Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Delight in these festive Peppermint Snowball Cookies, featuring a tender buttery base infused with refreshing peppermint extract and a hint of festive red coloring. Perfectly baked until lightly golden and rolled in a generous coating of confectioners sugar, these cookies melt in your mouth with a sweet, minty finish—ideal for holiday celebrations or year-round treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 53 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2/3 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
- Red or pink food dye, as desired
Coating
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Mix the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and 2/3 cup confectioners sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Add the flour, kosher salt, and peppermint extract, then beat just until all ingredients are combined. Slowly add the red or pink food dye until the dough reaches your desired color.
- Chill the dough. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to shape. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape and bake the cookies. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a uniform ball using your hands. Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Coat the cookies. Pour 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar into a large resealable plastic bag. Add a few cookies at a time to the bag, then shake gently to coat each one thoroughly in sugar. Place the coated cookies back onto the cookie sheet and repeat the coating process with the remaining cookies. For an extra sweet finish, shake the cookies in confectioners sugar once more after they have fully cooled. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Using salted butter helps balance the sweetness but can be substituted with unsalted butter; adjust salt accordingly.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for easier handling and better cookie shape retention during baking.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, increase the peppermint extract slightly but be cautious not to overpower.
- If desired, use natural food coloring for a healthier option.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Keywords: peppermint snowball cookies, peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, snowball cookies, festive cookies, buttery cookies, peppermint extract cookies
