Festive Minty Snowball Cookies Recipe

Jolly Minty Snowball Cookies Recipe: Sweet Winter Delights

Soft, powdery, and delightfully crumbly, these minty snowball cookies dance with festive winter charm.

Winter baking brings pure joy when you create these delectable minty snowball cookies that melt in your mouth.

Dusted with a generous coating of confectioners’ sugar, each bite delivers a cool, refreshing mint sensation.

Peppermint lovers will adore the subtle yet vibrant flavor woven through these tender, buttery treats.

These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and mint that transforms an ordinary dessert into a memorable winter indulgence.

Baking these snowball cookies fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that promises delicious memories.

Serve them at holiday gatherings or enjoy them with a warm cup of cocoa for a truly magical winter experience.

Main Ingredients In Minty Snowball Cookies

For The Base:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate sweetness and helps achieve soft, crumbly cookie consistency, sift to remove any lumps.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting background flavor, select pure extract for most authentic taste.
  • Peppermint Extract: Delivers cool, refreshing minty punch, use sparingly to prevent overwhelming flavor.
For The Structure:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie's structure and ensures perfect crumbly texture, use fresh, sifted flour for smoothest results.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile, use fine table salt for even distribution.
For The Mix-Ins:
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Introduces delightful chocolatey bursts, select high-quality dark or semi-sweet chips for best melting properties.
  • Powdered Sugar (For Coating): Creates magical snow-like exterior, use fresh, fine-textured sugar for most elegant finish.
  • Green/Red Sanding Sugar: Optional festive touch for decorative coating, choose fine, sparkling varieties for maximum visual appeal.

Baking Tools For Minty Snowball Cookies

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and mixing dough.
  • Baking Sheet: Provides perfect surface for baking cookies evenly.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk or Electric Mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
  • Spatula: Great for folding chocolate chips and scraping bowl sides.
  • Cookie Scoop or Spoon: Helps create uniform 1-inch cookie balls.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Optional but helpful for cooling cookies after baking.

Steps To Shape Minty Snowball Cookies

  • Holiday Flavor Inspiration

These delightful minty bites bring festive cheer with a burst of peppermint and chocolate, perfect for winter gatherings or cozy afternoon treats.

  • Dough Preparation

Blend softened butter with powdered sugar until silky smooth. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts for a refreshing twist. Gently incorporate flour and mix in mini chocolate chips for delicious surprises in every bite.

  • Cookie Shaping

Create small, uniform balls by rolling dough between your palms. Arrange them carefully on a lined baking tray, giving each cookie space to breathe.

  • Baking Magic

Place cookies in a warm oven and watch them transform. Remove when edges look set but not darkened, letting them rest briefly to stabilize their delicate structure.

  • Sugar Coating

While cookies are still warm, lovingly roll them in powdered sugar. For extra festivity, sprinkle in colored sanding sugar. Once cooled, give them a second generous sugar dusting for a stunning winter wonderland effect.

  • Serving and Storage

Keep these delectable treats in an airtight container, ready to delight friends and family for up to a week.

Tips For Perfect Minty Snowball Cookies

  • Snowball Cookie Mastery: Expert Tips & Twists
  • Chilling Dough Trick: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly round snowballs.
  • Texture Perfection: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture that's light and delicate.
  • Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cookie's delightful crumbly texture.
  • Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different mix-ins like crushed candy canes, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips to create unique flavor profiles that surprise and delight taste buds.
  • Dietary Modification: For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips, keeping the cookie's classic snowball charm intact.

How To Serve Minty Snowball Cookies With Fun

  • Holiday Cookie Platter: Arrange these minty snowballs alongside other festive treats like chocolate truffles and gingerbread cookies for a stunning dessert display that'll wow your guests.
  • Peppermint Chocolate Pairing: Serve these cookies with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a rich chocolate mocha to enhance the mint and chocolate flavor profile.
  • Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in clear festive bags tied with ribbon, creating perfect homemade holiday gifts for neighbors, teachers, or work colleagues that feel personal and thoughtful.
  • Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these delicate cookies with a light Earl Grey tea or peppermint tea, creating a delightful mid-afternoon sweet break that feels elegant and indulgent.

Storing Minty Snowball Cookies Made Simple

  • Festive Cookie Preservation: Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling.
  • Cool Cookie Storage: Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy and lose their delightful crumbly texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate, or freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months for spontaneous baking adventures.
  • Smart Freezing Strategy: After baking and coating with powdered sugar, freeze cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month, ensuring they retain their minty charm and delicate snowball shape.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 23

Print
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Festive Minty Snowball Cookies Recipe

Festive Minty Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 23 1x

Description

Delightful Minty Snowball Cookies melt in your mouth with festive winter charm. Butter-rich dough combines peppermint and powdered sugar, creating delectable holiday treats you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240 g/8.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (128 g/4.5 oz) mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate
  • ½ cup (60 g/2 oz) 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)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an ideal baking foundation.
  2. Base Mixture: Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy, incorporating vanilla and peppermint extracts to develop rich, aromatic undertones.
  3. Dough Assembly: Fold flour and salt into the butter mixture, gently integrating mini chocolate chips to distribute evenly throughout the dough without overworking.
  4. Cookie Formation: Shape dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, arranging them methodically across the prepared baking sheet with modest spacing.
  5. Baking Process: Slide cookie sheet into preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but not browned, monitoring carefully to prevent overcooking.
  6. Initial Sugar Coating: While cookies remain warm, delicately envelop each in powdered sugar, optionally blending in green or red sanding sugar for a festive touch.
  7. Cooling and Final Presentation: Allow cookies to cool completely, then apply a second generous dusting of powdered sugar to create a pristine, elegant finish.
  8. Storage: Preserve these delicate treats in an airtight container at room temperature, maintaining optimal freshness for up to one week.

Notes

  • Control Mixing Texture: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies; mix just until ingredients combine for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
  • Manage Chocolate Distribution: Fold mini chocolate chips gently to prevent uneven spreading, ensuring each bite contains a perfect chocolate accent.
  • Modify Sugar Coating Technique: Apply first powdered sugar coating while cookies are warm for better adherence, then add a second layer after complete cooling for a pristine, festive appearance.
  • Accommodate Dietary Needs: Substitute gluten-free flour for traditional flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly, and use dairy-free butter alternatives for vegan variations without compromising the cookie’s delicate texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 25 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 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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