Description
Minty Snowball Cookies are delightful, buttery cookies infused with refreshing peppermint extract and studded with finely chopped mint chocolate. These cookies are rolled in powdered sugar twice, creating a beautiful snowy coating that melts in your mouth, perfect for festive occasions or a cozy treat.
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 your 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 1/2 cup powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts until evenly combined.
- Make Dough: Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms. Carefully fold in the finely chopped mint chocolate or chips to distribute them throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for gentle spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the cookies remain pale in color to keep them tender.
- First Coating: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to begin their snowy coating.
- Final Coating: Once the cookies have completely cooled, roll them in powdered sugar a second time to achieve an extra snowy, festive look and enhance the sweet minty flavor.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice gives them a classic snowball appearance and extra sweetness.
- The peppermint extract can be adjusted to taste; start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more if a stronger mint flavor is desired.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming and cookie texture.
- Using finely chopped mint chocolate or chips enhances the mint flavor and adds texture.
- Cookies should be pale after baking to ensure a tender, melt-in-the-mouth bite rather than a crisp one.
