3 dozen

Updated: Nov. 30, 2023
A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 36 maraschino cherries, well drained
  • COATING:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 4 cups sweetened shredded coconut, finely chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in water and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, oats and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
  2. Shape 1 tablespoonful of dough around each cherry, forming a ball. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until bottoms are browned, 18-20 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  3. Stir together confectioners' sugar and enough milk to reach a smooth dipping consistency. Dip cookies, then roll in coconut. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 174 calories, 9g fat (7g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.