Jolly Holiday Festive Snowball Cookies Recipe for Winter Joy

Winter’s charm sparkles through these melt-in-your-mouth festive snowball cookies that dance with powdered sugar elegance.

Holiday baking reaches peak perfection with this classic treat that delights every gathering.

Buttery and delicate, these round cookies crumble softly with each delectable bite.

Generations have cherished this simple yet magical recipe passed down through kitchens.

Rich with pecans and dusted generously with confectioners’ sugar, these cookies bring warmth to cold winter evenings.

Crafted with love and minimal ingredients, they promise to become your new seasonal favorite.

Let the sweet memories begin with these irresistible snowball cookies that celebrate winter’s delightful spirit.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 24

Snowball Cookie Ingredients to Stock Up On

• Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation with luxurious mouthfeel and helps cookies hold shape.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate sweetness and contributes to tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting depth and rounds out overall cookie taste.
• Peppermint Extract: Delivers cool, refreshing minty sensation perfect for holiday baking.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie's foundational structure and ensures perfect crumbly consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances complex flavor profile.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Introduces delightful chocolate bursts and textural intrigue.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates beautiful snowy coating and adds extra sweetness to cooled cookies.
• Green or Red Sanding Sugar: Optional festive decoration that brings playful holiday spirit.

Bakeware for Minty Snowball Cookies

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and comfortably.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking Sheet: Needed for evenly baking cookie dough balls.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures cookies don't stick and makes cleanup easy.
• Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Small Bowl: Useful for rolling cookies in powdered sugar.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for folding in chocolate chips and mixing dough.

Bake Snowball Cookies with That Melty Center

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab a mixing bowl and blend softened butter with powdered sugar until it becomes super fluffy and creamy. Splash in some vanilla and peppermint extracts for thatal wintery flavor. Gently fold in flour and mix until everything comes together smoothly.

• Create Delightful Dough Balls

Using your hands, roll the dough into adorable bite-sized spheres. Don’t worry about making them perfectly round – rustic is charming! Place these little gems onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, giving them a little breathing room.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookie sheet into a preheated oven at 350F. Watch carefully as they transform from soft dough to delicate treats. They’re done when they look set but haven’t turned golden brown – about 10-12 minutes.

• Sugar Explosion

While the cookies are still warm, gently roll them in powdered sugar. This is where the happens! For extra festivity, mix in some green or red sanding sugar. Once they’ve cooled slightly, give them another luxurious sugar bath for that beautiful snowball effect.

• Store and Enjoy

Tuck these delightful treats into an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for about a week – if they last that long!

Tips for Getting the Right Minty Finish

• Helpful Baking Insights
• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create more compact, perfectly round snowballs.
• Gently fold chocolate chips to ensure even spread without breaking the delicate cookie dough structure.
• Use a fine-mesh sieve when dusting cookies for an elegant, even coating that looks professionally finished.
• Replace butter with vegan margarine and use gluten-free flour blend for celiac or dairy-free guests, maintaining the recipe's delightful texture and flavor.
• Experiment with different extract variations like almond, orange, or lavender to create unique seasonal cookie experiences that surprise and delight friends and family.

Serve Snowballs with a Dusting of Cheer

• Winter Holiday Platter: Arrange these delicate minty snowballs on a festive white ceramic plate, sprinkled with extra powdered sugar to mimic fresh snow.
• Cookie Gift Packaging: Pack these treats in clear cellophane bags tied with red or green ribbons, perfect for holiday gifting or creating charming homemade presents for friends and family.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside hot peppermint cocoa or creamy vanilla bean ice cream to complement the cookie's cool mint chocolate flavor profile and create a luxurious sweet experience.
• Festive Beverage Companion: Enjoy these cookies with a warm cup of chai tea or espresso, where the mint and chocolate notes will beautifully enhance the drink's rich undertones.

Store Minty Cookies Without Losing Texture

• Store cookies in a single layer inside a cool, dark pantry to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling. Avoid direct sunlight or warm spots that could soften their perfect shape.
• These minty snowballs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them carefully in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to keep their delightful powdery coating intact.
• Choose an airtight ceramic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Line the container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain the cookies' delicate powdered sugar coating.
• Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly, ensuring easy rolling and shaping.

FAQs

• Why are these called snowball cookies?

These cookies get their name from their round shape and powdery white coating that resembles small snowballs, similar to traditional Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes.

• Can I use different extracts if I don't like peppermint?

Yes, you can substitute the peppermint extract with almond extract or vanilla extract for a different flavor profile while maintaining the cookie’s soft texture.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Keep the dough chilled before shaping and ensure your butter is at the right temperature – softened but not melted. This helps maintain the cookie’s compact, round shape during baking.

• Are mini chocolate chips necessary for this recipe?

While mini chocolate chips add nice texture and flavor, they are optional. You can omit them or replace with chopped nuts like pecans or almonds if you prefer.

Festive Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Holiday cookie enthusiasts will adore these Minty Snowball Cookies, a festive treat blending cool peppermint with buttery shortbread. Delicate powdered sugar coating and refreshing mint flavor make these cookies a delightful winter dessert you’ll savor with each bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (135 g) mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• Green or red sanding sugar (optional, for a festive touch)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather mixing bowl, parchment-lined baking sheet, measuring tools, and electric mixer for efficient cookie crafting.
2. Creaming: Whip butter and powdered sugar until transformed into a pale, fluffy mixture, creating a silky foundation for the dough.
3. Flavor Infusion: Blend vanilla and peppermint extracts thoroughly, ensuring aromatic essence permeates the entire mixture.
4. Dough Formation: Integrate flour and salt, gently folding until a cohesive dough emerges, avoiding excessive mixing that could compromise texture.
5. Chocolate Integration: Fold mini chocolate chips throughout the dough, guaranteeing a consistent chocolate experience in each morsel.
6. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C), allowing complete temperature stabilization before baking commences.
7. Cookie Shaping: Craft uniform 1-inch spheres with gentle, consistent pressure, maintaining smooth, symmetric cookie shapes.
8. Baking Process: Arrange cookie balls on prepared sheet, maintaining slight separation to prevent merging during baking.
9. Baking and Cooling: Bake 10-12 minutes until set but not browned, then rest for 5 minutes to stabilize structure.
10. First Sugar Coating: While warm, delicately roll cookies in powdered sugar, creating an initial light dusting.
11. Optional Decoration: Optionally incorporate green or red sanding sugar for festive visual appeal.
12. Final Sugar Coating: After complete cooling, execute a second powdered sugar roll for a luxurious, snow-like finish.
13. Storage: Preserve cookies in an airtight container, maintaining freshness for up to one week at room temperature.

Notes

Customize Texture Carefully: Avoid overmixing dough to prevent dense, tough cookies; mix ingredients just until combined for a light, crumbly texture.

Manage Mint Intensity: Adjust peppermint extract quantity based on personal preference; start with less and gradually increase for balanced flavor without overwhelming mintiness.

Achieve Perfect Shape: Use consistent, gentle pressure when forming cookie balls to ensure uniform size and smooth exterior, which helps cookies bake evenly and look professional.

Temperature Control Matters: Allow cookies to cool slightly before first powdered sugar coating to help sugar adhere better and create a smooth, even layer without clumping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg