Description
Minty Snowball Cookies are delightful, buttery treats filled with chopped mint chocolate chips and lightly dusted with powdered sugar for a snowy finish. These soft, flavorful cookies combine the refreshing taste of peppermint with the classic snowball texture, perfect for holiday celebrations or any cozy afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped mint chocolate or mint chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture. Then, add the vanilla and peppermint extracts and mix thoroughly to infuse the dough with flavor.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Gently fold in the finely chopped mint chocolate or chocolate chips to evenly distribute the minty chunks throughout the dough.
- Shape Dough: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls with your hands and place them spaced about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for slight spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain pale and soft, preserving their tender texture.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then gently roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar for a light coating. Once the cookies are completely cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve an authentic snowy, festive look.
- Storage: Store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature unsalted butter for smoother mixing and better texture.
- Ensure cookies are rolled in powdered sugar twice for the best snowball effect.
- Chopping mint chocolate finely helps distribute mint flavor in every bite.
- Do not overbake; cookies should remain pale for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- If desired, substitute mint chocolate with regular chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
