There is nothing quite as magical and festive as biting into a batch of Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe during the holiday season. These delightful cookies marry buttery softness, a refreshing hint of peppermint, and bursts of rich mini chocolate chips, all dusted with a snowy layer of confectioners’ sugar that looks just like freshly fallen snow. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or a cozy night in, this recipe is a surefire way to bring warm smiles, holiday cheer, and a touch of minty magic to your cookie jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simple yet essential ingredients, each chosen to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that irresistible snowball look. From creamy butter to aromatic peppermint extract, every element works together harmoniously to create the ultimate festive treat.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup softened): Adds richness and tenderness to the cookies, making them melt-in-your-mouth delightful.
- Confectioners’ sugar (1/2 cup plus extra for rolling): Sweetens the dough gently and creates that classic powdered sugar coating.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Balances the sweetness and helps the cookies develop a soft crumb.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and depth to the cookie flavor.
- Peppermint extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the unmistakable holiday minty freshness that elevates these snowballs.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The sturdy yet tender base that holds everything together.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, making this recipe irresistibly balanced.
- Mini chocolate chips (1 cup): Small packets of chocolate joy that spread sweet surprise in every bite.
- Optional green food coloring (a few drops): Adds a festive minty hue, making these cookies even more fun and colorful.
How to Make Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to help your snowballs bake evenly and lift off easily once done. This simple step sets the stage for cookie success.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with the confectioners’ sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale. This step is crucial because it aerates the dough and ensures the cookies stay tender and soft.
Step 3: Add Extracts and Optional Food Coloring
Gently mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts, which give your cookies that signature holiday aroma and flavor. If you want to add a festive touch, add a few drops of green food coloring now and stir until the dough is evenly tinted with a minty shade.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, stirring just until they combine. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
Step 5: Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips
Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. These little chocolate treasures add just the right bursts of sweetness and texture to your snowballs.
Step 6: Shape the Dough Into Balls
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll it gently between your palms into balls about an inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each so they have room to bake without sticking.
Step 7: Bake Until Lightly Golden
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the bottoms to develop a light golden hue while the tops remain pale. This ensures a soft center with just the right amount of structure.
Step 8: First Sugar Coating
Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, carefully roll each cookie in confectioners’ sugar. The warmth helps the sugar stick perfectly, creating the first layer of the snowball effect.
Step 9: Final Snowy Finish
After the cookies have fully cooled, roll them in confectioners’ sugar once again to give them that delightful, powdery snow-covered appearance—this finishing touch completes the Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe’s festive look and adds that signature sweetness.
How to Serve Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes can take your snowball cookies to the next level. Consider sprinkling crushed peppermint candies or drizzling a bit of melted dark chocolate over the cookies for a decorative and delicious upgrade. Even a small sprig of fresh mint on the serving plate adds a fresh burst of aroma and looks charming.
Side Dishes
These snowball cookies pair beautifully with warm drinks like rich hot chocolate, peppermint mocha, or classic eggnog. Their mint and chocolate flavors complement creamy beverages perfectly, making any holiday gathering extra cozy and flavorful.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun festive display, arrange the cookies in a pyramid or stack on a decorative plate dusted lightly with extra confectioners’ sugar to mimic snow. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane and tying them with red or green ribbons makes for adorable edible gifts that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days, making them a perfect cookie to bake ahead for holiday parties or last-minute guests.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these snowballs later, you can freeze the dough balls before baking or freeze fully baked and cooled cookies. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw before baking. Baked cookies freeze well for about 2 months.
Reheating
To bring your snowball cookies back to their fresh-baked glory, warm them briefly in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for about 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This softens the cookies without melting the sugar coating, perfect for enjoying that fresh, cozy bite.
FAQs
Can I substitute peppermint extract with another flavor?
Absolutely! While peppermint extract is what creates the iconic mint flavor in this Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe, you could try using almond or vanilla extract alone for a milder flavor. However, swapping it out will change the signature minty vibe.
What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips?
If mini chocolate chips aren’t available, regular-sized chocolate chips work fine—just chop them into smaller pieces if you want a similar texture and distribution throughout the cookie. Alternatively, white chocolate chips provide a different but delicious twist.
How do I make sure these cookies stay soft?
The key to soft snowball cookies is not to overbake them and to cream the butter and sugar well at the start. These cookies look a little underdone on top when they come out of the oven, but they finish baking as they cool, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I add food coloring to make the cookies more festive?
Yes! Adding a few drops of green food coloring to the dough before baking is a fantastic way to give your Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe a festive green tint. Just be sure to mix it evenly to avoid streaks.
Are these cookies gluten-free or can they be modified for dietary restrictions?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Always check that your other ingredients like chocolate chips are gluten-free as well.
Final Thoughts
There is truly something special about the Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe that transforms any day into a festive occasion. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing them with friends, or keeping a batch all to yourself, these cookies bring a joyful burst of minty chocolate magic and snowy sweetness to every bite. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and experience the warm holiday happiness it brings!
Print
Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Holiday Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a festive twist on classic snowball cookies, featuring refreshing peppermint extract and mini chocolate chips for a delightful mint-chocolate flavor. Soft, buttery, and generously coated in confectioners’ sugar, they make a perfect holiday treat to share.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- Optional: green food coloring (a few drops for a minty hue)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the confectioners’ sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add extracts and color: Stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. If desired, add a few drops of green food coloring to give the dough a festive minty hue, mixing until evenly incorporated.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to distribute them evenly, then gradually add this mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the dough to distribute them evenly without breaking them up.
- Shape cookies: Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll it into balls. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just beginning to turn a light golden color, indicating they are cooked through.
- Initial cooling and rolling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they firm up slightly, then roll each warm cookie in confectioners’ sugar to get the first snowy coating.
- Final sugar coating: Once the cookies have fully cooled, roll them in confectioners’ sugar again for a thick, snowy finish that enhances their appearance and sweetness.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- The optional green food coloring adds a festive touch but can be omitted.
- Roll the cookies twice in confectioners’ sugar for the best snowball effect.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming too dry.
- If you prefer, substitute peppermint extract with mint extract for a different mint flavor.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
