Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

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Soft, buttery, and irresistibly minty—these Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a festive twist on the classic snowball cookie. Each bite melts in your mouth with a burst of cool mint flavor and delightful crunch from mini chocolate chips. Their light green color and snowy powdered sugar coating make them perfect for winter celebrations, holiday cookie trays, or anytime you want a unique and delicious treat.

These cookies combine nostalgic charm with a playful mint chocolate chip flavor, making them stand out in both taste and appearance. They’re not overly sweet, and the balance between the buttery base and refreshing mint makes them ideal with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or as a quick pick-me-up snack. Whether you’re baking for a party or just indulging in your favorite flavors, this cookie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe

• Perfect holiday cookie with a frosted, wintery look
• No eggs required and simple pantry ingredients
• Buttery, tender texture with refreshing mint and rich chocolate chips
• Make-ahead and freezer friendly
• Fun for both kids and adults

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To make these cookies seamlessly, you’ll need a few essential tools:

• Mixing Bowls: At least two, one for dry ingredients and one for creaming the butter and sugar. Glass or stainless steel preferred for easier cleanup.
• Hand or Stand Mixer: Helps cream the butter to the perfect fluffy texture, ensuring tender cookies.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: Accurate measurements are key for balanced flavor and consistency.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Ensures evenly sized cookies so they bake uniformly.
• Baking Sheet & Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and promotes even baking.
• Wire Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy bottoms.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Helps coat the cookies evenly with powdered sugar for that iconic snowball look.

Each tool plays a crucial role in ensuring the cookies turn out tender, round, and beautifully coated.

Preparation Tips

Make sure the butter is softened but not melted—this helps the dough come together smoothly without spreading. When adding the peppermint extract, go light initially; a little goes a long way, and you can adjust to taste. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes if it feels too soft to handle. This prevents the cookies from flattening during baking. Finally, be generous but gentle when rolling them in powdered sugar—do this twice for a snowy finish: once while warm, and again once completely cooled for a perfect coating.

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Ingredients for Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
• A few drops of green food coloring (optional, for minty hue)

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Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Mix until the texture is light and fluffy—this creates the tender base for the cookies.

Step 2: Add the Extracts and Food Coloring

Add vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and green food coloring (if using). Blend well until the mixture is uniformly green and the extracts are fully incorporated.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed. The dough will be soft but should hold together when pressed.

Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon. Ensure even distribution throughout the dough.

Step 5: Chill the Dough (If Needed)

If your dough feels too soft to roll into balls, place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up. Chilling also helps the cookies maintain their round shape while baking.

Step 6: Preheat Oven and Shape the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale. Do not overbake; these cookies should remain soft and tender.

Step 8: First Powdered Sugar Coating

Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. While still warm, roll them gently in powdered sugar. This first coating will melt slightly, forming a sticky base for the second coating.

Step 9: Cool and Re-Coat

Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for a perfectly snowy, festive finish.

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Notes

These cookies have a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to the absence of eggs and the use of powdered sugar instead of granulated. The green coloring is optional but adds a fun, minty visual cue that’s perfect for festive occasions. If you’re making them ahead of time, they freeze beautifully either as dough balls or fully baked cookies.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overmixing the dough: This can make the cookies tough instead of tender. Mix just until combined.
• Skipping the chilling step: If the dough is too soft, the cookies may spread and lose their round shape.
• Using too much peppermint extract: It’s potent—more than 1/2 teaspoon can overpower the flavor.
• Overbaking: These cookies should not brown on top; check bottoms for light golden edges.
• Undercoating with sugar: The double powdered sugar coating is key for that iconic snowball look.

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Storage Instructions

Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To serve, allow to thaw at room temperature and optionally re-roll in powdered sugar for a fresh look.

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Estimated Nutrition

Per cookie (based on 24 cookies)

• Calories: 130
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 45mg
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 6g
• Protein: 1g

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of chocolate chips work best?

Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips work best because they distribute evenly, but you can use dark or milk chocolate if preferred.

Can I use peppermint oil instead of extract?

Yes, but use with caution. Peppermint oil is much stronger—use just a drop or two.

Can I freeze the dough?

Absolutely. Freeze dough balls on a tray, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen by adding an extra minute or two.

Can I make these without food coloring?

Yes! The color is purely for appearance. The flavor will be just as delicious without it.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

They’re ready when the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale and soft.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be tasty.

Should I use salted or unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter is recommended for better control of the salt level.

What if I don’t have a mixer?

You can cream the butter and sugar with a wooden spoon, but it may take more effort to get the fluffy texture.

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Conclusion

Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies bring together classic buttery texture with a refreshing twist. They’re eye-catching, delicious, and versatile enough for holidays or everyday snacking. With their soft interior, minty notes, and bursts of chocolate, these cookies will disappear quickly from any dessert table. Keep them in your recipe rotation for a unique crowd-pleaser that’s simple to whip up and fun to share.

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