Description
Delightfully tender and minty, these Snowball Cookies are perfectly buttery with a refreshing peppermint twist and rich mint chocolate chunks. Lightly coated in powdered sugar, they offer a snowy finish that’s perfect for holiday treats or anytime you crave a minty sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped mint chocolate (or mint chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar together until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer. Then add the vanilla and peppermint extracts, mixing well to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender. Gently fold in the finely chopped mint chocolate or mint chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still pale and soft to touch.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they are warm but no longer hot. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat. Once fully cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for a thick, snowy coating and extra sweetness.
- Store Properly: Transfer the cookies into an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to one week, maintaining freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use softened butter for ease of creaming and to achieve a smooth dough consistency.
- The second powdered sugar coating really enhances the classic “snowball” look and adds extra sweetness.
- You can substitute mint chocolate with regular chocolate chips if preferred, but it won’t have the minty flavor.
- Ensure cookies are not overbaked to keep them soft and delicate inside.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
