These Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, combining the classic buttery shortbread texture with a festive burst of mint and chocolate. As a professional recipe blogger and SEO specialist, I can tell you that this recipe is a highly searchable and beloved holiday staple, perfect for amateur bakers and seasoned pros alike.
These delightful “Holiday Butter Cookies” offer a melt-in-your-mouth experience, a vibrant flavor profile, and a beautiful snow-dusted finish, making them a must-have for your festive baking repertoire. Get ready to impress!
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Key Ingredients for Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
To whip up a batch of these enchanting Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies, gather the following high-quality ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Crucial for that rich, tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Ensure it’s truly softened, not melted, for proper creaming.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dough): Sweetens the dough without adding granular texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A foundational flavor enhancer that complements both mint and chocolate.
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract: The star of the show, providing that wonderfully refreshing minty kick. For a stronger mint flavor, you can add an extra 1/4 teaspoon.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The structure of our cookie, providing the classic shortbread crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- 1 cup finely chopped mint chocolate chips: These add delightful pockets of minty chocolate. Ensure they are finely chopped for even distribution and easier rolling.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating): This creates the signature “snowball” look and adds a final touch of sweetness.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Get ready to create some holiday magic just in time for your next gathering! This recipe for Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies is incredibly straightforward, promising a delicious and satisfying result with minimal fuss.
Featuring a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture, infused with refreshing peppermint and decadent mint chocolate chips, these cookies are a true crowd-pleaser. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and a quick 10-minute bake time, you’ll have a batch of these delightful treats ready in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare for Baking: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, usually 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air, making the cookies tender.
- Add Extracts: Beat in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Continue mixing until both extracts are thoroughly combined with the butter mixture, ensuring an even flavor throughout.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Whisking ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the finely chopped mint chocolate chips using a spatula. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place these balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheets. This spacing allows for proper air circulation and even baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. The centers might still look a little soft, but they will firm up as they cool. Avoid over-baking to maintain their tender texture.
- First Powdered Sugar Coating: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly on the sheets for about 5 minutes. While they are still warm (but not hot enough to melt all the sugar immediately), gently roll the cookies in the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until they are fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar adhere.
- Cool and Second Coating: Transfer the sugar-coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once completely cool, roll them in the powdered sugar a second time. This second coating provides that extra “snowy” effect and a more robust dusting of sweetness, perfecting their classic snowball appearance.
Why You’ll Love These Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
You are absolutely going to adore these Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies! The main highlight is their incredible melt-in-your-mouth texture, a hallmark of classic butter cookies, elevated by the refreshing zing of peppermint and delightful pockets of mint chocolate chips. Making these at home also offers fantastic cost-saving benefits; you get a generous batch of gourmet-quality cookies for a fraction of the price of store-bought alternatives.
The combination of creamy butter, vibrant peppermint extract, and rich mint chocolate is simply irresistible, creating a flavor explosion with every bite. If you enjoyed our Classic Holiday Shortbread, you’ll find these cookies offer a thrilling minty twist. Don’t wait – dive into the festive spirit and bake a batch today!
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Final Thoughts
These Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies truly embody the spirit of holiday baking – simple to make, delightful to eat, and beautiful to behold. Their tender, buttery crumb, combined with the invigorating burst of peppermint and the sweet joy of chocolate, makes them an instant classic.
Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, gifting to friends, or simply treating yourself to a moment of festive bliss, these “Holiday Butter Cookies” are sure to bring smiles. We encourage you to embrace the joy of baking and add this recipe to your annual traditions. Happy baking!
Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies FAQs
Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 2-3 days in advance. Store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before rolling and baking.
Q2: My cookies are spreading too much. What went wrong?
A2: This usually happens if your butter was too soft or melted, or if you didn’t chill the dough. Ensure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch. If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling can also help prevent spreading.
Q3: Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
A3: Absolutely! While mint chocolate chips enhance the flavor profile, you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips for a different twist. Just remember the emphasis is on the mint, so ensure there’s enough peppermint extract.
Q4: How do I get an extra strong mint flavor?
A4: You can increase the peppermint extract to 3/4 teaspoon or even a full 1 teaspoon. Always add it gradually and taste a tiny bit of the raw dough (before adding eggs if your recipe includes them, though this one doesn’t) to ensure it’s to your liking.
Q5: Why do I roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?
A5: The first roll, while the cookies are still warm, allows the powdered sugar to adhere and slightly melt into the cookie, creating a base layer. The second roll, after the cookies have cooled completely, gives them that beautiful, pristine “snowball” appearance and a more substantial coating of powdered sweetness.