Oh my goodness, are you ready for the coziest, most festive cookie that you can whip up in a snap? Because I’m about to share my absolute favorite Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies! These little delights are like a winter wonderland for your taste buds. Imagine the rich, deep flavor of chocolate just absolutely singing with a cool, bright burst of peppermint, all wrapped up in a cookie that just melts in your mouth. I first made these during the craziest holiday season ever, and honestly, they were a lifesaver! They look so fancy dusted in powdered sugar, but trust me, they are SO incredibly easy to make. It felt like a little Christmas magic every time I pulled a batch out of the oven. They’ve been a total hit ever since!
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Honestly, these cookies are just a dream for so many reasons! They’re:
- Irresistibly Flavorful: The perfect marriage of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint is just divine.
- So Easy to Make: Seriously, even if you’re new to baking, you can totally nail these. No fancy skills needed!
- Texture Heaven: They’re perfectly tender and melt-in-your-mouth with that lovely powdered sugar coating.
- Festively Gorgeous: That snowy look makes them perfect for any holiday spread or cookie exchange.
- Super Quick: You can have a batch ready from start to finish in less than an hour.
Gather Your Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Alright, ready to make some magic? You’ll need just a few simple things from your pantry to get these yummy Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies going. Make sure your butter is nice and soft – it makes a world of difference when you start creaming it! Here’s what you’ll need:
You’ll need 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, half a cup of granulated sugar to get things sweet, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract for that classic background flavor. Oh, and don’t forget the star of the show: 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract for that crisp, cool kick! For the dry stuff, grab 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder for that deep chocolatey goodness, and a pinch of salt to balance it all out. And of course, you’ll need about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for rolling, plus some crushed candy canes if you’re feeling extra fancy!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Alright, let’s get baking! Making these Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies is actually pretty straightforward once you get going. Just follow these steps and you’ll have delicious little treats in no time. I always like to have everything prepped and ready before I even start mixing, it just makes everything so much smoother!
Preparing the Cookie Dough for Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
First things first, let’s get that dough ready! Grab a big bowl and cream together your softened butter and granulated sugar. You really want to beat them until they’re nice and light and fluffy – that’s where a lot of the magic happens for texture! Don’t rush this bit. Then, just beat in your vanilla and peppermint extracts. You’ll know it’s right when it smells amazing! Now, in a separate bowl, give your flour, cocoa powder, and salt a good whisk. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing just until everything comes together. It’s going to be a pretty stiff dough, and that’s exactly what you want!
Shaping and Baking Your Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Okay, now for the fun part – shaping! You’ll want to roll that stiff dough into little 1-inch balls. I like to use a small cookie scoop for this because it keeps them all perfectly uniform, but your hands work great too! Just pop them onto baking sheets that you’ve lined with parchment paper, giving them a little space (about 2 inches apart) so they don’t stick together while they bake. Pop these beauties into your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be set, but the centers should still feel just a tad soft. Don’t overbake them – that’s the secret to a tender cookie!
Finishing Touches: Powdered Sugar and Garnish
Once they come out of the oven, let those Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies hang out on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This lets them firm up just enough so they don’t fall apart. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool COMPLETELY. Seriously, this is important! If they’re warm, the powdered sugar will just melt into a mess. Once they’re totally cool, roll them all over in the powdered sugar until they’re beautifully coated, like little snowballs! If you’re using crushed candy canes, just sprinkle those on top while the powdered sugar coating is still a little sticky. It adds such a pretty sparkle and an extra pop of peppermint!
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Okay, let’s talk about making these Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies absolutely perfect every single time. It’s not too tricky, but a few little secrets can make all the difference! First off, make sure you cream that butter and sugar really well. I mean, beat them until they’re super light and fluffy. That step is key for that lovely tender texture. Don’t even think about using cold butter; it just won’t work the same.
