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, but makes the flavor outstanding); Royal Icing; Red gel food coloring; Black gel food coloring; Orange gel food coloring

There's something magical about baking adorable, festive treats, and this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is a perfect example. These sweet, buttery cookies shaped like cheerful snowmen bring a smile before the first bite. Plus, decorating them is just as joyful as eating them!

The image shows a white marbled surface with several snowflake-shaped cookies decorated with white icing and small blue candy centers. On a shiny red plate with detailed edges, five snowman-shaped cookies are neatly arranged, each decorated with smooth white icing covering the body, black icing for the eyes, mouth, and three buttons, and a black hat. The snowmen have orange carrot-shaped noses and bright red scarves that add a splash of color. The plate's rich red contrasts with the white cookies and the white marbled surface, creating a festive and cozy look. 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

When the holidays roll around, I reach for this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe because it feels like a mini celebration in my kitchen. They’re not just cute; they’re soft and flavorful, which keeps everyone coming back for more—plus, decorating them is a fun activity for all ages.

Festive and Fun Shape: These snowman-shaped cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings and really bring a seasonal vibe to your cookie platter.
Perfect Texture Balance: Soft cookies with just a hint of crisp edges that hold up well under royal icing.
Customizable Flavor: A touch of almond extract adds a delightful twist, but you can easily swap in your favorite extracts.
Great for Gifting: Once decorated and set, these cookies make a charming homemade gift that shows you care.

The image shows a collection of snowman and snowflake shaped cookies on a white marbled surface. Each snowman cookie has two white icing layers covering its body, topped with a black hat, small black dots for eyes, mouth and buttons, an orange carrot nose, and a bright red scarf on the neck. The snowflake cookies have a beige base with white icing forming intricate branches and details, and a small shiny blue bead in the center. The cookies are arranged closely together with some overlapping. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a vital role to ensure the cookies are flavorful, hold their shape, and provide a tender bite. While some of these might seem standard, trust me — the small details like room temperature butter and a pinch of almond extract really elevate these cookies.

Flat lay of a small heap of all-purpose flour, a small mound of granulated sugar, a solid stick of unsalted butter, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of deep black gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant orange gel food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, all arranged 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 backbone of cookie structure, spooned and leveled for accuracy to get the perfect dough consistency.
Baking Powder: Adds just enough lift so your cookies aren't flat but maintain a nice texture.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors beautifully.
Unsalted Butter: Using room temperature butter ensures smooth dough and helps cookies bake evenly.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and contributes to the cookie’s slight crisp edge.
Egg: Binds ingredients while adding moisture for that tender crumb.
Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor base that brings warmth to this sugar cookie dough.
Almond Extract (optional): A secret ingredient I love — just a splash adds a lovely depth without overpowering.
Royal Icing and Gel Food Coloring: For that snowy white base and the colorful details that bring your snowman to life.

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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 things about this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak the flavor to suit your taste or the season. I sometimes swap the almond extract for peppermint around Christmas, or go for lemon zest and extract in the winter months for a fresh zing. Give it your own spin!

Flavor Variations: Trying maple or coconut extract totally changes the vibe and adds a lovely surprise your guests will notice.
Dietary Modifications: You can substitute gluten-free flour blends if needed, but be sure to test the consistency as it might need a bit more or less flour.
Decorating Styles: Hand-piping the royal icing with different colors is so fun — or use edible markers for a quicker option.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients

Begin by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This simple step ensures even distribution, so your cookies bake consistently. Trust me, it makes a difference in the texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Smooth

In a large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment to beat the butter and sugar on high speed. You’ll want them to become completely smooth and creamy—this usually takes about 2 minutes. This step is where your cookies get that tender crumb and buttery flavor, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Next, add the egg along with the vanilla and, if you’re using it, almond extract. Beat again at high speed until everything is combined — about a minute. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your bowl to make sure every bit blends together perfectly.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Form Dough

Slowly add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low just until combined. The dough will feel a bit soft — if it's too sticky for your liking, sprinkle in a tablespoon more flour. You want it pliable but not clinging to your hands.

