The first time I made these Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies, the smell of butter and mint filled the kitchen—it felt like winter in a bowl. Each cookie came out soft, coated in sugar, and melted the moment I took a bite.
I made them for a holiday party, and everyone kept reaching for “just one more.” The cool mint and tiny bits of chocolate made them so fresh and fun.
If you love simple treats that taste like Christmas magic, these mint chocolate chip snowballs are the sweetest way to bake it in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with basic pantry items you probably already have at home.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfect Texture: Tender and crumbly on the outside, soft on the inside.
- Great for Gifting: These pretty cookies look beautiful on holiday cookie platters.
- Kid-Friendly: Children love the sweet mint taste and fun green color.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Dough can be made in advance and stored in the fridge.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: This recipe makes about 24 cookies, enough for a family gathering or small party. Want more? Simply double the recipe.
Difficulty: Easy enough for beginners. Even kids can help roll the dough into balls.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls (1 large, 1 medium)
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Small bowl for powdered sugar
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients for Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
These cookies come together with simple ingredients that create amazing flavor. The butter makes them tender, the mint extract adds freshness, and the chocolate chips bring sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mint extract
- 3-5 drops green food coloring (optional, for color)
- 3/4 cup (130g) mini chocolate chips
For Rolling:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar for coating
Variations for Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Use Peppermint: Try peppermint extract instead of mint for a stronger flavor.
- Skip the Color: Leave out the green food coloring for classic white snowballs.
- Add Crushed Candy: Mix in crushed candy canes for extra crunch.
- Try Dark Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a richer taste.
- Make Them Nutty: Add 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough.
- Double Mint: Add a few drops of mint extract to the powdered sugar coating.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Workspace
Set out all your ingredients. Let the butter sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes until it’s soft. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar together using an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy.
3. Add Mint and Color
Add the mint extract to the butter mixture. If you want green cookies, add 3-5 drops of green food coloring. Mix well until the color spreads evenly through the dough.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. This helps spread the salt evenly through the cookies.
5. Form the Dough
Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will look crumbly at first but will come together. Fold in the mini chocolate chips using a spoon or spatula.
6. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step is important because it makes the dough easier to shape and helps the cookies keep their round shape while baking.
7. Shape the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the dough from the fridge. Use your hands to roll pieces of dough into balls about 1 inch wide. Place them on the prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake
Put the cookie sheets in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are done when the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops still look pale. They will feel soft but will firm up as they cool.
9. Roll in Sugar
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes. While they’re still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar. The sugar will stick better when the cookies are warm. Let them cool completely, then roll them in powdered sugar one more time for a thick, snowy coating.
Serving and Decoration
These cookies look beautiful on their own with their snowy white coating, but here are some fun serving ideas:
- Holiday Platters: Arrange them on a red or green plate for festive color contrast.
- Gift Boxes: Pack them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for homemade gifts.
- Cookie Trays: Mix them with other cookies like chocolate chip and sugar cookies for variety.
- With Hot Cocoa: Serve alongside hot chocolate or peppermint cocoa for a cozy treat.
- Sprinkle Extra Chips: Press a few extra mini chocolate chips on top before the final sugar coating for decoration.
How to Serve Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
These versatile cookies work for many occasions:
- Holiday Parties: Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges or New Year gatherings.
- Afternoon Tea: Pair with hot tea or coffee for a sweet afternoon break.
- Lunch Box Treats: Pack 2-3 cookies in lunch boxes for a special surprise.
- Dessert Platters: Serve after dinner with vanilla ice cream.
- Bake Sales: These pretty cookies sell quickly at school fundraisers.
Storing Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
At Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
In the Refrigerator: These cookies can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing Cookies: Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Freezing Dough: You can freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.
Tips and Tricks for Success
Use Room Temperature Butter: Soft butter mixes better and creates a smoother dough. Hard butter will make lumpy cookies.
Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough just until the flour disappears. Overmixing makes tough cookies.
Chill is Important: Don’t skip the chilling step. Cold dough holds its shape better during baking.
Roll While Warm: The first coating of powdered sugar sticks best when cookies are still warm.
Watch the Oven: Every oven bakes differently. Check cookies at 10 minutes to prevent overbaking.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Packing flour makes dry cookies.
Use Quality Extract: Good mint extract makes a big difference in flavor. Cheap extract can taste artificial.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per Cookie (1 cookie) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 145 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 35mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugars | 9g |
| Protein | 1.5g |
Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
PrintMint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chill time)
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert / Cookies & Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, plus 1 cup (120g) for rolling
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mint extract
- 3–5 drops green food coloring (optional)
- 3/4 cup (130g) mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Flavoring: Mix in mint extract and green food coloring (if using) until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Form Dough: Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in mini chocolate chips with a spoon.
- Chill: Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat and Shape: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden. Centers may look slightly underdone but will set as they cool.
- Coat in Sugar: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 3-4 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Let cool completely, then roll in powdered sugar again for a thick coating.
Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies FAQs
Yes. The green color is only for looks. The cookies taste great without any color and will look like traditional white snowball cookies.
This usually happens when the dough is too warm. Make sure to chill the dough for the full 30 minutes. If your kitchen is very warm, chill for an extra 15 minutes.
You can, but reduce the added salt to just a pinch. Salted butter adds extra salt that might make the cookies taste too salty.
The bottoms should be light golden brown, but the tops will still look pale and soft. They firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake them.
Yes, but mini chips spread more evenly through the dough. If using regular chips, you might want to chop them a bit smaller.
Make sure to roll the cookies while they’re still warm for the first coating. The warmth helps the sugar stick. Then roll them again after they cool completely for a thicker coating.
Yes. Bake them up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container. Roll them in fresh powdered sugar on the day of your party for the prettiest look.
