These festive peppermint snowball cookies are soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. With a refreshing hint of peppermint and a delicate crumb, they’re perfect for holidays, gifting, or cozy winter baking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• They require simple pantry ingredients and come together quickly.
• No chilling time is needed—perfect for last-minute baking.
• The peppermint flavor beautifully complements the buttery cookie base.
• They bake into soft, tender cookies that stay delicious for days.
• Great for freezing and ideal for holiday cookie trays.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookies:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

For rolling:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies (optional for extra peppermint)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
4. Add the flour and salt, stirring just until a dough forms.
5. Fold in the finely crushed peppermint candies.
6. Scoop the dough into portions of about 1 tablespoon each and roll into balls.
7. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1–2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden.
9. Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes—they should be warm but not hot.
10. Roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar.
11. Once the cookies have fully cooled, roll them again for a thick, snowy coating.
12. If desired, mix extra crushed peppermint into the powdered sugar for a pink, peppermint-speckled finish.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes approximately 24–28 cookies.
Prep time: about 10 minutes
Bake time: 11–13 minutes per batch
Total time: about 25 minutes

Variations

• Substitute almond extract for the vanilla for a nutty twist.
• Add mini chocolate chips for a chocolate–peppermint combination.
• Roll the warm cookies in flavored powdered sugar such as vanilla sugar for a different finish.
• Drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant festive touch.
• For a softer peppermint flavor, reduce the peppermint extract to 1/4 teaspoon.

Storage/Reheating

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• To freeze, place the cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• If cookies lose their snowy look, re-roll them lightly in powdered sugar before serving.

FAQs

How finely should I crush the peppermint candies?

Crush them into small, fine pieces—too large and they may create hard chunks in the cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Bring it to room temperature before shaping.

Do these cookies spread in the oven?

They barely spread, so it’s fine to place them slightly closer together than typical cookies.

Can I omit the peppermint extract?

Yes, but the peppermint flavor will be much lighter. The crushed candies alone provide only subtle flavor.

What can I use instead of candy canes?

Any hard peppermint candy works well.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely—this recipe doubles easily without adjustments.

Why roll the cookies twice in powdered sugar?

The first roll sticks to the warm cookie; the second gives them their signature snowy finish.

Can I add food coloring to the dough?

Yes, a small amount of red or green coloring can create a festive swirl effect.

Are these cookies supposed to be soft or crunchy?

They should be soft, buttery, and tender—never crunchy.

How do I prevent the cookies from becoming too dry?

Avoid overbaking; remove them when the bottoms just begin to turn golden.

Conclusion

Peppermint snowball cookies are a delightful blend of buttery richness and cool peppermint sweetness, making them an irresistible winter treat. Simple to prepare, beautiful to present, and wonderfully festive, they’re a must-bake for any holiday season. Enjoy them fresh, share them as gifts, or freeze a batch for whenever you crave a cozy peppermint bite.

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