The Best Cookie Balls (Super Easy and Delicious Recipe!)

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Ever tried Cookie Balls that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside? That's exactly what you get with this recipe! The blend of sugar, brown sugar, and orange zest creates a sweet and tangy flavor profile that's simply irresistible. And let's not forget the toasted walnuts that add a wonderful crunch and nutty undertone to these delightful treats.

Cookie balls are one of the easiest and most delicious dessert snacks out there! They're simple, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Whether it is a party, a holiday, or just an ordinary day, these cookie balls are sure to bring a smile to everyone's face. Plus, they're made with basic ingredients making them easy to whip up anytime.

What’s best is that they taste as good as they look, with their crunchy exterior and soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Plus, the orange zest and extract take them to the next level! You’re going to love them!

Want to learn how to make this cookie ball recipe? Then keep on reading.

Cookie balls are a delicious treat that combines the best of cookies and cake pops. They are essentially cookies shaped into balls and baked until golden perfection. This unique take on traditional cookie recipes is sure to bring a fun twist to your baking routine.

What’s best is that this recipe is incredibly easy to make and you can also switch up the flavors however you like! Add in other nuts, change up the extracts, or even add some chocolate chips to it! Regardless of how you make these, you’re going to love this classic cookie ball recipe!

Table of Contents

What are Cookie Balls?
What Makes This Cookie Ball Recipe Special?
What You Need to Make Cookie Balls at Home
How to Make Cookie Balls (Step-by-Step)
Tips for Making the Best Cookie Balls Ever
Serving Suggestions for Cookie Balls
Recipe Variation Ideas for Cookie Balls
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store Leftover Cookie Balls
Similar Recipes You'll Love
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The Best Cookie Balls (Super Easy and Delicious Recipe!)
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Versatile: The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can easily substitute the orange zest with lemon or lime, or even add in chocolate chips or dried cranberries for a different spin. The choice is yours!

Delicious: The combination of unsalted butter, brown sugar, and pure vanilla extract creates a mouth-watering, buttery sweetness. The addition of orange zest adds a surprising twist of citrus, while the walnuts provide a satisfying crunch.

Crowd pleaser: Whether it is a family gathering, a potluck, or a holiday party, these cookie balls are sure to impress. Easy to serve and even easier to eat, they're the perfect bite-sized treat for any occasion.

Cookie balls are a delicious treat that combines the best of cookies and cake pops.

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this cookie ball recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

Butter: The unsalted butter, softened for easy mixing, provides the rich, buttery flavor that makes these cookie balls irresistible.
Sugar: Regular sugar sweetens the cookie dough, while also helping to create a crisp, golden exterior.
Brown Sugar: Adds a depth of flavor with its molasses notes and contributes to a chewier texture in the cookies.
Sea Salt: A hint of sea salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors, while also aiding in browning.
Egg Yolks: Using room-temperature egg yolks guarantees that they blend smoothly into the dough, adding richness and helping with structure.
Pure Vanilla Extract: This gives our cookie balls a classic, sweet aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
Orange Extract: A touch of orange extract adds a bright, citrus note that compliments the sweetness of the cookies.
Orange: The zest of fresh oranges adds a tangy freshness that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients.
Walnuts: Toasted and finely chopped, walnuts add a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cookie dough.
Baking Powder: This is the leavening agent in the recipe, helping the cookies to rise and become light and fluffy.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our cookies, flour provides the structure and helps to bind all the ingredients together.
Powdered Sugar: Used in the coating for our cookie balls, powdered sugar gives a sweet, snowy finish that looks as good as it tastes.

Making these incredible cookie balls is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

Start your cookie-making process by preheating your oven to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is an essential step as it helps make sure that the oven is at the right temperature for the cookies to bake evenly.

Once your oven is preheated, place your walnuts on a baking tray and toast them in the oven for about five minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Once the walnuts are toasted to a golden brown color, remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool.

While your walnuts are cooling, take a large bowl and sift all your dry ingredients into it. These include flour, salt, and baking powder. Sifting helps to aerate the ingredients and remove any lumps.

After sifting, mix these ingredients together until they're well combined, and then set your bowl aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on high speed. Continue until the mixture is creamed and has become a light pale color. This process incorporates air into the mixture and helps give your cookies their fluffy texture.

Reduce the mixing speed to low and carefully add the egg yolks, vanilla and orange extract, orange zest, and your cooled, finely chopped walnuts. These ingredients add flavor and richness to your cookies.

Now, it is time to incorporate your dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture half a cup at a time. This gradual addition prevents the formation of lumps and ensures a smooth dough.

Once your dough is ready, use a scoop that measures about one and a half inches to portion out your cookie dough. Roll each portion into a ball using your hands.

Place the cookie dough balls onto a non-greased baking sheet. Bake your cookies for approximately twenty minutes, or until the edges are a light golden color.

Bake your cookies for approximately twenty minutes, or until the edges are a light golden color.

As soon as your cookies are baked and still hot, roll them in powdered sugar. This gives them a sweet, delicious coating. After this, place your cookies onto a cooling rack to cool. By the time they're cool, they'll be ready to enjoy!

Your delicious Cookie Balls are ready to serve!

Cookie balls are one of the easiest and most delicious dessert snacks out there! They're simple, delicious, and perfect for any occasion.

Preheat the oven: Always start by preheating your oven to the specified temperature, in this case, to a moderate heat of around 350 F. This helps guarantee even cooking from the moment your cookie balls hit the oven.

Toast your nuts: Toasting the walnuts in the oven for about five minutes enhances their flavor and adds a nice crunch to your cookie balls. Remember to let them cool before adding to your mix.

Sift your dry ingredients: To guarantee a smooth and evenly mixed dough, begin by sifting together your dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking powder. This also helps prevent any lumps in your cookie balls.

Gradually add flour: Add your flour mixture to the dough in increments, about a half cup at a time. This method helps the flour to incorporate better, resulting in a smoother dough.

Roll while hot: Be sure to roll your baked and still hot cookie balls in powdered sugar. The heat from the cookies will slightly melt the sugar, creating a sweet, crispy outer layer as they cool.

For an early morning delight, pair these citrusy cookie balls with your favorite cup of coffee. The nutty and zesty flavors of the cookie will complement the bitterness of the coffee, giving a refreshing start to your day.
If you're in for a mid-day treat, serve these cookie balls with a glass of cold milk. The creaminess of the milk perfectly balances the crunchiness of the toasted walnuts and the sweetness of the cookie balls.
They can also be a convenient snack on the go. Just pop them in a little snack bag and enjoy these delicious treats anytime, anywhere.
For a festive touch during the holiday season, serve these cookie balls with a mug of hot chocolate. The blend of citrus, nutty flavors, and warm, rich cocoa will definitely bring a sense of cheer and warmth.

This delicious cookie ball recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

Oreo Cookie Balls: If you love Oreos, then you’ll love this variation! Simply coat the cookies in some crushed Oreos for a delicious Oreo treat! Trust me, they’ll taste great.

Peanut Butter Balls: You can even add some peanut butter to your cookie ball batter and coat them in peanuts for a delicious nutty treat!

Christmas cookie balls: A great festive idea is to cover these cookies with sprinkles or mini chocolate chips! They’re absolutely delicious and will make great gifts. You can even dip it in melted chocolate or white chocolate.

Make it festive: For another festive flavor, add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the batter and replace the walnuts with crushed candy canes or use any other candy coating!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of flour?

This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which is a versatile choice for most baking recipes. If you wish to experiment, you could use other types of flour, but keep in mind that this might affect the texture and taste of your cookie balls.

How do I know when the cookie balls are done?

The cookie balls should be baked until the edges are light golden. This usually takes around twenty minutes. Be careful not to overbake them, as they may become too dry.

Why should I roll the cookie balls in powdered sugar while they are still hot?

Rolling the hot cookie balls in powdered sugar helps the sugar to stick better, giving your cookies a sweet, snowy finish. Let them cool on a rack after this step.

Can I use other extracts instead of orange?

Yes, you can. The orange extract gives a unique flavor to these cookie balls, but you can experiment with other extracts like almond or lemon for a different flavor profile. Just remember to adjust the amount accordingly.

If you have any leftovers, you can easily store them! First things first, let your cookie balls cool to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container. You can layer them with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Pop the container in the fridge, and they'll stay fresh for up to a week.

What’s best is that you can even freeze them! In fact, it is a great way to have a quick dessert on hand for unexpected guests or late-night cravings. To freeze your cookie balls, place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours.

Once they're frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll stay good for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, you can either let them thaw at room temperature or reheat them in the oven.