Name: Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup (40g) crushed candy canes (about 3–4 regular-size candy canes); 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners’ sugar

There's something utterly magical about biting into a cookie that’s buttery, crumbly, and bursts with festive peppermint flavor — that's exactly what this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe delivers. These delicate little snowballs melt in your mouth and bring a joyful crunch from crushed candy canes. I always find myself reaching for just one more!

This image shows many small cookies piled close together, each covered in a thick layer of white powdered sugar. The cookies are round but slightly uneven in shape, with a light beige color inside dotted with small red bits. Two cookies on top are broken in half, revealing a crumbly, soft texture inside with the same red specks scattered throughout. The overall look is soft and powdery, with a white marbled texture as the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe has become my go-to holiday treat not just because of its simple ingredients, but because it's such a joyful experience to bake and share. The peppermint extract plus crushed candy canes give these cookies a perfect seasonal twist that feels both refreshing and cozy.

Perfectly Soft and Crumbly Texture: The use of room temperature butter and thorough creaming creates that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness you want in a snowball cookie.
Easy Peppermint Kick: Combining peppermint extract with crushed candy canes means the flavor is layered and not overpowering, giving each bite a festive sparkle.
No-Fuss Coating Process: Rolling the warm cookies twice in confectioners’ sugar creates that iconic snowy look and delicate sweetness.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can chill the dough or freeze baked cookies, which is perfect for holiday prep or last-minute guests.

A close-up view of several round cookies piled on a white plate, each cookie covered evenly with a thick layer of powdered sugar giving them a soft, snowy look. Tiny red specks are scattered lightly on the surface of the cookies and the plate, adding a subtle pop of color. The cookies have a slightly rough texture under the sugar, showing they are soft and crumbly. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a job to bring these cookies to snowy, peppermint perfection. Using softened butter ensures you get a silky dough that bakes into softness, while confectioners' sugar creates that smoothness right in the batter and for the coating. The peppermint extract adds warmth and aroma, and crushed candy canes give texture and that refreshing crunch. Picking fresh, high-quality ingredients makes all the difference.

Flat lay of a large chunk of unsalted butter, a small mound of fine confectioners’ sugar, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of clear peppermint extract, a heap of all-purpose flour, a small pinch of sea salt crystals, a small white bowl filled with crushed red and white candy cane pieces, and another small white bowl holding more fine confectioners’ sugar for coating, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming without melting; controls salt level so you can adjust seasoning precisely.
Confectioners’ Sugar: Adds sweetness and a delicate texture both inside the dough and as the iconic snowball coating.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Balances the peppermint with warm, mellow notes.
Peppermint Extract: Gives that unmistakable, cool peppermint flavor that makes these cookies festive and refreshing.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy backbone for your cookie dough, provides structure without heaviness.
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness, vital for bringing out the best in your dough.
Crushed Candy Canes: Adds both crunch and bursts of sweet, minty flavor that are fun and festive.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tweak this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe to suit the occasion or mood—sometimes I add a few extra drops of peppermint extract if I'm feeling festive, or swap out candy canes for mini peppermint chips for smoother texture. Feel free to experiment, you’ll find these cookies are quite forgiving and fun to personalize!

Variation: One winter, I substituted crushed peppermint bark instead of candy canes—those bites had a richer chocolate-peppermint flavor that our family adored.
Gluten-Free Option: You can swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend; just be sure to check consistency and chill dough longer if needed.
Lower Sugar: I’ve reduced the confectioners’ sugar in the coating marginally for less sweetness, though the snowball look is slightly less pronounced.
Nutty Twist: Adding finely chopped toasted pecans into the dough gives another layer of texture that pairs beautifully with peppermint.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Velvety

Start by beating your softened butter on medium speed with a mixer. I do this for about a minute until it’s smooth and creamy—no lumps! Then add the confectioners’ sugar and beat first on low to incorporate it without a sugar cloud, then speed it up to medium-high for a luscious, fluffy texture. Scraping the bowl down midway is key to even mixing.

