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Peppermint Snowball Cookies – Soft, Minty & Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Treats

Few holiday cookies capture the magic of Christmas as beautifully as Peppermint Snowball Cookies. These soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are rolled in snowy layers of confectioners’ sugar and infused with cool, refreshing peppermint flavor. Each bite tastes like winter wonderland magic — buttery, lightly sweet, delicate, and studded with tiny candy cane bits for festive crunch. Inspired by classic snowball cookies (also known as Russian tea cakes or butterball cookies), this peppermint version brings a refreshing holiday twist. The combination of butter, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and vanilla creates a cookie that is tender, crumbly, and deeply comforting. Rolled twice in confectioners’ sugar, they look like tiny edible snowballs ready to brighten any Christmas dessert tray. Perfect for: Holiday cookie boxes Christmas Eve dessert platters Teacher gifts Winter parties Kids’ baking activities Pinterest winter content Candy cane lovers Let’s bake the most magical peppermint snowball cookies — soft, minty, snowy, and absolutely irresistible.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 28 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Your exact ingredient list, perfectly organized.
Dry Ingredients
  • 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup Confectioners’ sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon Salt
Flavoring
  • 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Dairy
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter softened
Dessert / Add-ins
  • ⅓ cup Candy canes crushed

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

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    Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

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  • ⚡

    Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

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  • 🔥

    CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

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Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Food processor or bag + rolling pin (optional for candy canes)

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Candy Canes
  1. Crush candy canes using:
  2. Food processor or
  3. Zip-top bag + rolling pin
  4. Aim for small bits — not powder.
  5. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
  1. In a large bowl beat:
  2. 1 cup softened butter
  3. ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
  4. Mix 2–3 minutes until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Extracts
  1. Mix in:
  2. 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  3. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  4. The mixture should smell refreshingly minty and sweet.
Step 4: Add Flour & Salt
  1. Add:
  2. All-purpose flour
  3. Salt
  4. Mix gently until dough forms a soft, crumbly consistency that holds together.
Step 5: Add Crushed Candy Canes
  1. Fold in the crushed candy canes.
  2. This adds color, crunch, and peppermint sparkle.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
  1. Refrigerate the dough 30 minutes.
  2. This prevents cookies from spreading and helps maintain their round snowball shape.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking sheets with parchment.
  3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
  4. Place on tray with slight spacing — they won't spread much.
Step 8: Bake
  1. Bake 10–12 minutes, or until:
  2. Tops are set
  3. Bottom edges are lightly golden
  4. Cookies feel firm
  5. Do NOT overbake — snowballs should stay pale.
Step 9: Roll in Powdered Sugar (Twice)
  1. While cookies are warm:
  2. Roll them in confectioners’ sugar for the first coat.
  3. After cooling fully, roll again for the snowy effect.
  4. This gives them the iconic snowball look.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Keeps fresh 7–8 days.
Freezer
Freeze up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature 20 minutes.
Reheating
Not needed — snowballs are served at room temperature.
🥄 Variations
1. White Chocolate Peppermint Snowballs
Add mini white chocolate chips to the dough.
2. Hot Cocoa Snowballs
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + chocolate drizzle.
3. Double Peppermint Snowballs
Use 1¼ tsp peppermint extract for stronger flavor.
4. Vanilla Peppermint Snowballs
Roll in vanilla-scented powdered sugar.
5. Candy Cane Crunch Snowballs
Roll the dough in crushed candy canes before baking.
6. Festive Sprinkle Snowballs
Replace candy cane bits with red–white sprinkles.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my snowballs crack?
Dough was too dry — add 1 teaspoon butter if needed.
2. Can I make them without peppermint?
Yes — just use vanilla.
3. Can I add chocolate?
Yes — white chocolate pairs beautifully.
4. Why didn’t my cookies stay round?
Dough was too warm — chill longer.
5. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze shaped balls and bake later.
6. Why does the sugar melt on the cookies?
Coat twice — once warm, once cooled.
7. Can I make them dairy-free?
Use vegan butter sticks.
8. Can kids help?
YES — rolling in sugar is super fun.
9. Can I tint the powdered sugar pink or green?
Yes — add a drop of gel color to the sugar.
10. Why do my cookies taste floury?
They were under-mixed — ensure dough comes together fully.
🏁 Conclusion
These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are the perfect holiday treat — soft, buttery, gently sweet, and infused with cool peppermint flavor. Rolled in snowy layers of powdered sugar and dotted with tiny candy cane pieces, they look like real snowballs and taste like pure Christmas joy.
Whether you're making them for a holiday party, a Christmas cookie box, or a festive Pinterest board, these cookies bring winter magic to every bite. They’re easy to make, beautiful to present, and guaranteed to become a seasonal favorite.
One bite and you'll be transported into a snowy winter wonderland — sweet, minty, and unforgettable.