Name: Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but recommended for outstanding flavor); Royal Icing; Red gel food coloring; Black gel food coloring; Orange gel food coloring

There’s something magical about the festive charm of a snowman, especially when it’s edible and sweet! This Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is not only adorable but also deliciously buttery with just the right hint of almond and vanilla. These cookies are pure joy to make and decorate — trust me, they’re worth every minute in the kitchen.

The image shows a white marbled surface with several snowflake-shaped cookies decorated with white icing and small blue candy centers. On a shiny red plate with detailed edges, five snowman-shaped cookies are neatly arranged, each decorated with smooth white icing covering the body, black icing for the eyes, mouth, and three buttons, and a black hat. The snowmen have orange carrot-shaped noses and bright red scarves that add a splash of color. The plate's rich red contrasts with the white cookies and the white marbled surface, creating a festive and cozy look. 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 Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to say, this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart. Decorating these little guys brings out the kid in me every single time. Plus, they’re not just cute — the soft texture combined with the subtle almond flavor makes these cookies irresistibly good.

Perfect Soft Texture: These cookies stay soft and tender, unlike many sugar cookies that turn rock hard.
Easy to Customize: The base recipe flavors blend beautifully with optional almond extract or even peppermint for a festive twist.
Fun to Decorate: Using royal icing in festive colors means endless creative possibilities — and everyone loves personalized snowmen!
Great for Gifts: Once decorated and set, these cookies make delightful homemade gifts that always impress.

The image shows a collection of snowman and snowflake shaped cookies on a white marbled surface. Each snowman cookie has two white icing layers covering its body, topped with a black hat, small black dots for eyes, mouth and buttons, an orange carrot nose, and a bright red scarf on the neck. The snowflake cookies have a beige base with white icing forming intricate branches and details, and a small shiny blue bead in the center. The cookies are arranged closely together with some overlapping. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe are classic yet thoughtfully chosen to produce that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Using room temperature butter and egg really helps the dough come together smoothly for better rolling and shaping.

Flat lay of a small heap of all-purpose flour, a small mound of granulated sugar, a solid stick of unsalted butter, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of deep black gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant orange gel food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: The structure builder — make sure to spoon and level it for accurate measuring to avoid dry cookies.
Baking Powder: Adds a subtle lift so cookies don’t turn out flat and tough.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming — I always use real butter for that rich flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb with slight crisp edges.
Egg: Binds everything together and keeps the dough from being crumbly.
Vanilla Extract: Essential warm flavor base that pairs beautifully with sugar.
Almond Extract (Optional): Just a little goes a long way — it adds a lovely nutty aroma that makes these snowmen extra special.
Royal Icing & Food Coloring: The star of the decoration stage — a smooth, hard-drying icing perfect for detailed designs in festive colors.

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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

One thing I love about this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak the flavors or decoration style to make it your own. Don't be afraid to experiment — that’s half the fun!

Variation: I often swap almond extract for peppermint or lemon zest during the holidays, which adds a fresh zing that everyone raves about.
Dietary Modifications: If you prefer, switch to a butter substitute and an egg replacer — though results may be slightly different texture-wise.
Seasonal Flair: Try shaping the cookies using other festive cutters if snowmen aren’t your style—think stars, trees, or snowflakes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk and Cream

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl — this keeps everything evenly distributed. Then, in your stand or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar on high until the mixture is velvety and light, about 2 minutes. This step makes a world of difference for texture because it incorporates air. Then add your egg, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing until smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Combine and Chill the Dough

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet on low speed, scraping down the sides as needed. The dough will be soft but not sticky—if it's too sticky, sprinkle a tablespoon more flour. Then divide in two, roll each into ¼-inch thick discs between parchment sheets, and stack carefully to chill in the fridge at least 1-2 hours or up to 2 days. Chilling is key — it firms up the dough for easier cutting and prevents spreading during baking.

