Christmas cookie season is here and everyone is looking for an easy-to-make holiday cookie. These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are the perfect treat. Everyone loves these Christmas cookies because they are delicious AND festive!
Love peppermint treats? Be sure to check out our peppermint stick ice cream and these peppermint Oreo cookies.
I have been making these peppermint snowball cookies for years. I don’t even remember when or where I found this cookie recipe. But it isn’t the holiday season until we make one or two batches of these snowballs.
Snowballs are traditionally rolled in powdered sugar while they are warm. This makes them white like a snowball. But I like to dip them in white chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes on them instead.
These are one of my all time favorite cookies to make for Christmas because they melt in your mouth. You can also make these year round by just changing out the extract to another flavor and topping them with sprinkles.
Why You Will Love These Snowballs
Peppermint snowballs are the perfect Christmas cookies for any gathering or party. Candy cane sprinkles make them so festive looking which is always fun for the holidays.
They are easy to make and taste so good. Each one is soft, buttery, and melts in your mouth.
You can use different flavors or colors of candy canes to give the rolled shortbread cookies a different look. Sprinkles are another great option.
Ingredients Needed
The best part about these cute little peppermint snowballs? You do not need any fancy ingredients or equipment – just a few basic things from your fridge and pantry.
Decorate the tops with your favorite candy canes to add a sweet crunch and color.
- Butter – We use unsalted butter in our recipes and adjust with extra salt if needed. You can use salted butter if that’s what you have in your fridge, just adjust the amount in the recipe.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the cookie dough.
- Egg – Provides the moisture and binds the ingredients together.
- Flavorings – a mixture of vanilla and peppermint extracts and salt give these little candy cane cookies a great flavor.
- Flour – Thickens the dough. Make sure you are measuring the flour correctly.
- Toppings – White chocolate and candy canes add a delicious flair to each peppermint cookie. If candy canes are out of season, use crushed peppermint candies instead.
How to Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies
This peppermint snowball recipe is easy to make and tastes great. These Christmas cookies are the perfect treat to package and send across the miles. (Full printable recipe at the bottom of post.)
- Mix the dough. Beat the softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Add egg and extracts and mix again. Slowly add flour and salt and continue mixing until a stiff dough forms.
- Refrigerate. Pat into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill the dough ball for one hour. This is optional. If you do not have time, you can bake the dough right away. Chilling just helps the balls stay a little more round as they bake.
- Roll into balls. Divide the cookie dough into 36 even dough balls and place on baking sheets.
- Bake and cool. Place the pan in the oven and bake until lightly brown on the bottoms. Remove and let cool.
- Decorate the snowballs. Once the cookies have cooled, dip the tops in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
Storage Recommendations
- Counter – Store the finished peppermint snowballs in a tightly sealed container on your counter for 4-5 days.
- Freezer – Place the undecorated cookies in a tightly sealed freezer bag or container and freezer for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature before adding the toppings.
FAQ’S
Why are my cookies so crumbly?
There are two things that seem to affect these cookies. First, make sure your butter is room temperature, so it can mix in easily.
Second, be very careful when measuring your flour. The right way to do that is by fluffing the flour, then spooning it gently into a measuring cup. Use a flat edge to level it off.
How do you crush candy canes?
I like to place broken candy canes into a freezer safe ziplock bag. Make sure it is closed, then place it inside a towel.
Use the edge of a wooden spoon or a meat hammer to crush the pieces into little pieces. Some of the pieces may puncture the bag, but they stay contained for the most part.
More Christmas Cookies to Make
- Molasses Crackle Cookies
- Peppermint Meltaways
- Mint Chocolate Pudding Cookies
- Rolo Cookies with Cake Mix
- Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
- Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies
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Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Christmas cookie season is here and everyone is looking for an easy-to-make holiday cookie. These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are the perfect treat. Everyone loves these Christmas cookies because they are delicious AND festive!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white chocolate melting wafers
- 8 whole candy canes, smashed
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Beat in egg and extracts.
- On low speed, beat in the flour and salt. Dough will be crumbly, but you can press it into a dough ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Shape dough into 36 balls and bake on a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Move cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt the white chocolate wafers according to package directions. Dip the tops of the cookies into the melted chocolate and roll in crushed candy canes.
- Place the cookies on waxed paper to harden. Store in a sealed container.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Peppermint Snowball Cookies was first published December 2012. The post was updated December 2021.
Mariah says
My dough is too crumbly and won’t come together? Did this happen to anyone else?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It will seem dry, but when you press it into balls it stays. Are you sure you measured all the ingredients correctly?
