Name: Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup (40g) crushed candy canes (about 3–4 regular-size candy canes); 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners’ sugar

There's just something magical about biting into a melt-in-your-mouth cookie that carries a refreshing hint of peppermint and a snowy dusting of sweetness. This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is the perfect festive treat to brighten any day, and once you make them, you'll see why they become an instant favorite.

A close-up view of many small round cookies covered thickly in white powdered sugar. The cookies are light beige inside with small red bits scattered throughout the dough. Two cookies are broken to show their soft, crumbly texture and the red specks inside. The cookies sit piled up closely together. The scene is set against a white marbled texture, with soft natural light highlighting the powdery surface. 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

I absolutely adore these peppermint snowball cookies because they bring a festive twist to a classic snowball cookie. They're buttery, tender, and the crushed candy canes add that perfect pop of minty sweetness—like a little holiday party in every bite. Plus, they're surprisingly easy to whip up!

Perfect Texture: Soft, buttery centers that practically dissolve on your tongue but hold their shape beautifully.
Festive Flavor: The peppermint extract and crushed candy canes bring a refreshing, holiday-inspired kick.
Simplicity: With straightforward ingredients and clear steps, even beginners can nail this recipe.
Great Make-Ahead Option: The dough chills well, and the baked cookies freeze beautifully for later enjoyment.

A close-up of a pile of round cookies covered fully in a thick layer of white powdered sugar with small red specks scattered on them. The cookies are stacked closely together on a white plate, and the texture of the cookies looks soft and slightly crumbly under the powdered sugar. The background is a white marbled texture, adding a clean and simple look to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe come together in a way that balances flavor, texture, and that iconic snowball appearance. Each one has its role—whether it’s to add richness, sweetness, or that festive peppermint spark.

Flat lay of a few large chunks of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine confectioners’ sugar, a couple of whole uncracked brown vanilla beans beside a small white bowl holding clear peppermint extract, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a pinch of coarse salt scattered beside it, crushed bright red and white candy cane fragments arranged in a small white bowl, and an additional shallow white bowl containing more confectioners’ sugar for coating, all perfectly spaced and symmetrically arranged, placed 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

Unsalted butter: The base for our cookie, softened to room temp for the creamiest dough and tender crumb.
Confectioners’ sugar: Adds sweetness and gives that iconic powdery coating.
Pure vanilla extract: A warm undertone that complements the mint without overpowering it.
Peppermint extract: Essential for that cool, festive flavor—it’s concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure without weighing down the cookies.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and heighten flavors.
Crushed candy canes: The festive star—adds crunch, texture, and bright peppermint bursts throughout.

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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 of my favorite parts about this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Over the years, I’ve found simple tweaks that let you dial up or down the peppermint flavor or experiment with different coatings, so you can make these cookies exactly how you like them.

Variation: Sometimes I swap half the crushed candy canes for finely chopped white chocolate chips—adds a creamy sweetness that balances the peppermint perfectly.
Dietary tweaks: You can easily use gluten-free flour blends if you want to make a gluten-free version; just be mindful that texture might be slightly different.
Less sweet option: Reduce the confectioners’ sugar in the coating by a quarter cup if you prefer less sweetness but keep the festive look.

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

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your softened unsalted butter with confectioners’ sugar until it’s smooth and creamy—that usually takes about a minute or so with a handheld or stand mixer. This step is key for those melt-in-your-mouth textures, so don’t rush it. Make sure your butter is at room temperature; if it’s too cold, the dough won’t come together properly.

Step 2: Mixing in the Flavors

Next, add the vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until fully combined—this is when your kitchen will start smelling like holiday heaven! Remember, a little peppermint extract goes a long way, so stick to the recipe amounts to avoid an overpowering aftertaste.

Step 3: Adding the Dry Ingredients and Candy Canes

Mix in the flour and salt on low speed to prevent flour clouds in your kitchen. At first, the dough will seem dry, but once it’s fully incorporated with a high speed beat, it magically comes together. The crushed candy canes get folded in last to infuse every bite with a delightful crunch and aroma.

Step 4: Chilling the Dough

Cover your dough tightly and chill it for at least 30 minutes — or up to 3 days if you’re planning ahead. I usually bake a batch one day and use leftovers later, letting the dough come to room temperature before scooping so it’s easier to work with. Trust me, this chilling step is what keeps the cookie texture just right.

Step 5: Baking the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Roll the dough into 1 Tablespoon-sized balls — I find using a cookie scoop makes this super easy and consistent. Space them at least 2 inches apart to prevent sticking as they spread slightly during baking. Bake for about 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the tops remain just barely browned.

Step 6: The Perfect Sugar Coating

Here’s the secret to that iconic snowball look: after letting the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, gently roll them in confectioners’ sugar while still warm. The sugar melts slightly to stick well. Then, once completely cool, roll them a second time to give them a beautiful, snowy finish that’s irresistibly sweet.

Top Tip

From my experience, the key to the best Peppermint Snowball Cookies is balancing the dough firmness with proper chilling and rolling technique. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls like cracking or messy sugar coatings:

Room Temperature Butter: Using butter that’s too cold or melted can wreck the texture; it should be soft and creamy, not greasy or hard.
Dough Chilling: Chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up the butter, resulting in well-rounded cookies that don’t flatten out too much.
Rolling in Sugar Twice: The first coating melts slightly on warm cookies, and the second coats perfectly once cool—don’t skip the second round!
Use a Cookie Scoop: This helps make uniform-sized balls, ensuring even baking and perfect results every time.

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little extra crushed candy cane on top of the coated cookies for an extra festive touch and crunch that looks so pretty. Sometimes, I even drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate for a fancy finish that’s stunning on a holiday dessert table.

Side Dishes

These cookies go beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea. On Christmas mornings, I often serve them alongside a cheese platter with fresh fruit for a cozy brunch spread that everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging the peppermint snowballs in a circle on a festive plate, dusted with powdered sugar to mimic snow. Another favorite is packaging a few in clear cello bags tied with red ribbon—a perfect homemade gift that never fails to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Peppermint Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I find they stay perfectly tender and fresh if you keep them away from humidity and heat.

Freezing

I usually freeze leftover baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just pop them in a sealed container or freezer bag, and thaw at room temperature or in the fridge. For unbaked dough balls, freeze on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a bag; bake straight from frozen adding an extra minute or so to the baking time.

Reheating

If you want to refresh the cookies after freezing, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave softens them up, or warm in a 300°F oven for just a few minutes. This brings back that freshly baked feel without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract?

Peppermint oil is much more concentrated than extract, so if you decide to substitute, use significantly less—typically around a quarter of the amount. Start with a drop or two and adjust to taste carefully to avoid overpowering the cookies.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough firms the butter, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also helps develop the flavors and makes the dough easier to handle when rolling into balls.

How do I avoid the sugar coating melting off?

Roll the cookies in confectioners’ sugar twice—once when they are warm (to let the sugar stick) and once after they’ve completely cooled. This method seals the coating and prevents it from melting or falling off.

Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative, but keep in mind the texture and flavor might change slightly. Make sure the peppermint extract and other ingredients you use are vegan-friendly, too.

Final Thoughts

These Peppermint Snowball Cookies have been a staple in my holiday baking for years, and I genuinely believe they're the kind of treat that brings people together. Whether you're baking for a party, gift exchange, or just your own sweet tooth, these cookies deliver that cozy, minty comfort we all crave. Give this recipe a try—you might just find a new tradition in the making!