Step 3: Cut and Bake Your Snowmen

Once chilled, gently peel away the top layers of dough and use your snowman cookie cutter to stamp out shapes. Don’t worry about scraps — just re-roll and keep cutting! Arrange cookies on lined sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart so they bake evenly. Bake at 350°F for 11-12 minutes until edges are just slightly golden. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to fully cool before decorating. This resting time is crucial so your icing won’t melt or slide off.

Step 4: Decorate with Royal Icing

Divide your royal icing into small bowls and tint with your red, black, and orange gels — I find stopping at a dark gray for the black works best since it sharpens as it dries. Use piping bags fitted with the right tips: wider tips for white borders and scarves, finer tips for tiny eyes and buttons. Pipe the white base first; then after it sets, add scarves, hats, faces, and noses in colors. Let the icing dry completely—about 2-3 hours at room temperature before packing or gifting.

Top Tip

After many batches of these Snowman Sugar Cookies, I’ve found a handful of tips that make all the difference between good and perfect cookies. Decorating is fun, but getting your cookie to look smooth and stay soft really makes you want to bake them again and again.

Chill Thoroughly: I cannot stress enough how important it is to chill the dough well before rolling — it keeps the shape while baking and prevents spreading.
Use Parchment Layers: When rolling the dough, always place parchment paper both under and over it to avoid excess flour and sticking.
Color Gradation: For black icing, stop adding gel color at a dark gray, as it deepens when it dries — helps avoid overly harsh-looking decorations.
Slow Icing Application: Pipe the white base and let it fully dry before adding details — patience here means less smudging and cleaner designs.

How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

snowman sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like keeping it simple with the iconic red scarf, black top hat, and classic carrot orange nose made from royal icing. Sometimes, I add tiny sugar pearls or edible glitter for a touch of sparkle that catches the light beautifully — it’s like giving your snowman a little holiday magic.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a creamy chai latte. During parties, I set them alongside a platter of fresh fruit and nuts to balance sweetness and keep the table festive and inviting.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged them standing upright on a tray using clear cookie stands to create a snowman village centerpiece. Another time, I packaged them individually in cellophane bags tied with red ribbon for gift-giving — such a hit with neighbors and coworkers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Storing them layered with parchment paper between keeps decorations intact and the cookies soft — perfect for enjoying a few days later without losing their charm.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm for both dough and baked cookies. For cookies, wait until royal icing sets fully before layering with parchment and freezing in a sturdy container. To thaw, just let them sit at room temperature or in the fridge overnight. I find the texture holds up beautifully this way—great for prepping ahead of a busy holiday!

Reheating

You don't really need to reheat these cookies, but if you want to enjoy them with a soft warm bite, microwave a single cookie for 5-7 seconds. This softens them slightly without melting the royal icing. Just be super gentle so your decoration stays intact!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I skip the almond extract in the Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! The almond extract adds a nice depth, but the cookies are delicious with just vanilla. You can also experiment with other extracts like peppermint or lemon for a seasonal twist.

How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Chilling the dough well before cutting and baking is key. Also, be careful not to use too much softened butter, and keep your oven at the correct temperature (350°F). Using a baking powder also helps keep the shape.

Why is chilling the dough important for this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Chilling firms up the dough which makes it easier to roll out and cut without sticky messes. It also prevents the cookies from losing their cute snowman shape and spreading too much in the oven.

How long does it take for royal icing to dry completely?

Typically, royal icing takes about 2-3 hours at room temperature to dry completely. If you need to speed it up, you can chill the decorated cookies briefly in the refrigerator — just be sure the icing is mostly set to avoid smudges.

Final Thoughts

Making these Snowman Sugar Cookies became one of my favorite holiday traditions because it combines creativity, comfort, and sweetness all in one batch. I’m excited for you to try this recipe and enjoy every buttery, festive bite that comes with it. Whether decorating solo or with loved ones, these snowmen bring smiles and a little extra warmth to any chilly day. Grab your rolling pin, it’s time to make some magic!