Name: Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 3 cups powdered sugar, divided (2 cups and 1 cup); 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened; 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 5-6 drops hot pink/rose food color gel; 1 1/4 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips; 1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candies

There’s something utterly magical about biting into a soft, snowy cookie with a refreshing burst of peppermint—trust me, this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that. With its tender texture and festive flair, it's a treat that’ll have you reaching for seconds (and thirds) before you know it.

A white plate is filled with round cookies dusted heavily with white powdered sugar, showing little pink spots through the powder. One cookie is cut in half and placed on top of the pile, revealing a bright pink inside packed with many dark brown chocolate chips scattered evenly throughout. The background shows blurred white bowls, one filled with more pink and white cookies and another with dark chocolate pieces, all set on a white marbled surface. The overall look is soft and powdery with a stark contrast between the pink cookie inside and the white powdered sugar outside. 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 Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

For me, these Peppermint Snowball Cookies are the ultimate festive indulgence. I adore how the peppermint flavor shines through without ever overpowering, and the double roll in powdered sugar gives you that classic snowball look and melt-in-your-mouth feel—simply irresistible!

Perfect Texture: Soft, buttery, yet slightly crumbly cookies that don’t turn rock-hard as they cool.
Festive Flavor: The pure peppermint extract combined with crushed candies provides a refreshing holiday spark.
Eye-Catching Appearance: The bright pink color swirl with chocolate chips and snowy coating makes them look stunning for any holiday platter.
Simple Yet Impressive: You don’t have to be a pro baker to nail these, and they make your kitchen smell heavenly!

A white plate filled with about two layers of round, soft cookies covered in a thick layer of white powdered sugar with small red peppermint bits showing through. Scattered on and around the plate are several red and white striped peppermint candies. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with small dark chocolate chips, sitting on a white marbled surface. The image is bright and clean, with soft lighting and a shallow focus that highlights the cookies in the center photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in creating that tender crumb and signature flavor. From fluffy flour to rich butter and the magical peppermint extract, here's why each one matters—and a few tips for picking the best!

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour beside a tiny pile of cornstarch, a half cup of softened salted sweet cream butter shaped gently into a square block, a mound of fine white powdered sugar, a few drops of vivid hot pink food color gel in a tiny white ceramic bowl, a few semi sweet mini chocolate chips scattered neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely crushed peppermint candies, and two small white ceramic bowls containing clear peppermint extract and pale vanilla extract placed symmetrically, all arranged with perfect balance 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: Provides structure but keeping cornstarch in the mix softens the cookies for that delicate bite.
Cornstarch: This little addition is a secret weapon for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Make sure it's softened, not melted, so your cookies bake just right without spreading too much.
Powdered Sugar: Used two ways—to sweeten the dough and for that classic snowball coating.
Pure Peppermint Extract: Essential for that authentic, cool peppermint flavor (avoid mint extract—it tastes like toothpaste!).
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to balance the peppermint zing.
Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Tiny bursts of chocolate throughout that compliment the peppermint beautifully.
Hot Pink/Rose Food Color Gel: For that festive, candy-cane look that makes these cookies stand out.
Finely Crushed Peppermint Candies: Adds crunch and extra peppermint flavor in the sugar coating.

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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

While I adore these cookies as they are, I love adding a personal twist now and then. Feel free to tweak the peppermint intensity or swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate or even crushed candy canes straight in the dough. It’s all about making these snowballs yours.

Variation: One year, I stirred in an extra tablespoon of crushed peppermint candies directly into the dough. It gave such a delightful texture and extra minty kick—that’s definitely worth trying if you love a little crunch!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour and cornstarch in a bowl. This mix ensures your cookies bake up tender yet still hold form nicely. Set this aside—you’ll use it a little later on.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat your softened butter for about 30 seconds until smooth. Then add one cup of powdered sugar and beat for another minute or so. The key here is the butter shouldn’t be melted—softened is perfect for the right texture.

