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); Royal Icing; Red gel food coloring; Black gel food coloring; Orange gel food coloring

Nothing beats that cozy feeling of baking festive treats at home, especially when they’re as charming as this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are not just adorable, but their buttery, lightly spiced base combined with colorful royal icing will make you smile from the very first bite. I’m excited to share how you can bring this winter whimsy right into your kitchen!

The image shows seven snowman-shaped cookies stacked on a white plate with detailed lace-like edges, all placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three layers: a smooth white icing base covering the whole snowman shape, a black hat on top with a slightly raised texture, and a bright red scarf wrapped around the neck. The faces have small black dots for eyes and mouths and an orange carrot-shaped nose. Three small black dots in the middle resemble buttons. Around the plate, there are a few snowflake-shaped cookies with white icing and light blue sugar decorations and a round cookie with white icing. 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’ve made quite a few sugar cookie recipes over the years, but this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe stands out because of the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and the fun of decorating. Whether you’re baking with kids or want to impress friends at your holiday party, these cookies hit all the right notes.

Perfect Texture: These cookies bake up soft yet sturdy enough to hold all the beautiful decorating you want to add.
Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together easily — no fancy or hard-to-find stuff required.
Customizable Flavors: Adding almond extract or switching to other extracts lets you put your own spin on them.
Decorating Fun: Royal icing colored in festive colors turns each cookie into a little work of edible art.

The image shows decorated cookies on a white marbled surface. There are two types of cookies: snowmen and snowflakes. The snowman cookies have a light golden base with a smooth white icing covering their whole bodies, three black buttons down the middle, small black dots for eyes and mouth, an orange carrot-shaped nose, a bright red scarf, and a black hat on top. The snowflake cookies have a similarly light golden base decorated with intricate white icing patterns and some sparkling sugar crystals with a shiny blue bead in the center. The cookies are spread out randomly but some overlap slightly, showing detail and texture clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe pulls together straightforward ingredients that complement each other beautifully. The all-purpose flour creates a tender base, while the butter and sugar make the cookies soft and melt-in-your-mouth perfect. I love how a hint of almond extract adds a subtle but unforgettable depth. If you shop for the best ingredients, your cookies will truly shine.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder powder, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a softened whole stick of unsalted butter resting on the edge of a white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of clear almond extract, three small white ceramic bowls each filled with thick royal icing colored bright red, deep blackish gray, and vibrant orange, all placed neatly in perfect symmetry, fresh and natural ingredients, 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

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, using spooned and leveled flour helps keep the dough from being too dense.
Baking powder: Just enough to give a tiny lift so the cookies aren’t flat and hard.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors beautifully.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter ensures creamy mixing; it’s key for that soft yet sturdy texture.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the slight crispness around the edges.
Egg: Acts as the binding agent; room temperature works best for a smooth dough.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor to round out the cookie base wonderfully.
Almond extract (optional): A small but mighty addition that elevates the flavor dramatically, trust me on this one!
Royal icing and gel food coloring: For decorating – brings the snowman to life with bright, vivid 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 of the best parts about this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is how much you can customize both flavor and decoration. I love trying out different extracts or adjusting the icing colors depending on the occasion. Don’t hesitate to get creative—you’ll enjoy making these your own!

Variation: I sometimes swap out almond extract for peppermint around Christmas, and it adds a festive twist that guests adore.
Dietary tweak: If you need dairy-free, try substituting with your favorite plant-based butter; results are great, just chill dough a bit longer to firm up.
Seasonal changes: For a spring look, use pastel-colored icing instead of the traditional red, black, and orange—your snowmen get a sunny makeover!

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

Step 1: Whisk and Cream

Start by whisking your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—in a bowl. Meanwhile, beat your softened butter and sugar on high speed until super creamy, about 2 minutes. This step is crucial because it creates that tender crumb everyone loves. Then add your egg and extracts, beating until everything’s combined and smooth. A quick scrape down the bowl helps keep things even.

Step 2: Bring It All Together

Mix your dry ingredients into the wet ones on low speed. The dough should be soft but manageable. If it feels sticky, sprinkle a little extra flour, a tablespoon at a time. It’s tempting to add too much, so go slow and watch the texture—you want it rollable but still tender.

Step 3: Roll, Chill, and Cut

Divide the dough in two, and roll each between lightly floured sheets of parchment paper to about ¼-inch thickness—this keeps cleanup easy and dough from sticking. Stack your rolled doughs with parchment in between and refrigerate 1-2 hours. Chilling really helps the shapes keep their form when baking.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare your baking sheets. Unwrap carefully and use your favorite snowman cookie cutter—this is the fun part! Arrange cookies 3 inches apart so they don’t spread into each other. Bake 11-12 minutes, rotating pans halfway if your oven tends to be uneven. Let cool completely before decorating for best results.

Step 5: Decorate with Joy

Prepare your royal icing in separate bowls with gel colors for red, black, orange, and leave some white. Start by piping the white base for the snowman’s body, then let it set in the fridge to firm up. From there, it’s all about personal flair: add scarves, hats, buttons, eyes, and carrot noses with precision and care. Patience here really pays off.

Top Tip

After making these snowman sugar cookies several times, I’ve learned a few secrets that will get you holiday-cookie-pro results every time.

Keep Butter Cool: Use butter that's softened but still cool to the touch — too soft and your dough gets sticky and hard to handle.
Chilling is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step. It lets the dough relax and makes cutting cleaner, so your snowmen keep their shapes perfectly.
Use a Coupler for Icing Tips: Switching icing colors is easier if you use couplers on your piping bags — saves a lot of time and mess.
Patience While Decorating: Let white icing crust before adding details; rushing causes colors to blend or run.

How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Snowman Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick to the classic royal icing colors—red scarves, black hats, and carrot noses—but sometimes I’ll add edible glitter or tiny sprinkles for a magical winter sparkle. It’s such a fun way to personalize each cookie and make them feel extra special.

Side Dishes

A warm mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider pairs beautifully with these cookies, making your gathering feel like a cozy winter celebration. If you’re serving them at a party, a selection of teas or coffee also works perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

I've wrapped decorated snowman cookies individually in clear cellophane tied with colorful ribbons for gifts. You can also arrange them on a festive platter with winter greenery or place them in cookie gift boxes with shredded tissue paper to wow your friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After decorating, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I find that layering them between sheets of parchment paper keeps the icing from smudging. They stay soft and tasty for about 5 days, perfect for enjoying during a week of holiday cheer.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the dough and fully decorated cookies. For the dough, I shape it into disks and wrap tightly before freezing—defrost in the fridge, then roll as usual. With decorated cookies, wait until the icing is completely dry, then layer in a freezer container with parchment between. They keep well for up to 3 months.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat cookies generally, but if you want to refresh them slightly, let frozen cookies thaw completely at room temperature. Avoid microwaving to keep icing intact. Freshly baked cookies always taste best when cool but not cold.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make snowman sugar cookies without royal icing?

Yes! While royal icing creates the classic look, you can substitute with store-bought icing, colored sugar, or even simple powdered sugar glaze for decorating. Just note the traditional crisp finish comes from royal icing.

What’s the best way to keep my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least 1-2 hours before cutting helps the shape hold during baking. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft, and avoid overworking the dough. Baking at 350°F ensures a nicely baked but not overly spread cookie.

Can I use cookie cutters other than snowmen?

Absolutely! This dough works well with practically any cookie cutter shape you like. I’ve tried snowflakes, stars, and holiday trees—all turn out great with this recipe.

How long does royal icing take to set?

Royal icing typically sets to a firm, matte finish in about 2-3 hours at room temperature. To speed this up, you can place your cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes after piping the base layer.

Final Thoughts

These snowman sugar cookies are more than just a holiday treat; they’re a small project that brings warmth, creativity, and smiles to the kitchen. I’ve made them countless times with friends and family, and each batch carries that same joyful spirit. Give this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe a try—you’ll end up with delicious, festive cookies and memories you’ll cherish.