Step 2: Add Your Extracts for That Peppermint Burst

Next, mix in pure vanilla and peppermint extracts. This little combo is how these cookies get their signature sweet and minty aroma. Don’t skimp on the peppermint—it gives the cookies their festive personality without being overpowering.

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients into a Dough

Add flour and salt while running your mixer on low speed. The dough might look crumbly or dry at first, but once all the flour is incorporated, crank the mixer to high briefly. The dough will come together beautifully. Finish by folding in the crushed candy canes—you want those minty bits dispersed evenly for every bite.

Step 4: Chill the Dough for Easier Handling

Wrap your dough tightly and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 3 days. If you've been patient and chilled it longer, bring it back to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping so it's easier to roll. Trust me, patience here pays off with perfectly shaped cookies.

Step 5: Scoop, Bake, and Coat Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare your baking sheets. I line mine with parchment to keep things simple. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, roll it into balls, and space them at least 2 inches apart—you don’t want your snowballs to fuse into one giant nap!

Bake for 15 minutes until just golden on the edges with barely a tint on top—that’s the sweet spot for that tender crumb.

Right out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then gently roll each warm cookie in confectioners’ sugar. Place on a wire rack to cool completely, then roll them in sugar again for that classic snowy coating that sticks and melts just perfectly.

Top Tip

From my own baking experiments, a few tweaks really boost these cookies and make the process smooth and enjoyable for you.

Soft Butter is Essential: Using room temperature butter (not melted!) ensures your dough has the perfect texture and your cookies melt in your mouth.
Don’t Skip the Two Sugar Coatings: The first coat sticks because the sugar gently melts on the warm cookie, and the second coat really seals in that signature look and sweetness.
Be Gentle Rolling Coated Cookies: They’re delicate after baking, so roll carefully or you’ll lose that pretty snowball shape.
Use Fresh Crushed Candy Canes: Freshly crushed ones create the best crunch and flavor—old candy canes can get soft or stale.

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically stick with the classic confectioners’ sugar coating since it gives the cookies that enchanting “snowy” effect. But for a little extra flair, I sometimes drizzle melted white chocolate over the top or sprinkle some more finely crushed candy canes just before the second sugar coating dries. It looks beautiful and adds a bit more crunch!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot chocolate or peppermint-spiced coffee. They also make a delightful dessert alongside simple vanilla ice cream or a creamy eggnog for those holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love arranging these Peppermint Snowball Cookies in a festive tin layered with red tissue paper, tied up with a velvet ribbon. Another fun idea is stacking them like little snowy towers on a holiday dessert platter or even using clear cellophane bags with a peppermint bow as charming gifts for friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They stay fresh and delightfully soft for up to a week—enough time to enjoy a few with your morning coffee!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully—both the baked cookies and unbaked dough balls. I portion the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray, then store in a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen by adding an extra minute or two to the bake time. It’s a real time saver during busy holiday seasons.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop your stored cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes the texture and flavor without drying them out. Avoid microwaving, as it can turn the delicate cookies rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract?

Peppermint oil is much more concentrated than peppermint extract, so if you use it, start with just a drop and taste the dough before adding more. Too much oil can make the cookies bitter, so it’s safer to use peppermint extract unless you’re experienced with oils.

Why do the cookies need two coatings of confectioners’ sugar?

The first sugar coating is applied while the cookies are still warm, allowing it to slightly melt and stick to the surface. After cooling, rolling them in sugar again ensures the coating clings well and creates the iconic snowy appearance these cookies are known for.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! To make this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe dairy-free, swap the unsalted butter for a high-quality dairy-free butter substitute that works well for baking. Just be sure to use the same amount and ensure the substitute is softened for proper creaming.

How long will these cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these peppermint snowballs will stay fresh for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to three months without losing flavor or texture.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe isn’t just another cookie—it's a little winter celebration in every bite. I love making a big batch to share with friends and relatives every holiday season, knowing these cookies create smiles and laughter around the table. Give them a try; I promise you’ll be hooked on that wonderful peppermint crunch and tender crumble. Happy baking, friend!