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Peppermint Snowball Cookies – Soft, Minty & Perfect for Christmas

These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are the perfect blend of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and fresh, cool peppermint flavor. With finely crushed candy canes, vanilla, soft dough, and a snowy powdered sugar coating, these cookies bring instant Christmas cheer to every bite. They’re easy to make, stunning on holiday trays, and ideal for gifting, parties, and cozy December nights. If you love classic snowball cookies with a festive twist, this peppermint version will become your new seasonal favorite—sweet, minty, and irresistibly soft.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
bake time 14 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings: 28 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup Confectioners’ sugar powdered sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon Salt
Flavoring
  • 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Dairy
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter softened
  • Mix-ins / Dessert Additions
  • 1/3 cup Crushed candy canes
For Rolling
  • Additional powdered sugar for coating

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

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

  • 🍳

    Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

    View ↗
  • ⚡

    Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

    View ↗
  • 🔥

    CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

    View ↗

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Zip-top bag or food processor (for crushing candy canes)
  • Silicone spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • Small bowl for powdered sugar

Method
 

Step 1 — Preheat the Oven & Prep the Sheet
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2 — Crush the Candy Canes
  1. Add candy canes to a zip-top bag.
  2. Crush using a rolling pin OR pulse in a food processor.
  3. Make sure pieces are small but not powdered.
  4. Set aside.
Step 3 — Cream Butter & Sugar
  1. Add softened butter and powdered sugar to a bowl.
  2. Beat until creamy, fluffy, and light.
  3. This step gives the cookies their crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 4 — Add the Flavoring
  1. Mix in the peppermint extract.
  2. Add vanilla extract.
  3. Combine until the mixture is smooth and fragrant.
Step 5 — Add Dry Ingredients
  1. Add flour and salt to the bowl.
  2. Mix gently until a dough forms.
  3. Do not overwork the dough.
Step 6 — Add Crushed Candy Canes
  1. Fold in the crushed candy canes.
  2. Mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7 — Shape the Cookies
  1. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough.
  2. Roll into smooth balls with your hands.
  3. Place on the baking sheet.
  4. Leave small space between cookies (they don’t spread).
Step 8 — Bake
  1. Bake for 12–14 minutes.
  2. Cookies should stay pale with lightly set bottoms.
  3. Avoid overbaking for the softest texture.
Step 9 — First Snowy Coating
  1. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.
  2. Roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar.
  3. Place on a cooling rack.
Step 10 — Final Powdered Sugar Coat
  1. Once cooled completely, roll again in powdered sugar
  2. for the perfect snowball finish.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Keep in airtight container for 1 week.
Mint flavor becomes stronger after 24 hours.
Freezer (Dough)
Freeze formed dough balls for up to 2 months.
Bake from frozen: add 2 extra minutes.
Freezer (Baked Cookies)
Freeze before coating.
Thaw, then roll in powdered sugar.
Reheating
Not needed—cookies stay perfect at room temp.
🥄 Variations
1. Chocolate Peppermint Snowballs
Add mini chocolate chips for a mint-chocolate flavor combo.
2. White Chocolate Peppermint Snowballs
Fold in chopped white chocolate for a creamy twist.
3. Triple Mint Snowballs
Add extra peppermint extract + crushed mint candies.
4. Nutty Peppermint Snowballs
Add 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds or walnuts.
5. Vanilla Candy Cane Snowballs
Skip peppermint extract for a sweet vanilla-mint flavor.
6. Pink Peppermint Snowballs
Add natural beet powder for a soft pink holiday look.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my snowballs spread?
Butter may have been too soft—chill dough 10 minutes next time.
2. Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar?
No—powdered sugar helps create the tender, crumbly snowball texture.
3. Why did my candy cane pieces melt?
Pieces may have been too fine—keep slightly chunky.
4. Is peppermint extract strong?
Yes—1 teaspoon is perfect. More may overpower.
5. Can I use crushed peppermint candies?
Yes—works just like candy canes.
6. How do I make them red and white?
Roll in powdered sugar + sprinkle extra candy cane dust.
7. Are they chewy or crumbly?
They are soft, crumbly, and melt in your mouth.
8. Can I make them nut-free?
Yes—just skip nuts (recipe has no nuts unless added).
9. Can I freeze them fully coated?
They lose the snowy effect. It’s best to coat after thawing.
10. Do they taste like candy canes?
Yes—peppermint + real candy cane pieces = perfect holiday flavor.
🏁 Conclusion
These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are everything you want in a Christmas treat—soft, buttery, minty, and beautifully dusted in snowy powdered sugar. With crushed candy canes inside and peppermint extract for freshness, every bite tastes like pure holiday magic. Whether you’re making them for cookie trays, gifting boxes, or cozy nights with a warm drink, they deliver festive flavor and dreamy texture every time. Simple, beautiful, and irresistibly minty—these cookies will become a holiday tradition you look forward to every year!