Step 5: Chill and Roll Out the Dough

Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each out between lightly floured parchment sheets to about ¼-inch thickness. Stack the rolled doughs with parchment in between, wrap, and chill for at least 1-2 hours or up to two days. Chilling is a game-changer for easy cookie cutting and beautiful shape retention.

Step 6: Cut and Bake Snowman Shapes

Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove the top dough layer, peel off parchment, and start cutting snowman shapes using a cookie cutter. Don't worry if dough scraps seem small; re-roll and keep cutting until all dough is used. Bake for 11-12 minutes, watching for light browning on edges, then cool on racks before decorating.

Step 7: Decorate With Royal Icing

Prepare royal icing and divide it into bowls to tint with red, black, and orange gel food coloring for scarves, hats, noses, and buttons. Pipe a white border and fill to create the frosty base, then add colorful details once it’s set. I like to refrigerate the cookies briefly to speed drying — plus it’s fun to watch the designs take shape!

Top Tip

After making these snowman cookies several times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that really help ensure success, especially if you’re making these for the first time or want that professional touch.

Perfect Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened but still cool to touch—too soft and the dough becomes sticky and hard to handle.
Chill is Essential: Don’t skip chilling the dough; it firms up fats and prevents spreading during baking, preserving your snowman shapes.
Use a Coupler for Efficiency: When decorating with multiple icing colors, couplers let you swap piping tips quickly, saving time and avoiding mess.
Rotate Your Baking Sheets: If your oven has hot spots, turning the pans halfway ensures even browning and perfect cookies every time.

How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

snowman sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping my decorated snowmen with tiny edible sugar pearls or a sprinkle of sparkling sanding sugar for little frosty glimmers. You can also try mini chocolate chips or colored sprinkles for the buttons if you want an easier icing-free option that still looks festive.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or a spiced holiday tea. For parties, setting up a hot chocolate bar alongside the cookies makes for a cozy, interactive experience everyone enjoys.

Creative Ways to Present

You can display these snowman cookies on a tiered dessert stand dusted with powdered sugar to mimic snow. For gift-giving, arrange them in clear boxes with holiday-themed tissue for an irresistible homemade present. I once made a “build-a-snowman” cookie decorating station for a kids' party, which was a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated and fully set, I keep my snowman sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for about 5 days — perfect for pacing out enjoying or sharing throughout the week.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the raw dough and decorated cookies with great results. Flatten the dough, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. For iced cookies, wait until the royal icing sets completely before layering with parchment and freezing. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature to enjoy later.

Reheating

While cookies don’t usually need reheating, if you prefer them warm, pop a cookie into the microwave for 8-10 seconds. Avoid heating decorated ones too long to keep the icing intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make snowman sugar cookies without almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and adds a lovely flavor boost, but vanilla alone works beautifully. Feel free to omit or substitute with other extracts like peppermint or lemon depending on your preference.

How long should I chill the dough before baking?

For best results, chill the dough for at least 1 to 2 hours. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut shapes without spreading too much during baking. If you’re in a hurry, 45 minutes can suffice, but longer is better.

What if my dough is too sticky to roll out?

If your dough feels too sticky, it might be that your butter was too soft or the kitchen is warm. Sprinkle in an extra tablespoon of flour and chill the dough longer. Rolling out between parchment paper with extra flour on top and your rolling pin helps prevent sticking.

Can I freeze decorated snowman sugar cookies?

Yes, you can freeze these cookies once the royal icing has completely dried. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe has become a holiday favorite in my home because it combines nostalgic flavors with playful decorating that sparks joy for kids and adults alike. Baking these treats feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, and sharing them makes all the effort worthwhile. So, grab your rolling pin and cookie cutters — I promise, you’ll love making (and eating) these snowy little smiles.