Minty Snowball Cookies Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite holiday treat! Minty Snowball Cookies are the ultimate combination of buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture, cool peppermint flavor, and delicate chocolate chips all wrapped up in a snowy coat of powdered sugar. Every bite feels festive and bright, making these cookies an instant hit for cookie swaps, cozy winter evenings, or simply as a sweet surprise for friends and family. If you’re looking for a cookie that delivers on whimsy and nostalgic joy, Minty Snowball Cookies absolutely deliver.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Minty Snowball Cookies is how basic pantry staples transform into holiday magic—each ingredient plays a special role in creating their snowy look and refreshing, minty bite. Gather these simple yet important components to ensure the best taste and texture in every batch.

• Unsalted Butter: The key to irresistible richness and that signature melt-in-your-mouth crumb; make sure it’s nice and soft for easy mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dough and makes the outside delightfully snowy—don’t skimp on the final roll!
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, fragrant flavor base that pairs beautifully with peppermint.
• Peppermint Extract: Gives the cookies their cool, minty kick; a little bit goes a long way, so measure carefully.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the delicate structure needed for these crumbly, tender cookies.
• Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the cookie perfectly.
• Chocolate Chips (finely chopped or mini): Add bursts of chocolate in each bite without overpowering the mint; mini chips disperse nicely throughout the dough.
• Crushed Peppermint Candies: Brings crunch, color, and a festive touch both inside and outside the cookies.

How to Make Minty Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Essentials

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure the cookies bake evenly. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper—you’ll thank yourself later for the easy clean-up and perfectly golden cookie bottoms.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a big mixing bowl, blend the softened butter with the powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon to whisk until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This base gives Minty Snowball Cookies their silky, tender texture, so don’t rush this step.

Step 3: Add Flavorful Extracts

Pour in the vanilla and peppermint extracts, mixing until fully incorporated. The duo of vanilla and peppermint creates a layered, wintry flavor that feels both classic and refreshing.

Step 4: Work in the Dry Ingredients

Gradually stir in the flour and salt. Mix just until the dough comes together—overmixing can make the cookies tough instead of tender. Your dough should be soft but not sticky, and ready for little additions.

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolates and Peppermint

With the dough formed, gently fold in the finely chopped chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. The mini chocolate bits melt into the cookies while crushed candies add that magical sparkle and crunch.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls; a cookie scoop makes this quick and uniform. Space them about 1 inch apart on your lined baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the bottoms look barely golden—don’t overbake, as you want these cookies to stay soft and luscious.

Step 7: The Snowy Coating

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. While they’re still warm (not hot), gently roll them in more powdered sugar. This first coating will cling, melting into the surface for that signature snowy look. Once completely cool, roll a second time for an extra powdery finish.

How to Serve Minty Snowball Cookies

Garnishes

For an extra-festive touch, sprinkle a little more crushed peppermint on top right after the final sugar roll, or dust them with iridescent edible glitter. You can even tuck in a sprig of fresh mint for a stunning holiday platter that proudly showcases your Minty Snowball Cookies.

Side Dishes

These cookies are wonderful with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea—something warm to contrast their cool mintiness. If you’re making a cookie tray, pair alongside chocolate crinkle cookies, buttery shortbreads, or chewy gingerbread for a beautiful and balanced holiday spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Minty Snowball Cookies in decorative tins lined with parchment, clear glass jars tied with candy-cane ribbon, or nestled in paper muffin liners for an easy grab-and-go treat. For parties, arrange them in snowy mounds or clusters, or thread them on skewers between mini marshmallows for edible holiday wands!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Minty Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. The powdered sugar coating helps keep them fresh while locking in moisture, so every cookie tastes as dreamy as the day it was baked.

Freezing

You can freeze both the baked cookies and the dough. To freeze before baking, arrange the dough balls on a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time. For baked cookies, layer with parchment in a sealed container and freeze for up to two months.

Reheating

If you prefer cookies a bit warm (who doesn’t?), pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes straight from the freezer. Once reheated, give them a fresh roll in powdered sugar for that just-baked, snowy effect.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini or chopped chips?

Absolutely! Regular chocolate chips work well, but chopping them up helps them distribute more evenly throughout the dough, giving Minty Snowball Cookies a more consistent bite of chocolate in every cookie.

What’s the secret to keeping snowball cookies tender and not dry?

The real secret is in the gentle mixing—combine the flour until just incorporated and avoid overbaking. Pull the cookies out of the oven when the bottoms are just golden; they’ll finish baking as they cool on the sheet.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, a good cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend can be substituted for the all-purpose flour. Just check your crushed peppermint candies to be sure they’re gluten-free, and proceed as usual for delicious gluten-free Minty Snowball Cookies.

What if I don’t have peppermint extract?

If you don’t have peppermint extract, you can increase the amount of crushed peppermint candies slightly for a similar burst of minty flavor. However, for the full refreshing effect, peppermint extract is best—it’s worth seeking out during the holidays!

How do I prevent the powdered sugar from melting off?

Let cookies cool slightly before rolling in powdered sugar, then cool completely and give them a second roll. The first coating sticks to the warm cookies, while the second makes sure your Minty Snowball Cookies look perfectly snowy.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you bake a batch of Minty Snowball Cookies, you’ll find excuses to make them again and again—holidays or not! They’re easy, festive, and just a bit magical. Gather your loved ones, share the joy, and watch these cookies disappear from the plate in no time. Happy baking!

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