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

There’s something truly magical about these Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe — biting into their tender, buttery crumb with a burst of fresh peppermint and a gentle chocolate surprise feels like a holiday hug. They’re not just festive; they’re wonderfully addicting and perfect for sharing (or sneaking) during the season.

A white plate is filled with round cookies dusted heavily with white powdered sugar, showing little pink spots through the powder. One cookie is cut in half and placed on top of the pile, revealing a bright pink inside packed with many dark brown chocolate chips scattered evenly throughout. The background shows blurred white bowls, one filled with more pink and white cookies and another with dark chocolate pieces, all set on a white marbled surface. The overall look is soft and powdery with a stark contrast between the pink cookie inside and the white powdered sugar outside. 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’ve made countless holiday cookies over the years, but the Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe stands out because it’s so simple yet bursting with cozy flavors. The mix of peppermint, chocolate, and that signature snowy sugar coating makes every bite irresistible, plus they’re surprisingly straightforward to whip up.

Delightfully Festive Flavor: Peppermint and chocolate blend perfectly, giving you that classic holiday vibe in every bite.
Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy ingredients or equipment—just basic pantry staples and a bit of love.
Perfect Texture: Soft and tender inside but with a delicate sugary “snowball” outer coating that melts in your mouth.
Customizable: You can add a pop of color or extra peppermint candies for a personal twist.

A white plate filled with about two layers of round, soft cookies covered in a thick layer of white powdered sugar with small red peppermint bits showing through. Scattered on and around the plate are several red and white striped peppermint candies. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with small dark chocolate chips, sitting on a white marbled surface. The image is bright and clean, with soft lighting and a shallow focus that highlights the cookies in the center photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is in its simplicity: classic cookie ingredients get an uplifting peppermint twist, with chocolate chips for unexpected bites. The cornstarch softens the texture, making these cookies melt-in-your-mouth, while the peppermint candies add that fun crunch and festive flair.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour beside a tiny pile of cornstarch, a half cup of softened salted sweet cream butter shaped gently into a square block, a mound of fine white powdered sugar, a few drops of vivid hot pink food color gel in a tiny white ceramic bowl, a few semi sweet mini chocolate chips scattered neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely crushed peppermint candies, and two small white ceramic bowls containing clear peppermint extract and pale vanilla extract placed symmetrically, all arranged with perfect balance 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 base of the cookie, providing structure without heaviness.
Cornstarch: Keeps these cookies extra tender and light—a small addition with a big effect!
Salted sweet cream butter: Use softened butter (not melted) for the perfect dough texture and a rich, creamy flavor.
Powdered sugar: Divided to sweeten the dough and form the iconic snowball sugary coating.
Pure peppermint extract: This is your secret weapon—make sure it’s peppermint, not mint, to avoid toothpaste vibes.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, balancing the peppermint’s brightness.
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Small bursts of chocolate make every bite fun and give a lovely contrast.
Hot pink/rose food gel: Optional but adds a festive pop if you want a bit of color with your cookie snowball.
Finely crushed peppermint candies: Adds crunch and festive sparkle to the outside coating––pro tip: crush easily with a rolling pin in a Ziploc bag.

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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

What I love most about this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make yours. I like to sneak in extra peppermint candies or adjust the color for different holidays (pink for Valentine’s too!). Feel free to experiment with mix-ins or even swap out chips for crushed candy canes if you want that extra peppermint punch.

Variation: Adding a tablespoon of crushed peppermints right into the dough is a little trick I picked up to amp up the texture and peppermint flavor—totally worth trying!
Dietary adjustment: For a gluten-free version, try using a flour blend that can substitute 1:1, but keep the cornstarch for softness.
Decorative options: You can roll the finished cookies in colored sugar instead of crushed peppermint for a different holiday look.

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

Step 1: Whisk and Prep the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a bowl. This ensures even distribution and helps create that wonderfully tender texture. Set this dry mix aside while you cream your butter and sugar—easy prep goes a long way!

Step 2: Cream Butter & Powdered Sugar

Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter on medium-high for about 30 seconds to get it fluffy. Then add 1 cup of powdered sugar and beat for another minute to blend it all smoothly. The key here is softened butter, not melted, or your cookies might spread too thin later.

Step 3: Add Peppermint, Vanilla & Flour

Lower your mixer speed to medium-low and gradually mix in the peppermint and vanilla extracts—this is where the fragrant magic starts. Then, keeping that gentle speed, add the flour mixture little by little. Mix just until you see the dough come together; overmixing can toughen cookies.

Step 4: Color and Chocolate Chips

Turn the speed up a bit and add your red or pink food coloring gel to get that festive pop of color. Mix just until uniform. Finally, stir in the mini chocolate chips carefully—you want them spread evenly without breaking.

Step 5: Chill & Bake

Chill the dough for 10 minutes to make rolling easier and avoid spreading in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F, line two baking sheets (one for baking, one for cooling), then scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the sheet about an inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set but not browned.

Step 6: The Snowball Sugar Coating

While baking, mix the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar with the crushed peppermint candies. Once cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, roll them gently in this mixture, transfer to the second sheet, and after they’re completely cool, roll them again for that signature snowy look and sweet crunch.

Top Tip

From my many batches made, these tips have really helped me nail this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe every single time. They keep the cookies tender, gorgeous, and perfectly coated.

Butter Temperature: Always use room temperature, softened butter—not melted—to prevent cookies from spreading.
Cornstarch Magic: Don’t skip the cornstarch! It’s the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Double Sugar Coat: Rolling cookies twice in the powdered sugar and crushed peppermint gives a beautiful snowy finish and extra crunch.
Cool Completely: Cookies need to be fully cooled before the second sugar roll—warm cookies will crumble easily.

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Snowball Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically keep garnishes simple—just a sprinkle of extra crushed peppermint on top of the fully coated cookies adds a nice festive glisten. Sometimes I toss a few mini candy canes nearby for guests to enjoy the full peppermint experience.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or even a creamy latte for a satisfying holiday snack. They also make a perfect plate addition at cookie exchanges or next to a festive cheese board for sweet contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

I love creating a “snowy” cookie platter with white doilies, evergreen sprigs, and a dusting of powdered sugar “snow.” For gifts, I wrap stacks of these cookies in clear boxes tied with red ribbons—always a hit with friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Peppermint Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days—perfect for a week of holiday snacking.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I pop the baked and cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly at room temp, just be sure to re-coat with powdered sugar if needed to refresh that snowy look.

Reheating

Rather than microwaving, I gently warm leftovers in a low oven (around 300°F for 5 minutes) to soften them up without losing their shape or sugary coating. This step revives their fresh-baked charm surprisingly well.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! I often make the dough a day ahead, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and chill it in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors meld and makes rolling easier.

Why is cornstarch used in this recipe?

Cornstarch is a game-changer here—it softens the cookie’s texture and prevents toughness. It gives that tender, melt-in-the-mouth crumb that snowball cookies are famous for.

Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint?

I don’t recommend swapping mint for peppermint extract because mint often has a medicinal or toothpaste-like flavor. Peppermint extract is sweeter and fresher, which complements the cookies perfectly.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and chill the dough before baking. Also, spacing the dough balls about 1 inch apart on the pan helps them keep their shape.

Final Thoughts

I’ll honestly say these Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe always bring joy to my kitchen—their bright peppermint flavor with that snowy sugar coating feels like a little winter celebration every time I make them. Once you try these, I bet you’ll find them as comforting and impossible to resist as I do. So go ahead, make a batch (or two), and share the love – or keep them all to yourself; no judgment here!