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This peppermint snowball cookie recipe transforms simple ingredients into festive holiday treats that melt in your mouth. The combination of buttery shortbread with cool peppermint creates the perfect Christmas cookie that looks as beautiful as it tastes.
I discovered this recipe five years ago when searching for a new addition to my Christmas cookie platter. Now these snowballs are the first to disappear at every holiday gathering, with friends requesting them before I even plan my baking schedule.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter Use room temperature butter for the best texture and proper incorporation into the dough
- Powdered sugar Creates that melt in your mouth texture that makes snowball cookies irresistible
- Crushed peppermints Adds festive flavor and a hint of color throughout the cookie
- Vanilla extract Enhances the buttery flavor while complementing the peppermint
- All purpose flour The base of our cookie provides structure without making them tough
- Salt Even sweet cookies need a tiny bit of salt to balance flavors
- Wilton peppermint sprinkles These special holiday sprinkles add both color and flavor to your coating
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Your Workspace
- Preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare your cookie sheet. The moderate temperature ensures these delicate cookies bake evenly without browning too quickly. If using a nonstick pan, leave it ungreased to prevent spreading.
- Create Sugar Coating
- Mix powdered sugar with peppermint sprinkles in a small bowl until well combined. This coating not only adds sweetness but creates that classic snowball appearance with a festive peppermint twist.
- Make Cookie Dough
- Cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, peppermint sprinkles and vanilla until light and fluffy. The butter must be properly softened but not melted for the right texture. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing just until the dough comes together. Overmixing will develop too much gluten and create tough cookies.
- Shape Cookie Balls
- Scoop tablespoon amounts of dough and roll between your palms to form perfect spheres. If the dough feels crumbly, squeeze it firmly in your hand first before rolling to help it hold together. Place cookies about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake To Perfection
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until just set. The critical thing to remember is these cookies should not brown except for possibly a slight golden color at the bottom edges. They will look underdone but will continue cooking as they cool.
- Cool Completely
- Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Patience is key here as attempting to roll warm cookies in the sugar coating will result in a gummy mess.
- Apply Sugar Coating
- Once fully cooled, gently roll each cookie in the prepared sugar and peppermint mixture until completely coated. The powdered sugar creates that classic snowball appearance while the peppermint adds festive color and flavor.
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The Wilton peppermint sprinkles are my secret weapon in this recipe. I discovered them three Christmases ago and have never looked back. They distribute the peppermint flavor more evenly than crushed candy canes and the color stays vibrant even after baking.
Make Ahead Options
These peppermint snowballs are perfect for holiday planning because they can be prepared in stages. You can make the dough up to three days ahead and refrigerate it tightly wrapped. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping. Alternatively, you can freeze the shaped unbaked cookie balls for up to a month. Simply add 2-3 minutes to the baking time when cooking from frozen.
Perfect Pairings
Serve these festive cookies alongside a mug of hot chocolate for the ultimate holiday treat. The coolness of the peppermint complements the richness of chocolate beautifully. For a sophisticated adult version, pair with a peppermint mocha or even a small glass of Bailey's Irish Cream. At cookie exchanges, these snowballs provide a nice textural contrast when plated with chewy cookies and crunchy brittles.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your cookies spread too much during baking, your butter was likely too warm. Pop the shaped dough balls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking. If your dough seems too crumbly, add 1-2 teaspoons of milk and mix gently until it holds together. When applying the sugar coating, if it isn't sticking well, very lightly dampen the cookies with a spritz of water from a spray bottle first.
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Common Questions Answered
- → Can I make these peppermint snowball cookies ahead of time?
Yes! These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. For best results when freezing, wait to add the final sugar coating until after thawing.
- → What if I can't find Wilton peppermint sprinkles?
Regular crushed candy canes or any crushed peppermint candies work perfectly as a substitute. You can crush them by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and rolling with a rolling pin until you achieve the desired consistency.
- → Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?
Spreading is usually caused by butter that's too warm. If your dough feels very soft, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before rolling into balls. Also, make sure your oven is properly preheated to 325°F.
- → Can I use peppermint extract instead of vanilla?
Yes, you can substitute some or all of the vanilla extract with peppermint extract for a stronger mint flavor. Start with 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract as it's quite potent, adding more to taste if desired.
- → How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
These cookies should not brown on top. They're done when the bottom edges just barely start to turn golden, after about 12-15 minutes. The cookies may still look underdone on top, but they'll firm up as they cool.
- → Why did my cookie dough turn out crumbly?
Crumbly dough usually means there's not enough moisture. Make sure your butter is properly softened but not melted. If the dough remains crumbly, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of milk and mix just until it comes together.