Esther says
These looks amazing!! I want to make them for Christmas this year. I am looking at the recipe and I don’t see the temperature. Is it 325F like most snowball cookies I see? Thanks!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’ll have to update that…sorry. It should be 350 degrees.
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik says
love these!! Can’t wait to try…
Paula-Riverton Housewives says
Those look so yummy! Can’t wait to try the recipe out! We’d love for you to link this to our party!
Jenn says
These look delicious! Great way to use up all of our left over candy canes! P.S. I’m not a fan of the cold either – I’m happy if the snow stays in the mountains so I can just visit if I want to!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Wait a minute, hooooooooooow did I miss these? Seriously, the prettiest looking snowball cookies I’ve ever seen!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Ashley!!!
julie marling says
All these cookies look awesome! I am pinning now 🙂
I am a new follower from Whimsy Wednesday. I am hosting Like Me on facebook now. Love to have you link up your fan page 🙂
Holly Lefevre says
I really need to stick to a diet and have no control when I see sugar….I am going to have to exhibit real self control when I visit here!
Megan says
All of these look delicious. 🙂
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says
This is great!!! Love these cookies and your twist on them looks amazing! Living in the South, snow is very exciting….for about a day…not my favorite to have to get around in and yes..the whole getting the kids ready to go out…yuck! 🙂
Emily says
These look so good, and I love the idea about using different extracts and topping to change the flavors for other times of the year.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you Emily. It is an easy way to get a different but same cookie.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I would NOT be able to live where there is snow. I would seriously freeze to death or starve. 🙂 These cookies are gorgeous Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks girl! It was a fun one to shoot! And all winter long I keep wishing I was in a warm place…snow is not fun!!!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
cookie’d out?? no way. 🙂 Jocelyn, these are your best yet cookies – honestly they look SO good. All that peppermint. mmm. these are right up my alley. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful, AMAZING, new years eve. 🙂 xo
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’m glad I’m not the only one to keep cranking out the cookies! Thank you so much Sally…that means so much coming from you 🙂 All the peppermint chunks on top were definitely the best part!!! Have a wonderful New Years Day girl!!!
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
Oh I love Snow! Everyone at work tries to put a Curse on me every time I do my Snow dance and hope that we get 10 feet of snow! I tell them they should be happy with that much snow we wouldn’t have to come to work! These cookies do look great and I think they would look amazing for Valentines day!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Sorry but I would be putting a curse on your snow dance too 🙂 Snow and I just don’t get along that well…unless I can stay indoors all winter long. And with kids to take to school and groceries to buy…that’s not going to happen. But somebody has to like the white stuff, so it’s all you girl 🙂
stephanie says
Those are adorable! I would make them just because they are so cute!
Steph
swtboutique.com
Six Sisters says
Thanks for linking up your Peppermint snowball cookies at our Strut Your Stuff Saturday! Happy New Year! -The Six Sisters
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I should start timing how long it takes me to put my three kiddos into their winter outfits. And there is always someone who doesn’t want this hat or these gloves! lol Love these cookies! Great use for all of the leftover candy canes!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
When mine were little it seemed to take so long, and then they didn’t want to stay out for very long! It is getting better now that they are older, but they still complain about the gloves and stuff:-)
Erin @ Making Memories says
I love how you changed these up. They look so fancy! Yum.
Ashton @ Something Swanky says
Um, hi. Total snow hater here. BIG TIME. Cookies look delish 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It makes me happy to know I’m not alone in the snow hate 😉
Deborah says
Oh my goodness – I totally hear you!! I live in Utah, which is totally the wrong state – because I’m not a huge snow fan. I like it on Christmas, but besides that, I wish it was spring. But I’d gladly take some of these cookies any day of the year!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Yes, snow on Christmas Day and then bring on the spring. I like the way you think!!!
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More says
I feel the exact same way about snow!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one 🙂
Sandi says
Not fair! We were seriously in a bubble and didn’t get jack. It never snowed here! Looking at the radar, it was seriously in every town surrounding us. We were all very disappointed! Oh and my girls said, YUM when they saw me looking at these pictures. :0)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Hahaha! You can have all of mine…I will gladly share!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Eek! I love these tender, minty cookies! We don’t get snow here in Northern California, so I don’t really know what it’s like to pack up and get ready for a day in the powder, but we DID get a TON of rain this weekend and couldn’t go anywhere without heavy-duty rainboots and a coat–unusually for CA!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I would gladly take your rainy day over the cold white stuff:-) Maybe I need to move to N CA!!!