Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday treat with a fun, festive twist, you’re going to fall for these Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies! Picture this: soft, buttery shortbread-style cookies filled with refreshing mint, studded with chocolate chips, kissed with a delicate hint of green, and cloaked in a blizzard of powdered sugar. They melt in your mouth, leave behind a cool chocolatey finish, and are just as stunning on a Christmas tray as they are as a simple after-dinner delight. It’s amazingly easy to enjoy a bite of wintry magic with these beauties!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather just a handful of straightforward staples, each playing a starring role in crafting the perfect taste and texture of Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies. Here’s how every ingredient makes these cookies a memorable treat!

• Unsalted butter (softened): Brings rich flavor and creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all crave in snowball cookies.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps make the cookies extra tender and light.
• Peppermint extract: Adds a cool, refreshing minty zing that makes these cookies unquestionable crowd-pleasers.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with warm, classic notes that balance the mint beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, giving just enough structure to hold those chocolate chips in place.
• Salt: A little salt keeps the sweetness in check and deepens every bite.
• Mini chocolate chips: Tiny bursts of chocolate throughout each cookie—the perfect partner to mint.
• Finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): For extra crunch and a warm, nutty contrast to the cool mint.
• Green food coloring (optional): A few drops for a playful, snowy-green color, though the cookies will taste just as delicious without it!
• Extra powdered sugar for rolling: Essential for that classic powdery, snowball finish that makes these cookies so distinctive.

How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Set the Oven

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step keeps your Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies from sticking and ensures they bake up perfectly golden on the bottom. It also makes cleanup a breeze!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step creates those delicate, airy cookies, so don’t rush—give it at least two to three minutes. You’re looking for a pale, creamy texture that means lots of tiny air bubbles have been whipped in.

Step 3: Flavor and Color the Dough

Mix in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. If you want that signature minty hue, add a few drops of green food coloring now. Start with just a drop or two—remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away! The dough will smell incredible at this stage.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. This evenly distributes the salt and helps prevent lumps later. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low just until a soft, smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Fold in the mini chocolate chips and the chopped pecans or walnuts if you’re using them. The dough will be thick and a bit chunky—perfect for holding its shape and delivering those delightful little surprises in every bite.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Scoop out tablespoon-sized pieces of dough and roll them gently into balls with your hands. Place each ball about an inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the bottoms start turning a pale golden color—the tops will still look pale, but that’s exactly what you want for snowball cookies.

Step 7: Powdered Sugar Finish

Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the pan for about five minutes. While they’re still warm (but not hot), gently roll each cookie in a bowl of powdered sugar. After the cookies have cooled completely, roll them again for that signature snowy look—the double dusting is key!

How to Serve Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

Garnishes

Make your Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies even more irresistible by adding a light sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies or an extra dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. For a pretty holiday effect, you can even drizzle with melted chocolate or sprinkle with edible glitter for a sparkling treat.

Side Dishes

Pair these delicate cookies with a mug of rich hot cocoa, an after-dinner espresso, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a wintery dessert plate. The cool mint and chocolate flavors shine when served alongside other classic holiday treats, making them perfect for dessert platters or cookie exchanges.

Creative Ways to Present

Try boxing up Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies in decorative tins layered with parchment, or stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for an adorable edible gift. For entertaining, arrange them on a tiered platter or nestle them among evergreen sprigs and peppermint sticks on your holiday table for a festive, eye-catching display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store extra Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh and tender for up to a week, making them perfect for planning ahead or sneaking a little treat each day.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. After their final powdered sugar coating has set, place them in a single layer in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. Separate additional layers with waxed paper. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to three months—ideal for holiday prep or when you’re craving a taste of minty magic well after the season ends.

Reheating

If your cookies have been frozen, just let them come to room temperature, then roll them in fresh powdered sugar to restore that snowy look. There’s no need to reheat, but if you want the cookies extra soft, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave works perfectly.

FAQs

Can I make Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies without nuts?

Absolutely! The nuts are completely optional. Go ahead and leave them out if you want a purely soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture—the cookies’ll still be bursting with mint and chocolate in every bite.

Is the green food coloring necessary?

Nope! The color is just for fun and a little visual flair. The cookies will taste just as delicious with or without it, so feel free to skip it for an all-natural look or embrace it for festive cheer.

Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips?

You could, but mini chocolate chips really do make a difference in both texture and even chocolate distribution. If you only have regular chips, give them a rough chop before adding to the dough for a similar effect.

How far in advance can I make the dough?

You can prepare the dough for Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies up to 3 days in advance! Just wrap it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes so it softens enough to scoop and shape.

Why do I roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?

The first coating sticks to the little bit of moisture on the warm cookies, creating a delicate glaze. The second dusting, after they’ve completely cooled, brings that iconic, snowy finish and ensures each cookie looks and tastes like a true snowball.

Final Thoughts

It’s truly hard to resist the cheerful charm and cool, chocolatey goodness of Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies. Baking them fills the kitchen with holiday spirit, and every bite is a sweet burst of nostalgia. Whether you’re gifting, sharing, or savoring these cookies quietly with a cup of cocoa, you’re in for a treat. Give this recipe a whirl and spread the minty joy!

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