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 tsp cornstarch; 3 cups powdered sugar divided (2 cups and 1 cup); 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; 1¼ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips; ¼ cup finely crushed peppermint candies

There's something truly magical about biting into a snowball cookie—soft, buttery, and kissed with peppermint's refreshing zing. This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is the perfect festive treat, combining melt-in-your-mouth texture with cozy holiday flavors you'll want to make year after year.

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 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 so many variations of snowball cookies over the holidays, but this peppermint-infused version truly stands out. It’s like winter on your taste buds—fresh, sweet, and festive in the best way.

Perfect balance of flavors: The peppermint extract adds just the right amount of coolness without overpowering the buttery cookie base.
Soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture: Thanks to the cornstarch and powdered sugar coating, these cookies are delicate and buttery.
Festive and fun: The crushed peppermint candies add a pop of color and crunch that make these cookies irresistible at any holiday gathering.
Easy to make: Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie, the steps are simple enough to promise success and smiles.

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

The magic in this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe comes from classic cookie ingredients enhanced with peppermint and chocolate chips. Each element plays a role in texture, flavor, and the snowball effect.

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 that gives structure but keeps the cookie tender.
Cornstarch: A secret weapon for extra softness — it lightens the cookie and helps create that delicate crumb.
Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Softened, not melted—this adds richness and the perfect buttery flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Used both in the dough and generously rolled around the cookies for that signature snowball look.
Peppermint Extract: It must be peppermint, not mint! The pure extract gives that cool, refreshing holiday vibe without any toothpaste taste.
Vanilla Extract: Balances out the peppermint with warm, familiar notes.
Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A surprise little bite of chocolate in each cookie, making them extra special.
Hot Pink/Rose Food Color Gel: This adds a subtle festive color — optional but fun if you want your cookies to pop!
Crushed Peppermint Candies: Adds crunch and that perfect candy cane crunch outside the cookie 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

One of the things I love most about this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Once you have the basic dough down, the possibilities open up for adding your own twist or accommodating different preferences.

Variation: I sometimes add an extra tablespoon of crushed peppermint into the dough itself for more bursts of minty crunch throughout the cookie. It’s a personal favorite that really raises the festive factor!
Dairy-Free Option: Swap out the butter for a good quality vegan butter and make sure your powdered sugar is vegan-friendly. The texture changes slightly but still delicious!
Chocolate-Free: Leave out the mini chocolate chips if you want pure peppermint goodness — the cookies are still perfectly tasty without them.
Color Play: The hot pink food color gel is entirely optional, but it’s so fun on a cookie tray. You could try green or keep it classic white with just crushed peppermint candies.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a bowl. This combo helps create that soft, tender crumb we all love in snowball cookies. Then set it aside while you mix the wet ingredients. It’s a small step that makes a big texture difference.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In your mixer, beat the softened butter on medium-high for about 30 seconds. Add in 1 cup of powdered sugar and keep beating for another minute or so until it’s fluffy and creamy. This step is crucial for a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture, so don’t rush it. Just make sure your butter is nicely softened—not melted!

Step 3: Add Extracts and Mix Dry Ingredients

Lower your mixer speed to medium-low and add the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Peppermint extract is the star here—make sure you’re using pure peppermint to get the authentic, cool flavor. Now gradually mix in the flour and cornstarch mixture just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing will make your cookies tough, so gently does it.

Step 4: Add Color and Chocolate Chips

Turn your mixer back to medium speed and mix in the food coloring until the color looks even throughout the dough. Next, fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand or briefly with the mixer, just to spread them evenly. This little detail adds fun, delightful bites inside each cookie.

Step 5: Chill and Bake to Perfection

Cover your dough and pop it into the fridge for 10 minutes. This rest keeps the cookies from spreading too much when baking. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper—one for baking, one for cooling. Using a tablespoon scoop, form dough balls and place them an inch apart on the sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just set but the cookies are still soft.

Step 6: Roll in Sugary Peppermint Goodness

While the cookies bake, combine the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar with crushed peppermint candies in a bowl. When the cookies come out of the oven, let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then gently roll each cookie in the sugar-peppermint mix. Transfer the coated cookies to the second tray to cool completely, then roll them again for that classic snowy coating.

Top Tip

From baking these cookies multiple times, I’ve learned a few insider tips to nail the perfect Peppermint Snowball Cookies every time. These really help if you're new to the recipe or just want that ideal texture and flavor balance.

Butter Softness is Key: Make sure your butter is room temperature and soft, not melted. Melted butter makes the dough spread too much and lose that snowball shape.
Double Powdered Sugar Coating: The first roll when cookies are warm seals in that sugary crunch; the second roll after cooling perfects the snowy, festive look.
Use Peppermint Extract, Not Mint: Mint extract can give a medicinal, toothpaste-like taste. Pure peppermint extract delivers that refreshing holiday flavor we want.
Crushing Peppermint Candies Made Easy: Toss candies into a Ziploc bag and gently tap with a rolling pin — no mess and perfect-sized pieces for rolling your cookies.

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with the crushed peppermint candies sprinkled on top because they add that perfect pop of color and crunch. Sometimes I dust a little extra powdered sugar just before serving for an extra snowy effect. If you want, a drizzle of melted white chocolate looks gorgeous and ups the decadence factor!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite peppermint-flavored coffee drink. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside a cheese platter for holiday parties — the minty sweetness offers a delightful contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange the peppermint snowballs in a festive tin lined with tissue paper or stack them in a clear jar tied with a ribbon for gifting. You can alternate layers with crushed candy canes for a beautiful striped effect that looks as good as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for up to 5 days, although I have to warn you: they rarely last that long in my house! Make sure to keep them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these cookies, do it after baking and coating with powdered sugar. Store them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature—they retain their texture and flavor beautifully.

Reheating

These cookies don’t really need reheating, but if you want to warm them slightly, pop them in a low 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This freshens them up without melting the delicate sugar coating. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies too soft and sticky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of peppermint?

You could use only vanilla extract, but the cookie won’t have the distinctive peppermint flavor that makes this recipe special. Peppermint extract is essential for the festive, cooling taste that pairs so well with the buttery dough.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, before mixing. Also, chilling the dough for at least 10 minutes before baking helps the cookies hold their shape better. Using cornstarch in the dry ingredients also contributes to a tender but stable texture.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. This actually enhances the flavor and makes shaping the cookies easier. Just bring the dough back to a workable temperature when you’re ready to scoop and bake.

What’s the best way to crush peppermint candies?

Place your peppermint candies into a sturdy Ziploc bag and gently tap them with a rolling pin or meat mallet until they’re broken into small pieces. Be careful not to smash them into powder unless that’s the texture you want. This method keeps things tidy and gives you nice-sized candy bits for rolling cookies.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe feels like a warm hug during the holiday season. I love how simple yet special it is—the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the kitchen, eager to share stories and smiles over a plate of festive cookies. I hope you’ll give it a try and make these minty, buttery little snowballs a beloved part of your celebrations too.