Dreamy Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe for Winter Magic

Biting into soft, melt-in-your-mouth peppermint snowball cookies that dance with festive cheer.

Cool mint whispers through delicate, powdery crumbles that remind you of winter’s gentle embrace.

These delightful treats bring magic to any holiday gathering with their elegant simplicity.

Buttery dough mingles with crushed candy canes, creating a sensational texture that surprises and delights.

Rich, sweet moments emerge from each carefully crafted morsel, promising joy in every single bite.

The classic recipe transforms traditional snowball cookies into a spectacular seasonal celebration.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and let these cookies transport you to a winter wonderland of flavor.

You won’t want to miss making these irresistible peppermint gems that sparkle with festive wonder.

Why Peppermint Snowball Cookies Are A Cool Holiday Favorite

• Delightful Holiday Flavor Burst: Infuse your taste buds with the perfect blend of buttery sweetness and refreshing peppermint, creating a festive cookie that captures the essence of winter celebrations.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture Magic: Experience the incredible softness of these snowball cookies that crumble delicately with each bite, offering a heavenly combination of smooth butter and crunchy peppermint pieces.
• Super Quick and Easy Festive Treat: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients, making them an ideal last-minute dessert for holiday gatherings or spontaneous baking adventures.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Fun: Engage children in the cookie-making process by letting them help roll dough balls, crush peppermint candies, and coat cookies in powdered sugar, turning baking into a playful family activity.

What You’ll Need For Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Butter and Sugar: – Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for the cookie with a smooth texture. Best when softened at room temperature.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and helps with cookie texture. Choose a fine, smooth variety.

Dry Ingredients:

Flour Mixture: – All-Purpose Flour, Salt: Gives structure and balanced flavor to the cookies. Use fresh, sifted flour for best results.

Flavor Enhancers:

Flavor Boosters: – Vanilla Extract, Peppermint Extract: Adds depth and signature minty flavor. Pure extracts provide the most authentic taste.

• Peppermint Candies: Provides festive crunch and intense peppermint flavor. Crush candies finely for even distribution.

Finishing Touch:

Coating: – Powdered Sugar: Creates a beautiful snow-like exterior and adds extra sweetness. Sift for smooth, even coating.

How To Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies That Melt In Your Mouth

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, creating a smooth runway for your delightful cookies.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and transform your softened butter into a fluffy cloud. Add powdered sugar and beat until the mixture looks light and dreamy. Pour in vanilla and peppermint extracts, stirring until everything dances together beautifully.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt

Slowly introduce the dry ingredients to your buttery mixture, stirring until a soft dough emerges. Fold in crushed peppermint candies, creating bursts of holiday cheer throughout the dough.

Step 4: Shape Tiny Treasures

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll them into perfect little balls. Place these cookie gems onto your prepared baking sheet, giving each one some breathing room about an inch apart.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the cookies bake for 10-12 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a delicate golden brown. Once done, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Create a Snowy Coating

Once the cookies have completely cooled, roll them in a heavenly blanket of powdered sugar. For an extra festive touch, mix some finely crushed peppermint candies into the sugar before the final roll.

Enjoy your magical peppermint snowball cookies that melt in your mouth and spark holiday joy!

Tips To Perfect Your Peppermint Snowball Cookies

• Crush Candies Carefully: Use a rolling pin or food processor to create fine, even peppermint candy pieces without turning them into dust.
• Control Sugar Coating: Let cookies cool completely before rolling in powdered sugar to prevent melting and ensure a perfect, even white finish.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their round shape and minimize spreading.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version, and use dairy-free butter alternatives for a vegan-friendly treat.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.

How To Store Peppermint Snowball Cookies Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious for later enjoyment.
• Thaw Gently: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve their original soft, crumbly consistency.
• Refresh: Before serving stored cookies, dust them with a fresh layer of powdered sugar to restore their beautiful white appearance and give them a just-baked look.

Perfect Pairings For Peppermint Snowball Cookies

• Brew Festive Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Pair these delightful snowball cookies with a rich, creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies. The warm, velvety drink complements the cool, minty crunch of the cookies perfectly.
• Serve Chilled Peppermint Mocha: Create a refreshing iced peppermint mocha that echoes the cookie's minty flavor profile. The cold coffee drink balances the sweet, buttery texture of the snowball cookies with its smooth, caffeinated kick.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Latte: Enhance the cookies' delicate flavor by serving a smooth vanilla bean latte. The subtle vanilla notes harmonize beautifully with the peppermint's cool essence, creating a delightful winter-inspired treat combination.
• Pair with Peppermint Schnapps Cocktail: For adult gatherings, offer a chilled peppermint schnapps cocktail that amplifies the cookie's minty character. The alcoholic beverage provides a sophisticated twist to the festive sweet treat.

Creative Twists On Peppermint Snowball Cookies

• Chocolate Candy Cane Crunch: Replace peppermint candies with finely chopped dark chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top after rolling in powdered sugar for a rich, minty chocolate experience.
• Almond Peppermint Swirl: Add 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds to the dough and use almond extract alongside peppermint extract for a nutty, festive flavor profile.
• Citrus Mint Snowballs: Swap peppermint extract with lemon or orange extract, and add some citrus zest to the dough for a bright, refreshing winter cookie variation.
• White Chocolate Peppermint Drizzle: After cooling and coating cookies in powdered sugar, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top and sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint candies for extra indulgence.

Peppermint Snowball Cookies Questions Answered

• What makes these Peppermint Snowball Cookies special?

These cookies blend the classic snowball cookie texture with a festive peppermint twist, creating a holiday treat that’s both creamy and crunchy with a cool mint flavor.

• Can I use regular candy canes instead of peppermint candies?

Absolutely! Crush regular candy canes to get the same minty crunch. Just make sure they’re finely crushed so they mix well into the dough and coating.

• Are these cookies difficult to make?

Not at all! These cookies are beginner-friendly. The recipe is straightforward and requires basic baking skills. The key is to have softened butter and mix ingredients carefully.

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

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their round shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.

Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive peppermint snowball cookies bring winter magic to classic shortbread with crushed candy cane sparkle. Sweet, buttery rounds melt in your mouth, offering comfort and cheer during holiday gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (75 g) finely crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Warm your kitchen oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean and ready workspace for your festive treats.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes airy and smooth. Introduce vanilla and peppermint extracts, blending them thoroughly to create a fragrant base.
3. In a separate mixing vessel, combine flour and salt, whisking to eliminate any potential lumps. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, gently folding until a cohesive dough emerges. Fold in crushed peppermint candies, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Delicately form the dough into small spherical shapes, approximately one tablespoon in size. Arrange these tender orbs on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them with slight separation to allow for potential expansion.
5. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for 10-12 minutes. Watch for a subtle golden hue developing along the bottom edges, indicating perfect doneness. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a brief five-minute cooling period.
6. Transfer the delicate cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to reach room temperature. Once completely cooled, tenderly enrobe each cookie in a generous coating of powdered sugar. For an extra festive touch, mix finely pulverized peppermint candies into the powdered sugar before the final rolling process.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round cookie shape.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture, ensuring it’s soft but not melted.
• Crush peppermint candies finely to distribute flavor evenly and create a consistent texture throughout the cookies.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 134
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 53 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg