Name: Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup (40g) crushed candy canes (about 3–4 regular-size candy canes); 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners’ sugar

There’s something utterly magical about the crisp, refreshing bite of winter wrapped up in a cookie. The Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe is my go-to when I want that perfect combo of buttery softness, crisp edges, and that cool peppermint burst — all dusted with a snowy blanket of sugar. These cookies are seriously a festive delight you’ll want to bake over and over.

A close-up view of many small round cookies covered thickly in white powdered sugar. The cookies are light beige inside with small red bits scattered throughout the dough. Two cookies are broken to show their soft, crumbly texture and the red specks inside. The cookies sit piled up closely together. The scene is set against a white marbled texture, with soft natural light highlighting the powdery surface. 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 Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From my kitchen to yours, I can’t recommend this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe enough. It brings together the best textures and flavors that take you straight into holiday cheer, even if it’s just an ordinary Tuesday. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, giving you that cookie glow-up without the fuss.

Perfectly Tender Texture: These cookies melt softly in your mouth, thanks to the rich butter and gentle mixing.
Bright Peppermint Flavor: Real peppermint extract and crushed candy canes give a refreshing zing you’ll notice in every bite.
Beautiful Snowball Coating: The double dusting of confectioners’ sugar creates that dreamy, snowy look and adds a sweet finishing touch.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can chill the dough or freeze baked cookies, making it perfect for holiday prepping or last-minute treats.

A close-up of a pile of round cookies covered fully in a thick layer of white powdered sugar with small red specks scattered on them. The cookies are stacked closely together on a white plate, and the texture of the cookies looks soft and slightly crumbly under the powdered sugar. The background is a white marbled texture, adding a clean and simple look to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients in the Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe come together in harmony to create that classic holiday cookie experience — rich, buttery, sweet, and bursting with peppermint. Plus, many are pantry staples you likely have on hand, and few little touches make a big difference.

Flat lay of a few large chunks of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine confectioners’ sugar, a couple of whole uncracked brown vanilla beans beside a small white bowl holding clear peppermint extract, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a pinch of coarse salt scattered beside it, crushed bright red and white candy cane fragments arranged in a small white bowl, and an additional shallow white bowl containing more confectioners’ sugar for coating, all perfectly spaced and symmetrically arranged, placed 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

Unsalted Butter: I always use room temperature butter so it creams smoothly with the sugar, giving that tender crumb and rich flavor.
Confectioners’ Sugar: Perfect for sweetness without graininess — it also creates the perfect coating that mimics fresh snow.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and balance to the strong peppermint flavor.
Peppermint Extract: The star of the show! I recommend pure peppermint extract for that crisp, natural taste.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough, ensuring structure without heaviness.
Salt: Just a pinch to highlight sweetness and cut through richness.
Crushed Candy Canes: This not only amps up the peppermint flavor but also adds a delightful textural crunch that surprises you when you least expect it.

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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

I love encouraging folks to personalize their Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe! While I stick close to the classic because that peppermint crunch and buttery base are perfection, you can absolutely play with it — whether it’s swapping extracts or adding mix-ins.

Variation: One time, I swapped half the peppermint extract for a tiny bit of almond extract — it added a subtle nuttiness that was surprisingly delicious and unexpected!
Dietary tweaks: If you want to make these gluten-free, try using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and see how you go; the flavor still shines through beautifully.
Colorful touch: When I want an extra festive look, I fold in crushed red and green peppermint candies or sprinkle a little edible glitter before baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating your softened butter on medium speed for about a minute until smooth and creamy. This step is key because properly creamed butter traps air, making cookies lighter. Then gradually add the confectioners’ sugar on low speed so it fully blends without making a mess. Once combined, crank it up a notch and beat until that mixture looks silky and lush. Scrape the sides as you go to make sure everything gets incorporated evenly.

Step 2: Mix in the Extracts

Beat in the vanilla and peppermint extracts at medium-high speed. This adds layers of aromatic flavor that will shine through once baked. Peppermint is powerful, so don’t skip measuring — you want a nice balance, not a candy-cane explosion.

