If you’re looking for a delightful twist on a classic treat, the Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These little bites of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness come dusted with powdered sugar and bursting with mini chocolate chips, creating a perfect balance of sweet, soft, and chocolatey with every bite. Whether it’s for a holiday gathering, a cozy night in, or just because, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for an irresistibly charming cookie that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each component adds the perfect touch to the texture and flavor, ensuring your cookies come out soft, tender, and delightfully chocolate-studded.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This creates a rich, creamy base that keeps the cookies tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and a fine texture that blends seamlessly with the butter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor, giving the cookies a comforting aroma.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The structure of the cookie, creating that classic soft yet crumbly bite.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the overall taste.
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips: Mini morsels that disperse evenly for bursts of chocolate without overwhelming the cookie.
- Additional powdered sugar, for rolling: For coating the cookies in that iconic snowball-like appearance and extra sweetness.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Begin by creaming together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This process is key because it incorporates air, giving your cookies a wonderfully light texture. Then, add in the vanilla extract and mix everything until it’s combined and beautifully aromatic.
Step 2: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Next, slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture. Stir just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix here; you want the cookies tender, not tough. The flour and salt give your dough the perfect structure and subtle flavor lift.
Step 3: Stir in Mini Chocolate Chips
Fold in those mini chocolate chips gently but thoroughly so every cookie will have a lovely, even distribution of chocolate. These little pockets of chocolate melt slightly with baking, offering a sweet surprise in every bite.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each one into neat 1-inch balls. Placing them about an inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet allows them to bake evenly without sticking together, ensuring each cookie keeps its perfect round shape.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies at 375°F (190°C) for about 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll want to watch for lightly golden bottoms, while the tops remain pale. This subtle change means they’re perfectly baked—soft inside with just a hint of crispness underneath.
Step 6: The Snowball Finish
Once out of the oven, let your cookies cool for about 5 minutes – not completely, but just enough so they’re warm. Now comes the fun part: roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create that iconic snowball look. After they’re fully cooled, roll them again for a second coat of sweetness and snowy charm that makes this recipe so memorable.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you’re serving these cookies at a festive occasion, consider dusting a little extra powdered sugar just before presenting them for that fresh snowfall effect. You might also add a few mini chocolate chips on top for extra chocolate appeal, or even a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts for an added crunch.
Side Dishes
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies go perfectly with a frothy cup of hot cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or a warm cup of coffee or tea. Their buttery sweetness balances beautifully with almost any warm beverage, making your snack or dessert time truly cozy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve these cookies in a festive tin lined with parchment paper, tied up with a ribbon as a thoughtful gift. You can also arrange them on a holiday cookie platter alongside other treats, or stack them with small paper inserts for a charming dessert tower. Their pretty snowy appearance makes them an instant table centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh and soft for up to a week. If you want to preserve their powdery coating, place sheets of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply flash freeze the balls of dough before baking, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, add a minute or two to the baking time. You can also freeze fully baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To revive the fresh-baked softness, warm your cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave can soften them up for instant eating pleasure. Add a little extra powdered sugar after reheating to refresh that snowy coating!
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but I recommend reducing or skipping additional salt to keep the perfect balance. Unsalted butter is preferred because it lets you control the salt content more precisely.
Why do the tops not brown like other cookies?
The dough for Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is very buttery and contains a lot of powdered sugar, which keeps the tops pale while the bottoms get just lightly golden. This is normal and means your cookies are perfectly baked.
Can I substitute mini chocolate chips with regular-sized ones?
You can, but mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly throughout the dough, giving you little pockets of chocolate in every bite. Larger chips might create more chocolate per bite but fewer pockets overall.
What if my dough is too crumbly to roll?
If your dough feels dry or crumbly, try gently warming it for a few seconds in the microwave or kneading it briefly to bring it together. It should be soft but not sticky enough to roll smoothly into balls.
Is it okay to skip the second coating of powdered sugar?
While the first coating gives the cookie its initial snowy look, the second coating adds that extra sweet finish and beautiful presentation. Skipping it is fine, but the double coating is part of what makes this recipe so special!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving this Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe a try. Its tender texture, lovely vanilla flavor, and pockets of chocolate make every bite feel like a warm, snowy hug. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just treating yourself, these cookies are sure to brighten your day and become a cherished favorite. Happy baking and enjoy every delicious moment!
Print
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies, a perfect blend of buttery, tender dough studded with mini chocolate chips and dusted generously with powdered sugar for a festive, snowy finish. These bite-sized treats are easy to make and ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- Additional powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth and airy base for the dough. Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated for flavor enhancement.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt into the creamed mixture, stirring gently until the dough just comes together to avoid overmixing which can lead to tough cookies.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Stir in the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough to ensure delicious chocolate in every bite.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for even spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes until the bottoms turn a light golden color, indicating they are cooked through while the tops remain pale and soft.
- Cool and Roll in Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar for the first coating. After they are completely cooled, roll them once more in powdered sugar for a beautiful snowy effect and extra sweetness.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and smoother dough.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should remain soft with lightly golden bottoms.
- Rolling cookies while warm helps the powdered sugar adhere better for a more pronounced snowball look.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to a week.
- Mini chocolate chips distribute better in the dough than regular-sized chips for consistent chocolate bursts.
