Name: Christmas 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 tsp cornstarch; 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened; 1 tsp pure peppermint extract; ½ tsp pure vanilla extract; 5-6 drops hot pink/rose food color gel; 3 cups powdered sugar, divided (2 cups and 1 cup); 1¼ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips; ¼ cup finely crushed peppermint candies

There’s something magical about biting into a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie dusted in snowy sugar and infused with a refreshing peppermint zing. This Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe hits all the festive notes and brings that holiday sparkle right to your kitchen.

The image shows a pile of round cookies covered in white powder on a white plate. One cookie in the front is cut in half, showing a bright pink inside filled with many small dark brown chocolate chips. The cookies have a slightly rough texture under the powder. The background is a white marbled surface with blurred white bowls behind containing red and dark items. 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 Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe — the way the house smelled like winter wonderland was pure joy. These cookies are not only beautiful but deliver that perfect balance between soft, buttery, and minty freshness, which really sets them apart.

Delightful Peppermint Flavor: The pure peppermint extract combined with crushed candy creates a taste that truly screams holiday cheer.
Soft, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Thanks to cornstarch in the flour mix and buttery dough, these cookies melt rather than crumble.
Chocolate Chip Surprise: Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips give an unexpected and delicious twist that everyone will adore.
Beautiful Presentation: The vibrant rosy hue and snowy sugar coating make these cookies irresistible gifts or party treats.

A white plate is piled high with round, snow-white cookies coated in powdered sugar, each cookie showing faint pink and red spots of crushed peppermint inside. The cookies have a soft, slightly rough texture under the sugar dusting. Around the plate and between some cookies, bright red-and-white striped peppermint candies add vibrant color. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with small bowls blurred in the background, one filled with more peppermint candies and another with dark chocolate chips. The overall look is clean, festive, and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients here come together not just for taste but for texture and that festive vibe. I always suggest choosing quality butter and peppermint extract for the best flavor payoff. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one is important:

Flat lay of a small mound of fine all-purpose flour, a small pile of white cornstarch powder, a square slab of pale yellow salted sweet cream butter, a heap of fluffy powdered sugar, a few drops of bright pink food color gel in a tiny white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with glossy mini semi sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl holding finely crushed peppermint candies, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, and two small white ceramic bowls containing clear peppermint extract and pale vanilla extract placed 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 foundation for these cookies, providing structure.
Cornstarch: Key for giving the cookies that tender, soft crumb that almost melts on your tongue.
Salted sweet cream butter: Adds richness and a bit of saltiness to balance the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: Used both in the dough and coating, it’s essential for that snowy, delicate sweetness.
Pure peppermint extract: This is the star ingredient for authentic peppermint flavor — don’t substitute with mint extract!
Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor profile and enhances the other ingredients.
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds a little surprise sweet bite that perfectly complements the peppermint.
Hot pink/rose food coloring gel: For that extra festive pop of color — totally optional but fun!
Finely crushed peppermint candies: Provides crunch and an extra peppermint punch in the 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

I love how versatile this Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is. You can play around with a few simple swaps or additions to make these uniquely yours — let your creativity shine.

Variation: One year, I added a tablespoon of crushed peppermints right into the dough, and the extra crunch took these cookies to a whole new level. Totally recommend trying it!
Dietary swap: For a dairy-free version, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative but be sure it’s softened, not melted, for the best texture.
Color fun: You can switch the pink food coloring to green or leave it out altogether if you want classic white cookies — they still look magical dusted in powdered sugar.
Chocolate options: Try white chocolate chips or even peppermint-chocolate chunks for a twist that still keeps the festive vibe.

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

Step 1: Whisk and Prep the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. This combo is what gives the cookies that soft, tender bite instead of a typical crumbly texture. Set this aside while you move onto the wet ingredients — easy yet crucial step.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Beat your softened butter for about 30 seconds in a stand or handheld mixer — the butter must be soft but not melted. Then add 1 cup of powdered sugar and continue beating for 1 to 1½ minutes until it’s fluffy and light. This stage helps the cookies have that amazing melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 3: Add Extracts and Mix in Flour

Turn your mixer down to medium-low speed, add in the peppermint and vanilla extracts so the flavors are well distributed without losing fluffiness. Keep the speed low and slowly add in your flour mixture, just until everything is incorporated — you don’t want to overmix here or the cookies will toughen up.

Step 4: Color and Chocolate Chip Fun

Crank your mixer speed back up to medium and add the hot pink or rose food coloring. Mix until the dough is evenly colored — it makes these cookies so festive! Finally, toss in the mini chocolate chips and fold in gently so they’re evenly spread but the dough stays intact.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for 10 minutes. I know it’s tempting to skip this step, but it really helps the dough firm up, preventing your cookies from spreading too much and keeping that perfect round shape.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon scoop, scoop out the dough, roll it into balls, and space them about an inch apart on one sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes — you’re looking for a soft set with a slight golden tinge on the bottoms.

Step 7: Sugar and Peppermint Coating

While cookies bake, whisk together the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar with the crushed peppermint candies in a medium bowl. When the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before gently rolling each one in the sugar mixture. Transfer them to the second baking sheet.

Step 8: Final Dusting

Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them one more time in the powdered sugar and peppermint candy mix. This double coating creates the snowy white “snowball” effect that looks as good as it tastes.

Top Tip

From my many batches of Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe, a few simple tweaks made all the difference in getting the texture and flavor just right. These tips have saved me from common pitfalls:

Soft Butter, Not Melted: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature but not melted — this keeps the cookies from spreading too thin.
Use Peppermint Extract Seriously: Mint extract can ruin the flavor with a toothpaste-like taste. Stick with pure peppermint extract for authentic, festive flavor.
Chill Your Dough: Even a quick 10-minute chill helps the dough hold shape when baking and results in thicker, fluffier cookies.
Double Powdered Sugar Coating: Doing two rounds of rolling in the sugar mixture once cookies cool completely creates that classic snowball look and adds sweet crunch.

How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple to let the cookies shine, but a few crushed peppermint pieces sprinkled on a serving tray add festive sparkle. For gatherings, a dusting of edible glitter or a sprig of fresh rosemary nearby creates a pretty contrast and little holiday flair.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of hot cocoa, peppermint-infused coffee, or even a classic eggnog. For an adult twist, a chai latte or creamy Irish cream over ice brings out the warmth of the spices and mint.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these cookies layered with candy cane pieces in clear glass jars tied with red ribbons — instant crowd-pleaser gift idea. Another favorite is stacking them on a festive plate with alternating green and pink cookies for a colorful display that’s fun and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I find layering parchment paper between helps keep the sugar coating intact without cookies sticking together.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully too! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. They keep well for up to 3 months — perfect for prepping early holiday treats.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, I let them thaw at room temperature and then warm for about 5 minutes in a 300°F oven to bring back that fresh-baked softness without melting the sugar coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular mint extract instead of peppermint extract?

It’s best not to substitute with regular mint extract, as it tends to have a medicinal or toothpaste-like flavor that can overpower the cookies. Peppermint extract delivers that cool, refreshing taste perfect for these snowball cookies.

Why do these cookies need cornstarch in the flour?

Cornstarch tenderizes the cookies, keeping the texture soft and delicate rather than crumbly or hard. It helps create that melt-in-your-mouth effect which makes snowball cookies so addictive.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just cover it well and take it out 10 minutes before baking to make rolling easier.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Ensure your butter is softened but not melted, chill the dough before baking, and avoid overmixing once the flour is added. These steps help the cookies keep their round shape and soft texture.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is one of those timeless treats that instantly brings everyone around the kitchen table a little closer. They’re simple to make, look stunning, and taste like a festive hug in cookie form. I truly hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I do. Happy baking and merry holidays!