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

There’s nothing quite like biting into a tender cookie dusted with snowy sugar and kissed by peppermint—the Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that magical winter wonder. It’s a festive crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to bake as it is to share.

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 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 remember the first time I made this Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe—each bite was like a little snowy celebration in my mouth. It’s the perfect balance of soft, buttery texture with a refreshing peppermint zing that makes it unforgettable during the holidays.

Festive Flavor Burst: The combination of peppermint extract and crushed candies brings a holiday cheer that’s difficult to resist.
Soft, Melting Texture: These cookies practically melt in your mouth thanks to cornstarch and the double coating of powdered sugar.
Fun and Easy to Make: Even if you’re no baking pro, the step-by-step is straightforward and rewarding.
Perfect for Sharing: With 42 cookies per batch, you’ll have plenty to gift, snack on, or turn into a festive platter everyone loves.

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

Every ingredient in this Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe plays its part to create that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture and cool peppermint punch. Here’s a quick rundown on what makes each one important—and a couple shopping tips to keep in mind.

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 that holds everything together; fluff it before measuring to avoid dense cookies.
Cornstarch: A secret weapon for the softest crumb—it lightens the dough beautifully.
Salted sweet cream butter: Adding richness and moisture; make sure it’s softened, not melted, for best results.
Powdered sugar: Both in the dough and coating, it gives a delicate sweetness and that iconic snowy look.
Peppermint extract: Go for pure peppermint extract to get that refreshing, authentic flavor without any toothpaste-y aftertaste.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and rounds out the flavors in the dough.
Mini semi sweet chocolate chips: Little bursts of chocolatey goodness that add texture and flavor contrast.
Hot pink/rose food color gel: A playful tint to make your cookies pop with holiday spirit—optional, but fun!
Finely crushed peppermint candies: For that festive crunch and pretty speckled coating mixed with powdered sugar.

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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 putting my own spin on the Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe depending on the mood—sometimes I sneak a bit more peppermint candy into the dough for extra crunch, or swap chocolate chips for white chocolate chips when I want a softer look and sweeter bite. Feel free to play around!

Chocolate Chip Swap: Using peppermint bark chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips adds even more peppermint flavor and festive texture. I tried this and the cookies were a major hit at my office party.
Butter Variation: Unsalted butter works too if you want more control over saltiness—just add a pinch more salt in the dough.
Food Coloring: Omitting food color keeps the cookies classic white snowballs, perfect if you prefer a more rustic look.
Gluten-Free Option: Try swapping regular flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend; just reduce cornstarch slightly to maintain texture.

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

Step 1: Whisking the Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a bowl—whisk them together well. This step is key because cornstarch softens the flour's protein, which gives your cookies that tender, almost melt-away texture. Setting the mixture aside for now keeps things organized as you prep the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Using either your stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter for about 30 seconds. It’s important your butter is soft but not melted; this traps air to create that light texture. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and continue beating for 1 to 1½ minutes until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. This is when the magic starts!

Step 3: Adding Extracts and Flour

Slow the mixer speed to medium-low and pour in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. This gives you a punch of holiday aroma. Then, gradually add your flour and cornstarch mixture, mixing just until everything comes together—overmixing can toughen your cookies. Keep an eye on the texture; it should feel soft but slightly crumbly.

Step 4: Coloring and Chocolate Chip Toss

Turn the mixer to medium speed and add drops of hot pink or rose food coloring until the dough has a uniform, festive blush. Then fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips just until they’re evenly scattered throughout the dough. It’s the little pockets of chocolate that make these cookies truly special.

Step 5: Chilling and Preparing to Bake

Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Chilling firms it up so your snowballs hold their shape while baking instead of spreading out too thin. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper—one for baking the dough balls and one for the cooling, sugar-coated cookies.

Step 6: Baking and Sugar Coating

Use a 1 tablespoon scoop to pick up dough and roll it into balls, placing them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes—the edges will be firm but the center tender. While they bake, mix the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and crushed peppermint candies in a bowl. When the cookies come out, let them rest for 5 minutes before rolling them in the sugar mixture to get that snowy white finish. I always recommend rolling them again once completely cool for the best powdery effect.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe enough times to know the difference a few small details make. These tips have saved me from crumbly disasters and dull flavor every year.

Butter Consistency: Always use room temperature softened butter, not melted. This creates the tender crumb and prevents spreading.
Peppermint over Mint: Use peppermint extract only. Mint extract tastes more like toothpaste and can overpower the cookie’s flavor.
Double Sugar Coating: Roll cookies in powdered sugar once warm and once cooled—this ensures that iconic snowy look and prevents crumbling.
Crushing Peppermint: Place candies in a sealed bag and use a rolling pin or heavy skillet to crush them finely—this is easier and cleaner than doing it by hand.

How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Snowball Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to the classic powdered sugar and crushed peppermint candies for garnish because it gives that true snowy look and a bit of sparkle. Sometimes I add a tiny swirl of melted dark chocolate drizzle for a touch of elegance when serving at holiday parties. It adds a nice contrast both visually and flavor-wise.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy drink—think peppermint hot chocolate or a creamy eggnog. If you’re hosting a cookie exchange, I love setting them alongside gingerbread men and spiced sugar cookies to create a festive cookie platter full of variety and color.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday season, I arranged these Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe in a tiered glass cake stand, alternating layers with fresh cranberries and sprigs of pine—everyone loved how festive and inviting the display looked. You can also gift them in clear cellophane bags tied with red or green ribbons for a quick and pretty homemade present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—stacked gently with parchment paper between layers to keep the powdered sugar coating intact. They stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days, though I’ve rarely had leftovers last that long!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, which is great for holiday prep. I freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t usually necessary since they’re best served at room temperature, but if you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop a few in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This lightly softens them without melting the powdered sugar coating—perfect for that just-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute peppermint extract with mint extract in this recipe?

It’s best to use pure peppermint extract because mint extract can taste like toothpaste and overpower the delicate balance of flavors in the cookies. Peppermint extract delivers a crisp, sweet peppermint flavor without any bitterness.

Why is cornstarch added to Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe?

Cornstarch helps produce a tender, softer texture by lightening the flour’s protein structure. This makes the cookies melt in your mouth rather than being dense or chewy.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Making the dough a day ahead and chilling it in the refrigerator actually improves the flavor and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. Just cover it tightly before chilling.

How do I prevent these cookies from crumbling when rolling in powdered sugar?

Wait until the cookies are fully cooled before rolling them the second time in powdered sugar. Rolling warm cookies can make them fragile and prone to crumbling. The double rolling once cool ensures a beautiful and sturdy snowball finish.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking tradition. Each batch fills the kitchen with warm, minty cheer and never fails to bring smiles. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do—and that they become a festive staple in your cookie rotation year after year.