Name: Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but makes the flavor outstanding); Royal Icing; Red gel food coloring; Black gel food coloring; Orange gel food coloring

There’s something truly magical about biting into a perfectly soft, buttery cookie decorated with a cheerful snowman face. This Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly that – festive, fun, and surprisingly easy, making it a joyful tradition in my kitchen that I think you'll really enjoy too.

The image shows seven snowman-shaped cookies stacked on a white plate with detailed lace-like edges, all placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three layers: a smooth white icing base covering the whole snowman shape, a black hat on top with a slightly raised texture, and a bright red scarf wrapped around the neck. The faces have small black dots for eyes and mouths and an orange carrot-shaped nose. Three small black dots in the middle resemble buttons. Around the plate, there are a few snowflake-shaped cookies with white icing and light blue sugar decorations and a round cookie with white icing. 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 Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these snowman sugar cookies; the way they brightened up the kitchen and delighted everyone around was unforgettable. This recipe isn’t just about cookies; it’s about creating sweet memories with every step from mixing dough to adding the final icing touch.

Joyful and Festive: These cookies aren’t just tasty; their iconic snowman shape and colorful icing bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Perfect Soft Texture: Soft in the center with lightly golden edges, they’re the ideal balance you want in a sugar cookie.
Customizable Decoration: The royal icing lets you get creative – from traditional hats and scarves to your own fun designs.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough or even the finished cookies ahead and have them ready when the festive spirit strikes.

The image shows decorated cookies on a white marbled surface. There are two types of cookies: snowmen and snowflakes. The snowman cookies have a light golden base with a smooth white icing covering their whole bodies, three black buttons down the middle, small black dots for eyes and mouth, an orange carrot-shaped nose, a bright red scarf, and a black hat on top. The snowflake cookies have a similarly light golden base decorated with intricate white icing patterns and some sparkling sugar crystals with a shiny blue bead in the center. The cookies are spread out randomly but some overlap slightly, showing detail and texture clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe boasts simple ingredients that all come together to create the best texture and flavor. The balance between butter, sugar, and flour ensures those tender, melt-in-your-mouth results every time.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder powder, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a softened whole stick of unsalted butter resting on the edge of a white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of clear almond extract, three small white ceramic bowls each filled with thick royal icing colored bright red, deep blackish gray, and vibrant orange, all placed neatly in perfect symmetry, fresh and natural ingredients, 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

All-purpose flour: Provides structure while being forgiving enough to keep cookies soft.
Baking powder: Gives a subtle lift for lightness without puffing them up too much.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter is essential here; it cremes with sugar for that tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a slight crispness on the edges.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor to deepen the taste.
Almond extract (optional): Just a hint adds a lovely nutty aroma that takes these cookies to the next level.
Royal icing & gel food coloring: For decorating – choosing gel colors gives you vibrant, true hues without messing up the icing consistency.

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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 playing around with this base recipe. Sometimes I swap almond extract for a splash of peppermint or lemon zest to suit the season or my mood. Don’t hesitate to personalize the colors and designs when decorating—let your creativity shine through.

Variation: When I made these last Thanksgiving, I added a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dough, which added a cozy autumn vibe that everyone adored.
Diet friendly: For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the butter with a vegan margarine that behaves similarly when creamed.
Decorating Difficulty: If you’re new to royal icing, try outlining your cookies first with white icing, then flood the center and add details once the base is dry. This helped me feel more in control and less messy!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisking and Creaming for the Perfect Base

Start by whisking your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—together. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until silky smooth and light, usually about 2 minutes on high with a mixer. This step is where you get that dreamy texture, so don’t rush it. Then, beat in the egg, vanilla, and (if you’re using) almond extract until just combined. Scrape your bowl well so every bit of butter and sugar gets mixed.

Step 2: Bringing it All Together into Dough

Slowly add your dry mix into the wet, mixing on low so you don’t toughen the dough. The dough will be soft, and if it feels too sticky, I usually sprinkle in an extra tablespoon of flour. Divide it in two and roll each out on lightly floured parchment or a silicone mat to about ¼ inch thick—consistency matters here for even baking.

Step 3: Chill Like a Pro

Stack one dough sheet over the other separated by parchment, then cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. This chilling step is key—it helps the dough firm up so your snowman shapes hold tight and don’t spread too much in the oven.

Step 4: Cut, Bake, and Cool

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Using your snowman cookie cutter, cut shapes from the chilled dough and arrange them spaced 3 inches apart on lined baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes until edges are just golden. Don’t skip cooling them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a rack—that prevents breakage and keeps them soft.

Step 5: Time to Decorate!

Mix your royal icing and divide it for coloring: red for scarves, black for hats and buttons, orange for noses, and leave some white for the snowman’s body. I pipe borders and flood the white first, chilling the cookies to set it faster. Then, I add scarf, hat, eyes, buttons, and the carrot nose with smaller piping tips. It’s surprisingly relaxing! Let the icing set completely—usually 2-3 hours at room temp.

Top Tip

Having made these snowman sugar cookies a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that save time and deliver the best results. Trust me, these tips will make your cookie baking smoother and more enjoyable.

Room Temperature Butter: Don’t rush this—if your butter is too soft or melting, your dough will be sticky and hard to roll. I like butter that's cool to the touch but soft enough to press a fingerprint into.
Dough Chilling: Chilling the dough stacked between parchment sheets prevents tearing and sticking when rolling and cutting shapes.
Food Coloring Caution: Use gel colors sparingly, especially black—it gets darker as it dries, so stop at a dark gray for best results.
Cookie Cooling: Letting cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack prevents breakage and helps them stay softer inside.

How to Serve Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe

snowman sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnish, I like adding tiny edible pearls as buttons or a sprinkle of fine sanding sugar over the white icing for a frosty sparkle. Sometimes I even dab on a little edible glitter for extra holiday magic—kids love it!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa, spiced tea, or even mulled wine for adults. A fresh fruit platter or simple peppermint bark on the side also complements the sweet, buttery notes nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

One year I arranged the decorated snowman cookies standing upright on a platter with a sprinkle of coconut “snow” underneath. Another fun idea is gifting them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon—always a crowd-pleaser and makes for a lovely homemade present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies stay soft and tasty for about 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I keep them layered between parchment paper to avoid sticking, which works really well for me.

Freezing

I often freeze both the dough and baked cookies. For dough, I shape it into disks and wrap well before freezing—then thaw in the fridge before rolling out. Decorated cookies freeze best once the icing is fully set; just layer them between parchment and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To refresh frozen cookies, I let them thaw at room temperature in their container to maintain moisture. If you want them warm, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave does the trick without making them hard.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe without royal icing?

Absolutely! You can decorate with store-bought frosting, colored sugar sprinkles, or even simple chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. However, royal icing dries hard and smooth, making it ideal for detailed designs and gifting.

Why is chilling the dough so important for this recipe?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which prevents spreading during baking. It also helps maintain the crisp shapes of your snowman cutters so your cookies come out neat and perfect. Trust me, skipping this step often leads to misshapen cookies.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead and freeze it?

Yes! You can prepare the dough, divide it into disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before rolling out as directed.

How long do decorated snowman sugar cookies last?

Decorated cookies keep well for about 5 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. Refrigerating them can extend the life to 10 days, although I find room temp storage keeps them softer.

Final Thoughts

Making this Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday rituals – a perfect blend of tasty, decorative, and heartwarming traditions. I hope you give these a try and find as much joy in creating and sharing them as I do. They’re more than just cookies—they're smiles you can bite into!