Description
These Festive Minty Snowball Cookies are delightful bite-sized treats perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft and buttery with a refreshing peppermint twist and studded with mini chocolate chips, these cookies are coated in powdered sugar for a snowy, festive appearance. Easy to make and sure to impress, they are a wonderful addition to any cookie platter.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g/8.5 oz) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (128 g/4.5 oz) mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate
- ½ cup (60 g/2 oz) powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional Decoration
- Green or red sanding sugar (optional, for a festive touch)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to create an ideal non-stick surface for baking the cookies.
- Base Mixture: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts to infuse aromatic undertones and mix until well combined.
- Dough Assembly: Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture, stirring gently to combine without overworking the dough. Then, fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout.
- Cookie Formation: Shape the dough into uniform 1-inch spheres by rolling between your palms. Arrange them methodically on the prepared baking sheet, leaving modest spacing between each cookie to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Baking Process: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set but not browned. Monitor carefully to avoid overbaking.
- Initial Sugar Coating: While the cookies are still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar. For a festive touch, you can mix green or red sanding sugar with the powdered sugar before coating.
- Cooling and Final Presentation: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, apply a second generous dusting of powdered sugar to create a pristine and elegant snowball effect.
- Storage: Store these delicate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to one week.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect cookie texture.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep the cookies tender and crumbly.
- Use high-quality peppermint extract for the best flavor.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies in an airtight container and dust with powdered sugar after thawing.
- For vegan or dairy-free options, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
