Buttery Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

Timeless Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe: Jolly Sweet Bites

Soft, buttery, and dusted with powdered sugar, these classic chocolate snowball cookies melt in your mouth with irresistible charm.

Chocolate lovers adore this simple yet decadent treat that brings winter magic to any dessert table.

Rich cocoa powder infuses each bite with deep, luxurious flavor.

Rolled generously in confectioners’ sugar, these delicate cookies crumble delightfully and create a stunning white coating.

The texture strikes a perfect balance between crumbly and tender.

Swirled with love and nostalgia, these treats promise to delight everyone who takes a bite.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments of pure cookie bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 23

All Ingredients In Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation that creates tender cookie texture with luxurious mouthfeel.
  • Powdered Sugar: Delivers delicate sweetness and helps create smooth, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic depth and subtle sweetness.
  • Salt: Balances flavors and amplifies the richness of other ingredients.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structural integrity and tender crumb for perfect cookie texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Introduces deep, intense chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate bursts and extra indulgence throughout cookie.
For Optional Mix-Ins:
  • Chopped Nuts: Brings crunchy texture, nutty flavor, and sophisticated complexity to classic cookie recipe.
  • Powdered Sugar (for coating): Provides magical snowball appearance and elegant sweet finish that makes cookies visually stunning.

Tools You’ll Need For Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to a light, fluffy consistency.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining ingredients and creating the cookie dough.
  • Sifter: Perfect for blending flour and cocoa powder without lumps.
  • Baking Sheets: Two lined with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Spatula: Great for folding in nuts and chocolate chips, scraping bowl sides.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
  • Small Bowl: Used for rolling cookies in powdered sugar.

Easy Guide To Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

  • Kitchen Warmup

Prepare your cooking space by setting the oven to a cozy 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for a smooth cookie adventure.

  • Butter Bliss

Grab your mixing bowl and transform softened butter into a fluffy cloud by whipping it with powdered sugar. Let the vanilla and salt join the party, creating a creamy dream.

  • Chocolate Dust

Gently fold flour and cocoa powder into your butter mixture. Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra deliciousness. The dough should feel like soft velvet.

  • Cookie Crafting

Roll small dough balls between your palms, creating little chocolate spheres. Place them on the baking sheet with plenty of breathing room.

  • Snowy Transformation

Slide the baking sheet into the warm oven. Watch magic happen as cookies bake to perfection – about 10 minutes until they look set but not dark.

  • Sugar Shower

Once cookies cool slightly, give them a luxurious powdered sugar bath. Roll them generously, creating a winter wonderland effect. Let them rest and dust with another sugar snowstorm for maximum delightfulness.

Tasty Tips For Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

  • Chocolate Snowball Cookies Pro Tips & Variations
  • Butter Temperature Trick: Let butter soften naturally at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Never microwave, as this can affect cookie texture and consistency.
  • Nutty Alternatives: Swap walnuts with pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts for different flavor profiles. Each nut brings a unique crunch and subtle taste variation.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients and maintain cookie structure.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. Select dairy-free mini chocolate chips to create a completely plant-based version of these delightful cookies.
  • Storage Wisdom: Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 weeks for longer preservation.

How To Serve Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

  • Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange these chocolate snowball cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh mint and a dusting of extra powdered sugar for a winter wonderland presentation.
  • Cozy Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa or spiced chai latte to enhance the chocolate flavor and create a warm, comforting dessert experience.
  • Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbon or place in festive holiday tins for a delightful homemade gift that spreads sweet cheer to friends and family.
  • Dessert Table Star: Display the cookies on a tiered cake stand with other holiday treats, creating a stunning centerpiece that showcases the delicate, powdery white coating and tempts guests with their elegant appearance.

Store Classic Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe Like A Pro

  • Fridge-Ready Storage: Transfer cooled cookies to an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for 5-7 days at cool room temperature.
  • Freezer Magic: Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers. Chocolate snowball cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for soft, delicious results.
  • Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24-48 hours before baking. This technique enhances flavor depth and makes preparation more convenient for busy schedules.
  • Smart Portioning Trick: Use a small cookie scoop for uniform sizing, which ensures consistent baking and professional-looking treats. Consistent ball sizes mean even cooking and perfect powdered sugar coating every single time.
Print
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Buttery Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Snowball Cookies


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 23 1x

Description

Chocolate snowball cookies bring winter charm to classic holiday treats. Mexican wedding cookie lovers will appreciate these rich, cocoa-dusted delights that melt in your mouth and connect you with festive baking traditions.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (225 g or 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (250 g or 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (40 g or 1.4 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (60 g or 2.1 oz) powdered sugar, plus extra for coating
  • 1 cup (120 g or 4.2 oz) finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
  • ½ cup (90 g or 3.2 oz) mini chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Configure oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for efficient cookie baking.
  2. Butter Blending: Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until achieving a light, fluffy texture with a pale, silky appearance.
  3. Flavor Foundation: Incorporate vanilla extract and salt into the butter mixture, thoroughly blending to develop a rich, aromatic base.
  4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour and cocoa powder together, then gradually fold into the butter mixture using low-speed mixing until a uniform dough forms.
  5. Mix-in Mastery: Fold chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough, ensuring balanced distribution of textural elements.
  6. Shaping Strategy: Roll uniform dough balls and arrange them with strategic spacing on prepared baking sheets, maintaining consistent size and shape.
  7. Baking Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges and a tender cookie structure.
  8. Initial Cooling: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheets, enabling slight firming and initial temperature reduction.
  9. Sugary Coating: While cookies remain warm, gently envelop each in a generous layer of powdered sugar, creating an initial snowy appearance.
  10. Final Flourish: Complete the cooling process, then apply a second luxurious dusting of powdered sugar for a pristine, winter-inspired finish.

Notes

  • Master Temperature Control: Keep oven precisely at 350F to prevent burning edges while maintaining soft, tender cookie centers.
  • Chill Dough Before Shaping: Refrigerate mixture 30 minutes to enhance texture, prevent spreading, and make rolling easier with firmer consistency.
  • Handle Powdered Sugar Strategically: Apply first sugar coating while cookies are slightly warm for better adhesion, then add second layer after complete cooling for pristine, snow-like appearance.
  • Nut Substitution and Allergy Considerations: Replace chopped nuts with seeds or additional mini chocolate chips for nut-free version, ensuring inclusive recipe adaptation for various dietary needs.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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