Another biggie is not overmixing the dough once you add the flour and cocoa. Once it’s just combined, stop! Overmixing means tough cookies, and nobody wants that. And remember to let them cool completely before rolling in the powdered sugar. Trust me on this one – it’s the difference between cute snowballs and a sticky chocolate mess. If your peppermint flavor isn’t quite hitting the spot, just add another tiny splash of extract when you add the vanilla. A little goes a long way!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When you’re making these cookies, there are a couple of things to keep in mind that can really make them shine. That cocoa powder? Use a good unsweetened one, the darker the better for that rich chocolate flavor. If you happen to not have unsalted butter, you can use salted, but just skip adding any extra salt later.
For the peppermint, a little goes a long way, but if you want a REALLY strong minty punch, don’t be afraid to add just a drop or two more to the dough. If you don’t have candy canes for garnish, totally fine – the powdered sugar alone makes them look like little snowballs! Check out more cookie tips if you’re curious.
Serving and Storage for Your Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
These Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies are just begging to be shared! They are absolutely delightful served with a warm mug of hot chocolate or a nice cup of coffee. They look so pretty on a festive platter, and honestly, everyone will be oohing and aahing over them. They’re perfect for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or just a little treat for yourself.
As for storing them, well, you’ll want to keep them fresh, right? Just pop any leftovers into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully tender and delicious at room temperature for about 3 days. If you can resist eating them all, that is! Some people even like to freeze the baked, un-powdered-sugar-coated cookies for later, then roll them in sugar when they’re ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Have some questions about these yummy little snowball cookies? I’ve got you covered! Here are some things people often ask.
Can I make these cookies without peppermint extract?
Oh, absolutely! If peppermint isn’t your jam, or you just don’t have it on hand, no problem at all. You can just skip the peppermint extract completely. The chocolate flavor is still amazing on its own, and you’ll have delicious chocolate snowball cookies! Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could add a little almond extract or even some orange zest for a different twist.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Hmm, if your cookies are spreading out too much, it’s usually because the butter was too soft when you creamed it. You want it soft enough to mash with a spoon, but not melty or greasy. Also, make sure you’re not overmixing the dough after adding the dry ingredients. Just mix until it *just* comes together. Chilling the dough for about 15-30 minutes before rolling can also help prevent them from spreading too much.
How do I get that perfect snowy coating?
The trick to that perfect snowy look is all about timing and temperature! First, you *must* let the cookies cool down completely. I can’t stress this enough! If they’re even a little bit warm, the powdered sugar will melt. Once they’re totally cooled, just roll them generously in the powdered sugar. If you want it to stick on really well, you can even do a double dip: roll them, let them sit for a few minutes, and then roll them again. Easy peasy!
Can I add chocolate chips to these cookies?
You know, chocolate chips would be a delicious addition! The recipe already has cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor, but adding some mini chocolate chips right into the dough would give you little pockets of melty chocolate goodness. Just be careful not to overmix when you fold them in!
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
These Christmas cookies stay delightfully fresh for about 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They tend to get even a little more tender as they sit. If you won’t eat them all in 3 days, you can also freeze them! What I like to do is freeze the baked cookies (before the powdered sugar) in a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. Then, when you’re ready to serve, let them thaw a bit and then roll them in powdered sugar.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can change a bit depending on exactly what you use and how you make them, but this gives you a good idea. For one of these yummy Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies, you’re looking at roughly 150 calories. You’ll also get about 9g of fat (that’s 5g saturated), and around 16g of carbohydrates, with about 12g of that being sugar. It’s a perfect little treat!
Looking for more sweet inspiration? You might love this Chocolate Delight Dessert!
Print
Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
- Total Time: 32 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These cookies are a festive and flavorful treat, combining rich chocolate with a refreshing hint of peppermint. They are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet indulgence any time of year.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be stiff.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- If desired, sprinkle with crushed candy canes before the powdered sugar sets.
Notes
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, you can add a few more drops of peppermint extract to the dough.
- Ensure the cookies are completely cool before rolling in powdered sugar to prevent them from breaking.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: chocolate cookies, peppermint cookies, snowball cookies, holiday cookies, festive dessert, cocoa cookies, easy cookies