Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Published: Dec 27, 2012 · Modified: Dec 1, 2021 by Jocelyn · As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

Jump to 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!

Love peppermint treats? Be sure to check out our peppermint stick ice cream and these peppermint Oreo cookies.

A holiday napkin with a few white chocolate peppermint snowball cookies topped with candy canes on it.

Jump to:

Why Make Snowballs
Ingredients Needed
How to Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Storage Recommendations
Recipe FAQS
More Christmas Cookies
Recipe

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. Or you can make them chocolate and stuff them with a Hershey's kiss like these chocolate bon bon cookies.

Why Make 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.

Shortbread cookie balls topped with white chocolate and candy cane pieces.

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.

Three white chocolate dipped peppermint snowballs topped with candy canes on a holiday napkin.

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.

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 the cookies cool completely.
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.

Recipe FAQS

Why are my snowballs 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.

A holiday napkin with three peppermint snowball cookies topped with white chocolate and candy canes on it.

More Christmas Cookies

Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below.

Recipe