Step 3: Add Extracts & Mix Dry Ingredients

Turn your mixer down to medium-low; add peppermint and vanilla extracts carefully—remember, peppermint extract is concentrated, so a little goes a long way! Gradually add your flour-cornstarch mixture next, stirring just until everything comes together.

Step 4: Add Color & Chocolate Chips

Now increase mixer speed to medium and mix in the pink food coloring until the dough shows a uniform rosy hue. Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips gently, just enough to distribute them evenly.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Pop the dough into the fridge for about 10 minutes. This cooling helps firm up the dough, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 6: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—one for baking your cookie balls and one to cool the cookies after you roll them in the sugary peppermint coating.

Step 7: Shape and Bake

Use a 1-tablespoon scoop or a spoon to portion out your dough. Roll each into a ball and place them about an inch apart on the first baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden—don’t overbake them to keep that tender snowball texture.

Step 8: Prep Snowy Peppermint Coating

While your cookies bake, whisk together the remaining two cups powdered sugar with finely crushed peppermint candies in a medium bowl. This double coating is what gives these cookies their iconic snowy look and delightful peppermint crunch.

Step 9: Roll in Sugar, Cool, and Roll Again

Once out of the oven, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—warm cookies are fragile! Then roll each cookie in the sugar-peppermint mixture, transfer to the second baking sheet, and once completely cool, roll again for that perfect snowball finish.

Top Tip

Through baking these cookies multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference to the final product. These tips will help you get that melt-in-your-mouth texture and beautiful snowy finish every time.

Butter Consistency: Always use butter that’s softened, not melted. Melting leads to cookies spreading too thin and losing their snowball shape.
Double Sugar Coating: Don’t skip rolling the cookies once they’re fully cooled—it locks in the snowball effect and prevents crumbling.
Peppermint Extract Only: Use pure peppermint extract, not mint extract, for a genuine candy-cane flavor and to avoid that toothpaste taste.
Crushing Peppermints: Place candies in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush with a rolling pin—easier and less messy than chopping!

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra crushed peppermint candy on top of the cookies just before serving—it adds that extra sparkle and crunch. For a fun touch, sometimes I set them on small peppermint leaves or edible glitter for special occasions.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha for an extra cozy feel. I also enjoy serving them alongside some homemade eggnog or a simple glass of cold milk for kids and adults alike.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these peppermint snowball cookies in a layered glass jar with bits of crushed candy canes between layers, creating a colorful and festive display. Wrapping stacks in clear cellophane tied with red ribbon makes them perfect as thoughtful gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature where they stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in a cool spot helps maintain the perfect texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully—wrap them tightly in plastic wrap then place into a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen, they stay fresh for about 3 months, so you can prep batches ahead of the holidays without worry.

Reheating

To enjoy frozen cookies, I simply thaw them at room temperature for about an hour. If I want them a little warmer, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave brings back that fresh-baked softness without melting the sugar coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar?

Powdered sugar is key in this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe, especially because it helps achieve the signature soft texture and snowball coating. Using granulated sugar would change the texture and the cookie coating won’t have that delicate, snowy finish.

Why is it important to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which makes shaping easier and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking. This step helps maintain the snowball shape and ensures a tender texture.

Can I substitute peppermint extract with mint extract?

I wouldn’t recommend using mint extract—it tends to have a medicinal, toothpaste-like flavor. Pure peppermint extract gives the fresh, candy-cane taste that makes these snowball cookies so special.

How can I crush peppermint candies easily?

One of my favorite tricks is to place the candies in a sealed Ziploc bag, then gently smash them with a rolling pin. This method keeps things tidy and lets you control how fine or chunky you want the candy pieces.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe enough, especially for the holiday season. Baking them fills my kitchen with that warm, minty aroma that instantly puts me in a festive mood. Plus, sharing them with friends and family always brings smiles and happy memories. Give these a try—you’ll see why I keep coming back to this recipe year after year!