Here’s a full big recipe for the cookies in your photo – they look like Middle Eastern/Mediterranean snowball cookies (Ka’ak, Ghraybeh, or Mexican Wedding Cookies). They are buttery shortbread-like cookies filled with nuts (like walnuts, almonds, or pecans), rolled in powdered sugar.

✨ Traditional Snowball Cookies Recipe

📝 Introduction

Snowball cookies are beloved around the world, known for their soft, crumbly texture and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. Covered in a blanket of powdered sugar, they resemble tiny snowballs, making them a festive treat for holidays, weddings, and family gatherings. With roots stretching across cultures – from Mexican Polvorones, Middle Eastern Ka’ak bi Loz, to Greek Kourabiedes – these cookies have traveled far and wide, uniting people with their universal charm.

Their buttery dough, paired with the crunch of roasted nuts, creates a perfect balance of richness and lightness. Whether served with a cup of mint tea, coffee, or warm milk, snowball cookies remain a timeless classic.

🥗 Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
1 tsp vanilla extract (or rose/orange blossom water for Middle Eastern flavor)
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds (lightly roasted)
¼ tsp salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prepare the dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts.
Shape the cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into small balls.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden (the tops should remain pale).
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
Sugar coating
- While still warm, roll the cookies gently in powdered sugar.
- Allow to cool completely, then roll again for a snowy effect.

🏺 History

Snowball cookies date back centuries, appearing in many cultures under different names:

Middle East & North Africa – known as Ghraybeh or Ka’ak, often flavored with rose water and almonds.
Spain & Latin America – called Polvorones due to their powdery texture.
Greece – Kourabiedes, traditionally served at weddings and holidays.
Mexico & USA – “Mexican Wedding Cookies” became popular in the 20th century.

Each version carries the same essence: celebration, family, and sweetness shared.

💎 Benefits

Simple & wholesome: Made with pantry basics – butter, flour, nuts, and sugar.
Energy booster: Nuts provide healthy fats and protein.
Festive & versatile: Perfect for holidays, Eid, Christmas, weddings, or tea time.
Cultural connection: A cookie that unites traditions from around the globe.

🏗️ Formation (Texture & Shape)

Round like little snowballs.
Soft, crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Covered in a delicate sugar coating that enhances the flavor.

🧾 Nutrition (per cookie, approx.)

Calories: 120
Fat: 8g (mostly healthy fats from nuts)
Carbs: 11g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 2g

(Values may vary depending on nut choice and size.)

❤️ Lovers of This Cookie

Families – passed down through generations as a holiday tradition.
Children – they love the sweet, snowy look.
Tea & coffee lovers – pairs perfectly with a warm drink.
Couples – often served at weddings as a symbol of sweetness in life.

📌 Methods Recap

Cream butter & sugar.
Add flavoring, flour, salt, and nuts.
Roll into balls.
Bake until lightly golden.
Coat in powdered sugar – twice.

🌟 Conclusion

Snowball cookies are more than just a treat; they are a piece of history and tradition wrapped in sweetness. With their crumbly texture, nutty heart, and snowy sugar coating, they symbolize love, festivity, and togetherness.

Whether you call them Ka’ak, Kourabiedes, Polvorones, or Wedding Cookies, they remain a global favorite – a cookie for all ages and all occasions.

✨ To cookie lovers everywhere – may every bite bring you joy, warmth, and memories worth sharing.

Would you like me to also write a Moroccan-style version of these snowball cookies (Ka’ak bi Loz / almond cookies) with orange blossom water, since you’re in Morocco?