Step 3: Add Flour, Salt, and Candy Canes

On low speed, add your flour and salt. The dough will seem dry at first — that’s normal. Don’t worry; once you increase the speed, the dough genuinely comes together, forming that cohesive ball you want. Finally, gently fold in the crushed candy canes. They add not only peppermint flavor but also that lovely little crunch and festive flair.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough tightly and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is essential because it firms up the dough, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much as they bake. If you chill it for longer — like up to three days — just remember to let the dough come to room temperature for about half an hour before rolling so it’s easier to handle.

Step 5: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll them into smooth balls — I find a cookie scoop handy here for even sizes—and space them at least 2 inches apart on parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheets. Bake for about 15 minutes until you see golden edges and the tops are just starting to brown. They’ll still be a little tender but beautifully set.

Step 6: Sugar Coating (The Best Part!)

Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes right on the baking sheet — this helps them firm up slightly without cooling completely. Then gently roll each warm cookie in confectioners’ sugar to coat. Place them on wire racks to cool fully; as the sugar melts and gets a little sticky, letting them cool completely ensures the sugary coating sticks. Once fully cooled, roll them in sugar again for that iconic snowball effect. It’s like a cozy sugar hug.

Top Tip

I’ve baked this Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe a dozen times to get just the right texture balance. Here are my go-to tips that make all the difference between good cookies and unforgettable ones:

Softened Butter Makes a Difference: Don’t rush this — properly softened butter creams easier and makes your dough silky.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough is essential for shaping and helps control the spreading so you end up with nice round cookies instead of flattened ones.
Crushed Candy Canes: Use fresh candy canes crushed finely but not into dust; you want that sweet crunch and sparkle.
Double Dusting When Cool: The second sugar rolling after cooling really seals in that snowy effect and moistens the outer layer perfectly.

How to Serve Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe

peppermint snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple by dusting a tiny extra sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving, which gives them a fresh, snowy sparkle. Around the holidays, I sometimes garnish the plate with extra whole candy canes or sprigs of fresh rosemary for aroma and festive color. It’s such an easy trick that impresses guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of cocoa or peppermint tea — I love that warm-cold contrast. For holiday parties, I serve alongside spiced nuts and a nice assortment of chewy dried fruits to balance textures and flavors on the dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or parties, arrange these peppermint snowballs in little clear cellophane bags tied with red and white twine. Another fun idea is stacking them in a mason jar layered with extra crushed candy canes. It’s a charming gift or centerpiece that also tastes amazing!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your baked Peppermint Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. I've found they stay fresh and tender for up to a week, perfect for enjoying over several cozy afternoons.

Freezing

These cookies freeze like a dream. I like to freeze them fully baked in a sealed container, then thaw at room temperature when I want a treat. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls wrapped tightly — just bake from frozen, adding about an extra minute to the baking time. This comes in handy for holiday prep or surprise guests!

Reheating

If you want to freshen up thawed cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for 3–5 minutes. It revives the texture without drying them out. Just keep an eye—they're delicate, so short and gentle reheating is key.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute peppermint extract with something else?

While peppermint extract is key to the signature flavor of the Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe, you can replace it with vanilla extract for a more classic snowball cookie or a drop of almond extract for a nutty twist. Just keep in mind the taste will shift away from the cool peppermint notes.

How do I crush candy canes for the cookies?

I usually place candy canes inside a sturdy zip-top bag and crush them gently with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. You want pieces that are fine enough to mix evenly but still have little crunchy bits for texture. Avoid powdering them completely to retain that satisfying crunch and peppermint bursts.

What if my dough is too stiff to roll?

If your dough has been refrigerated for a few days and feels too hard to work with, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping. This softens it just enough to roll into balls without warming too much and making the cookies spread too thin while baking.

Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of confectioners’ sugar?

Confectioners’ sugar is essential in this recipe because of its fine texture—it dissolves seamlessly into the dough and creates the delicate snowball coating. Granulated sugar wouldn’t give the same melt-in-your-mouth texture or visual effect, so it’s best to stick with confectioners’.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe isn’t just a cookie — it’s a little gift from your oven that fills the room with warm holiday vibes and bright peppermint cheer. I make these every year because they never fail to deliver that perfect, cozy sweetness with a wintry twist. Give it a try and see how quickly they become your own kitchen tradition. Trust me, once you bite into that soft, peppermint-studded snowball, you’ll be hooked for life!