Name: Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tsp cornstarch; 3 cups powdered sugar divided (2 cups and 1 cup); ¼ cup finely crushed peppermint candies; 1 cup salted sweet cream butter softened; 1 tsp pure peppermint extract; ½ tsp pure vanilla extract; 5-6 drops hot pink/rose food color gel; 1¼ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

There’s something about the perfect snowy coating, the cooling peppermint kick, and those tender bites that make this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe truly special. These cookies somehow capture the cozy magic of the holidays in every melt-in-your-mouth moment. I can’t wait to share why they might just become your new festive favorite.

A white plate is filled with round cookies dusted heavily with white powdered sugar, showing little pink spots through the powder. One cookie is cut in half and placed on top of the pile, revealing a bright pink inside packed with many dark brown chocolate chips scattered evenly throughout. The background shows blurred white bowls, one filled with more pink and white cookies and another with dark chocolate pieces, all set on a white marbled surface. The overall look is soft and powdery with a stark contrast between the pink cookie inside and the white powdered sugar outside. 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

I’ve made many holiday cookies over the years, but these peppermint snowballs hold a soft spot for me. They’re festive yet simple, and the peppermint flavor is just right — not overpowering but enough to bring that lovely winter sparkle to your taste buds. You’re going to enjoy making them as much as eating them.

Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The balance of buttery cookie with peppermint and a hint of chocolate chips makes these irresistible to kids and adults alike.
Easy Yet Impressive: They look like you spent hours, but really, the steps are straightforward and fun to do with family or friends.
Perfect Texture: These cookies are tender and crumbly but hold together beautifully with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Holiday Ready: That snowy coating of powdered sugar mixed with crushed peppermint candies makes them picture-perfect for gift-giving or parties.

A white plate filled with about two layers of round, soft cookies covered in a thick layer of white powdered sugar with small red peppermint bits showing through. Scattered on and around the plate are several red and white striped peppermint candies. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with small dark chocolate chips, sitting on a white marbled surface. The image is bright and clean, with soft lighting and a shallow focus that highlights the cookies in the center photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe plays its part to deliver that festive, tender, and flavorful bite. Choosing quality and understanding why helps you nail this recipe the first time you bake it.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour beside a tiny pile of cornstarch, a half cup of softened salted sweet cream butter shaped gently into a square block, a mound of fine white powdered sugar, a few drops of vivid hot pink food color gel in a tiny white ceramic bowl, a few semi sweet mini chocolate chips scattered neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely crushed peppermint candies, and two small white ceramic bowls containing clear peppermint extract and pale vanilla extract placed symmetrically, all arranged with perfect balance 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

All-Purpose Flour: The base that gives structure but is balanced with cornstarch to keep the cookies delicate and tender.
Cornstarch: It softens the bite, creating that classic snowball cookie crumbly texture everyone loves.
Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Butter brings richness and flavor; using salted butter balances sweetness perfectly.
Powdered Sugar: Used in the dough and coating, it adds smooth sweetness and creates the signature snowy look.
Pure Peppermint Extract: This gives the cookies that cool, authentic peppermint taste—make sure not to confuse it with mint extract!
Pure Vanilla Extract: A subtle warmth that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Little bursts of chocolate keep these cookies extra special and add texture variation.
Hot Pink/Rose Food Color Gel: My secret fun touch to make the dough festive and vibrant without watering down the flavors.
Finely Crushed Peppermint Candies: Mixed into the powdered sugar coating, it boosts the peppermint presence and adds a pleasant crunch.

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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 love how adaptable this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is! You can play around with the chocolate chips, adjust peppermint intensity, or even try different food colors. Personalizing these treats makes baking even more special.

Add More Peppermint: I once added an extra half teaspoon of peppermint extract for a bolder kick—it was a hit for true peppermint fans.
White Chocolate Swap: Replacing semi-sweet chips with white chocolate chips gives a creamier, sweeter cookie that still pairs wonderfully with peppermint.
Gluten-Free Version: Try swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with xanthan gum; just watch your baking time closely.
Festive Colors: Use different food color gels to match your holiday theme—greens and reds for Christmas, or pale pinks for Valentine’s Day.

