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Bright & Buttery Lemon Cream Snowball

Bright & Buttery Lemon Cream Snowball

Bright & Buttery Lemon Cream Snowball is a zesty and creamy dessert featuring a tender, buttery lemon cake combined with a smooth, luscious lemon cream filling. Perfectly balanced with fresh citrus brightness and rich creaminess, this make-ahead treat is visually stunning with its snowball shape and delicate powdered sugar dusting. Ideal for special occasions or a refreshing sweet craving.

  • Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling)
  • Yield: 12-15 snowballs 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)

Lemon Cream Filling Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Lemon Cake Batter: Cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time. Add fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Gradually fold in the flour (or gluten-free blend) to create a smooth, fluffy batter.
  2. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a prepared cake pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  3. Whip the Lemon Cream Filling: Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks, then gently fold in powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth and silky.
  4. Assemble the Snowballs: Crumble the cooled cake into a bowl, mix thoroughly with the lemon cream filling, and shape the mixture into small, round balls. Chill in the refrigerator to set and hold their shape.
  5. Finish with a Dusting: Just before serving, generously dust the lemon cream snowballs with powdered sugar for a snowy, elegant finish.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for a smoother batter and softer cake.
  • Gently fold ingredients to avoid overmixing and keep the cake light and airy.
  • Fresh lemon zest is preferred for the brightest citrus flavor.
  • Refrigerate snowballs to help them hold their shape and improve flavor melding.
  • Sift powdered sugar before dusting to avoid clumps and achieve a delicate finish.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 snowball
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 40 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg

Keywords: lemon dessert, lemon cake, lemon cream, snowball dessert, citrus dessert, buttery cake, make-ahead dessert, gluten-free dessert