Schneeball (pastry)

A Schneeball (plural Schneebälle), also known as a snowball, is a pastry made from shortcrust pastry that is especially popular in the area of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, Germany. Its name derives from its spherical, snowball-like shape.

The dough consists of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and sometimes cream, as well as plum schnaps or kirschwasser. It is rolled out thinly, cut into strips, and then loosely formed into a ball. The finished Schneebälle are deep-fried until golden brown and then traditionally dusted with powdered sugar. They are also often coated with cinnamon sugar, chocolate, marzipan, nuts, or other toppings.

While Schneebälle were traditionally reserved for special occasions, they are now available year-round and are a popular tourist souvenir in the Rothenburg area. The pastry is known for its crumbly texture and long shelf life. Due to their dense composition, Schneebälle are typically eaten by breaking off pieces rather than biting directly into the ball.