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

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients with Care

Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour and cornstarch. It’s a little trick I learned to ensure the cornstarch disperses evenly, giving the dough a consistently tender texture. Set this aside when ready.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Perfectly

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat your softened butter on medium-high for about 30 seconds until it’s fluffy. Then, add 1 cup of powdered sugar and beat for another 1 to 1½ minutes. This step builds the creamy base, so don’t rush it. Softened, not melted butter is key here—you’ll avoid spreading cookies later.

Step 3: Infuse Flavors and Add Dry Mix

Lower your mixer speed to medium-low and add the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Stir these in gently—they’re the magic that brings your snowballs to life. Then, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Overmixing will make the cookies tough!

Step 4: Bring Color and Chips In

Increase the mixer speed to medium and add those drops of hot pink food color gel. Mix just until the dough is evenly tinted—don’t overdo it or the dough may get sticky. Next, fold in your mini semi-sweet chocolate chips till they’re nicely spread throughout.

Step 5: Chill and Prep for Baking

Cover your dough and chill it in the fridge for 10 minutes—this step helps the dough firm up so your cookies hold their shape. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper: one for baking, one for cooling.

Step 6: Scoop, Shape & Bake

Scoop the dough using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop and roll into balls. Space them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet—this keeps you from getting cookies that run into each other. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft. That’s the sweet spot!

Step 7: Powdered Sugar Peppermint Coating

While baking, whisk together the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and crushed peppermint candies in a medium bowl. When cookies come out, let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes—they’re fragile warm—then gently roll them in the sugar mixture. Place on your second sheet. After completely cooling, give them one more roll in the sugar mixture for that perfect snowy finish.

Top Tip

From my experience, small details make a huge difference with these cookies. Trust me, I’ve learned these tips through trial and error, so you can avoid common pitfalls and end up with show-stopping snowballs.

Use Softened Butter, Not Melted: Melted butter makes these cookies spread too much and lose that tender, round shape.
Double Coating Is Key: Always roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice—once warm and once cooled—to get the classic snowball look without sucking all the sugar in too soon.
Don’t Substitute Mint Extract: Mint extract smells similar but tastes like toothpaste, so stick with peppermint extract for that real festive flavor.
Crush Peppermint Candies the Easy Way: Toss them in a Ziploc bag and smash with a rolling pin for fine pieces that coat the cookies beautifully without being too chunky.

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep garnishes simple—just a sprinkle of finely crushed peppermint candies over the top adds sparkle and a fresh crunch. Sometimes, a light drizzle of melted white chocolate feels extra luxurious. It’s a quick way to amp up presentation for guests.

Side Dishes

For a full holiday spread, pair these snowball cookies with a warm cup of hot cocoa or peppermint-spiced coffee. They also complement a cheese board with mild cheeses nicely, offering a sweet contrast to savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I stacked these snowy beauties into festive cookie towers tied with a red ribbon for a “wow” gift presentation. You could also arrange them on pretty holiday plates alongside fresh pine sprigs or serve inside clear cellophane bags with a personalized tag—it makes sharing these cookies feel magical.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and flavorful for up to five days. Just be sure to keep them away from warm places and airtight to preserve that delicate coating.

Freezing

Frozen baked cookies? Absolutely. I line them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them gently at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t usually necessary, but if you want that fresh-baked feel, pop a few cookies in a warm oven (around 300°F) for 3-4 minutes. This helps refresh the texture without melting the sugar coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, chilling the dough overnight improves the flavor and makes shaping the cookies easier. Just cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.

What if I don’t have peppermint extract?

Peppermint extract is essential for the authentic flavor, but if you don't have it, you can use pure vanilla extract only for a milder taste. Avoid mint extract, as it tastes quite different and can be overpowering.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted. Also, chilling the dough before baking helps maintain the cookie shape and prevents spreading.

Can I substitute the chocolate chips?

Absolutely! White chocolate chips or even crushed peppermint bark can be fun alternatives. Just keep the chip size small to blend well with the dough.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe ties together my favorite holiday flavors and textures in one little bite of joy. They’re simple to make, fun to decorate, and perfect to gift or enjoy with a warm drink by the fire. I hope you give them a try—you might find they become a beloved tradition around your kitchen table, just like they have in mine.