Butter Nut Balls
Butter Nut Balls are rich, nutty cookies with a tender crumb, coated in a sweet powdered sugar glaze. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and warm vanilla flavor make them perfect for holiday celebrations or as a delightful treat to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend shortening, butter, salt, sugar, and vanilla until well combined.
- Add flour and chopped walnuts to the mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Place the dough in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to chill.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Shape the chilled dough into small balls and place them on a slightly greased cookie sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and sift powdered sugar over the warm cookies.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using half butter and half coconut oil instead of shortening. If you're out of walnuts, pecans make a great substitute. Additionally, chill the dough longer if it's too soft to handle. Be careful not to overbake; the cookies should just be lightly golden for the best flavor. These cookies can also be made gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Serving Suggestions
These Butter Nut Balls are delightful on their own, but you can enhance their appeal by pairing them with a hot cup of tea or coffee. They also make a lovely addition to a holiday cookie platter alongside treats like Butterscotch Graham Squares. For an extra touch, serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Butter Nut Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Place the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Butter Nut Balls contains roughly 1561 calories, with 1g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 151g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (18% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1750mg per serving (76% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies without nuts?
Yes, you can omit the walnuts if you have nut allergies or prefer a nut-free version. The cookies will still have a wonderful buttery flavor. For added texture, consider replacing the walnuts with mini chocolate chips or dried fruit.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when they are lightly golden on the edges but still soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool, so be careful not to overbake them, as this can lead to a dry texture.
Can I add other flavors to the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can experiment with adding different extracts, such as almond or maple, to give the cookies a unique flavor. Additionally, consider mixing in some citrus zest for a refreshing twist or incorporating dried fruits for added sweetness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).