Joyful Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe: A Holiday Treat

Sweet moments of holiday cheer sparkle with these delightful chocolate snowball cookies that melt in your mouth.

Winter celebrations come alive with these delectable treats bathed in powdered sugar.

Generations of bakers have cherished this simple yet elegant recipe passed down through kitchens.

Rich cocoa infuses each tender morsel with deep, luxurious flavor.

Small gatherings and cozy evenings become magical when these cookies appear on the table.

Dusted with a snowy white coating, these chocolate snowballs promise pure indulgence.

Roll up your sleeves and discover the joy of creating these irresistible holiday delights.

Sweet Ways to Present Snowball Cookies

• Chocolate Lovers' Dream Platter: Arrange the snowball cookies on a dark chocolate-drizzled wooden board for a stunning presentation.
• Winter Wonderland Dessert Display: Dust extra powdered sugar around the cookies to create a snowy scene, perfect for holiday gatherings.
• Coffee Companion Pairing: Serve these rich chocolate cookies alongside a steaming espresso or hot chocolate for a decadent flavor experience.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with silver or white ribbons for a charming homemade treat gift.

Storing Snowball Cookies the Smart Way

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep double chocolate snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and delightful texture.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or spontaneous dessert moments.
• Refrigeration Strategy: When storing cookies with powdered sugar coating, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful snowy appearance.
• Room Temperature Tip: Allow frozen cookies to thaw naturally at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, helping them regain their soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 166 kcal

Servings: 24

What Goes Into Snowball Cookies

• Softened Butter: Creamy foundation that creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich flavor depth.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides delicate sweetness and helps achieve smooth, light cookie consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall chocolate flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Structural backbone that binds ingredients and creates classic cookie crumb.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate essence and deep, dark color.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient flavors.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Introduces bursts of extra chocolate richness throughout cookie.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates signature snowball appearance and adds elegant, delicate sweet coating.
• Optional: Use high-quality cocoa powder for more complex chocolate notes.
• Tip: Sift powdered sugar for smoother, more even coating.
• Hint: Chill cookies before second sugar coating for better adherence.

Gear for Baking Snowball Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Separate mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients without lumps.
• Whisk: Helps blend cocoa powder and flour evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheet: Provides space for cookies during baking.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Great for creating light, fluffy butter mixture.
• Spatula: Helps fold chocolate chips and scrape bowl edges.
• Cookie scoop or spoon: Makes rolling consistent 1-inch cookie balls simple.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.

Time to Make Double Chocolate Snowballs

• Whip Up the Creamy Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend butter with powdered sugar until it becomes super fluffy and smooth. Splash in some vanilla for an extra burst of flavor.

• Create the Chocolatey Magic

In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, and a pinch of salt. Slowly fold this mixture into your buttery base. Sprinkle in chocolate chips for delightful little surprise bites.

• Chill and Relax

Pop the dough in the refrigerator for about half an hour. This helps your cookies stay perfectly shaped and gives the flavors time to mingle.

• Shape and Bake Your Treats

Heat the oven to a cozy 350F. Roll the dough into cute little balls and place them on a baking sheet. Slide them into the oven and bake until they look just set.

• Get Snowy with Powdered Sugar

Once the cookies cool down a bit, give them a luxurious roll in powdered sugar. For an extra winter wonderland look, do a second sugar coating that makes them look like they’ve been kissed by fresh snow.

Flavor Ideas for Snowball Cookies

• Perfect Powdery Texture: Sift powdered sugar before coating cookies to ensure a smooth, even layer without clumps, creating that gorgeous snow-like finish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator, wrapped tightly. This helps develop richer chocolate flavor and saves time during busy baking sessions.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cookie structure. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
• Flavor Boost Options: Experiment with different mix-ins like chopped nuts, peppermint chips, or orange zest to create unique chocolate variations. Dark chocolate chips can replace mini chips for intense chocolate lovers.
• Storage Secret: Store cookies between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Avoid storing in humid environments to prevent powdered sugar from dissolving.

Festive Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Sweet double chocolate snowball cookies blend rich cocoa with buttery dough, creating irresistible holiday treats. Powdered sugar coating adds delightful winter charm, making these cookies perfect for festive gatherings and cozy moments you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate
• 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar, for coating

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Whip softened butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy, blending in vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
2. Dry Integration: Combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then gently fold into the butter mixture to create a smooth, consistent chocolate dough. Incorporate mini chocolate chips, distributing evenly throughout.
3. Chilling Preparation: Encase dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to solidify and enhance manageability. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Shaping and Baking: Craft uniform 1-inch dough balls, positioning them carefully on the prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges firm up and set.
5. Sugaring Process: Allow cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheet. While still warm, generously roll each cookie in powdered sugar for initial coating. Once completely cooled, perform a second powdered sugar coating to create a thick, snow-like exterior that completely masks the chocolate base.

Notes

• Chill Dough Properly: Refrigerate the dough for exactly 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect cookie shape during baking.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix dry and wet ingredients delicately to avoid overworking the dough, which can result in tough, dense cookies.
• Even Sugar Coating: Apply powdered sugar while cookies are still slightly warm for better adherence and a more even, snow-like finish.
• Chocolate Chip Distribution: Fold mini chocolate chips gently to ensure they’re evenly spread throughout the dough for consistent chocolate flavor in every bite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 172
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 47 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg