Name: Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional); Royal Icing; red gel food coloring; black gel food coloring; orange gel food coloring

There’s something truly magical about biting into a perfectly soft, sweet sugar cookie shaped like a cheerful snowman. That's exactly why I adore sharing this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe with you—a recipe that brings cozy winter vibes and festive fun to your kitchen in every bite.

The image shows a white marbled surface with several snowflake-shaped cookies decorated with white icing and small blue candy centers. On a shiny red plate with detailed edges, five snowman-shaped cookies are neatly arranged, each decorated with smooth white icing covering the body, black icing for the eyes, mouth, and three buttons, and a black hat. The snowmen have orange carrot-shaped noses and bright red scarves that add a splash of color. The plate's rich red contrasts with the white cookies and the white marbled surface, creating a festive and cozy look. 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 Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is one that has quickly become a holiday favorite in my house because it’s not only delicious but also incredibly fun to make (and decorate!). The dough is soft and tender, the flavors just right, and the decorating options endless.

Soft, flavorful dough: The blend of vanilla and almond extract adds a subtle depth that makes these cookies extra special.
Fun for all skill levels: Whether you’re decorating with kids or gifting to friends, this recipe is approachable yet impressive.
Perfect for festive gatherings: These snowman shapes immediately bring a smile and become a centerpiece on any holiday cookie tray.
Great for prepping ahead: You can make the dough days in advance, and the finished decorated cookies keep well for sharing or gifting.

The image shows a collection of snowman and snowflake shaped cookies on a white marbled surface. Each snowman cookie has two white icing layers covering its body, topped with a black hat, small black dots for eyes, mouth and buttons, an orange carrot nose, and a bright red scarf on the neck. The snowflake cookies have a beige base with white icing forming intricate branches and details, and a small shiny blue bead in the center. The cookies are arranged closely together with some overlapping. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating the perfect cookie. The combination of all-purpose flour, butter, sugar, and a touch of extracts brings the classic flavor and texture you crave.

Flat lay of a small heap of all-purpose flour, a small mound of granulated sugar, a solid stick of unsalted butter, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of deep black gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant orange gel food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: It gives structure to the cookies, and using the “spooned and leveled” method ensures you don’t end up with tougher cookies from too much flour.
Baking powder: Just a hint helps the dough rise slightly, keeping the cookies light and tender.
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature, it blends smoothly with sugar and creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, and when creamed with butter, it adds to the cookie’s delicate crumb.
Egg: Adds richness and helps bind everything together perfectly.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and classic sweetness to every bite.
Almond extract (optional): A little goes a long way—this addition can elevate your cookies to a whole new flavor level.
Royal icing and gel food coloring: Essential for that snowy white base and fun, vibrant decorations to bring your snowmen to life.

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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

What I love about this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can tweak flavors and decorations to suit your mood, or switch things up for different occasions.

Almond Extract Variation: I often swap almond extract for peppermint around the holidays—it adds a cool, refreshing twist to your snowmen!
Seasonal Spices: Adding a little cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice gives the cookies a cozy, autumnal feel perfect for early winter celebrations.
Decorating Freedom: Feel free to get creative with your icing colors and designs—sometimes I add little buttons made of sprinkles or edible glitter to make each cookie unique.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients Carefully

Start by whisking the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. This helps distribute the leavening agent evenly, so your cookies bake consistently. Trust me, taking this simple step makes rolling and cutting much easier later on.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Dreamy

In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar on high speed until the mixture is super smooth and creamy—this usually takes about 2 minutes. Don’t rush this step; the texture you achieve here sets the stage for tender cookies. Then add the egg and extracts, beating for another minute to fully combine.

Step 3: Bring Dough Together Gently

Mix your dry ingredients into the wet mixture at low speed until just combined. The dough might feel soft, but if it’s sticky and difficult to work with, sprinkle in a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time. Remember, softer dough means softer cookies, so add flour cautiously.

Step 4: Roll and Chill Like a Pro

Divide the dough into two parts, roll each to about ¼-inch thickness on floured parchment or silicone mats, then stack them with parchment on top. Chilling the dough for 1–2 hours (or up to 2 days) is a game changer—it firms up the dough, makes cutting cleaner, and helps cookies keep their shape in the oven.

Step 5: Cut, Bake, and Cool Carefully

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Using a snowman cookie cutter, cut shapes from the chilled dough, re-rolling scraps as you go. Place cookies spaced apart on lined baking sheets, bake for 11–12 minutes until edges just begin to brown. Let cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack—this prevents breakage.

Step 6: Decorate and Bring These Snowmen to Life

Prepare royal icing and divide into small bowls for white, red, black, and orange with gel food coloring. I like to pipe a clean white base first, then add red scarves, black hats, and buttons, and orange noses with small piping tips. Refrigerate briefly between layers to set the icing—this layered decorating approach keeps everything neat and lovely.

Top Tip

From baking dozens of batches myself, I’ve found a few simple tweaks that really make a difference in your Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe experience.

Room Temperature Butter Magic: Soft but still cool butter blends best and prevents greasy dough.
Chill Like a Champ: Don’t skip chilling your dough; it keeps the dough firm and improves cookie shape retention during baking.
Use a Coupler: It makes switching between different icing colors and tips so much easier when piping details.
Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies when edges just start to brown for that perfect soft texture.

How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

snowman sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I keep garnishes simple but festive: colored royal icing is my go-to for hats, scarves, and cute facial features. Sometimes I add edible glitter or small sugar pearls as buttons or eyes for extra sparkle that kids love.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of hot chocolate or a spiced winter tea. I often set them out alongside a cheese board at holiday parties, offering a sweet counterpart to savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like presenting these snowman cookies on a tiered dessert tray with fresh pine sprigs and little fairy lights woven around. You can also package them in cellophane bags tied with seasonal ribbons for lovely homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After decorating, I store leftover snowman cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay delightfully soft and fresh for about five days, which means you can enjoy them all week without worry.

Freezing

I freeze these cookies both pre- and post-decoration. For decorated ones, wait until the icing fully sets, then layer them with parchment paper inside freezer-safe containers. They keep well up to 3 months! When thawing, bring them to room temperature slowly for the best texture.

Reheating

Since these sugar cookies are delicious at room temperature, I usually don’t reheat them. If you want a fresh-baked warm feel, pop them in a 300°F oven for just a few minutes—watch carefully to avoid drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cookie cutter shape for this recipe?

Absolutely! While this is a Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe, the dough is versatile enough for any festive shape—stars, trees, or classic circles all work wonderfully.

What’s the best way to prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough before cutting and baking is key. It firms up the fat, helping cookies keep their shape in the oven. Also, avoid over-creaming butter and sugar to reduce excess air incorporation.

Can I make this cookie dough without almond extract?

Yes! The almond extract is optional but recommended. You can omit it or replace it with other extracts like peppermint, coconut, or lemon depending on your flavor preference.

How long does the royal icing take to dry completely?

Royal icing typically sets within 2-3 hours at room temperature. You can speed this up by refrigerating the cookies briefly between decoration layers.

Final Thoughts

This Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe isn’t just a treat; it’s a joyful experience from mixing to munching that brings out your inner kid and fills your home with warmth. I genuinely hope you try it out, share it, and make it a part of your family traditions as it is in mine. Happy baking, friend!