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A pile of four peppermint snowball cookies in a white bowl with candy canes.

Peppermint Snowball Cookies

These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are melt-in your mouth bites perfect for your holiday cookie platter. These classic snowy shortbread-style cookies get a festive twist made with cocoa powder and peppermint added to the batter and stuffed inside.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Holiday
Keyword christmas cookies for cookie swap, christmas cookies for party, christmas cookies peppermint
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 16 cookies
Calories 208 kcal
Author Kelly

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegan butter , softened. (You can also use ghee or unsalted butter if you're not dairy-free)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar or powdered sweetener of choice , such as Lakanto powdered monk fruit sweetener or powdered Swerve for a lower sugar option
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2 cups gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour , measured correctly - spoon & level method. You can also use all-purpose flour if you're not gluten-free,
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans , or nuts of your choice
  • 1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar , for rolling the cookies
  • 1/3 cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder , for rolling the cookies

Peppermint Filling:

  • 1/2 cup Lily's Sweets Peppermint Flavor Baking Chips , you can also use chopped Chocolate Andes Chocolate or Peppermint Bark / Peppermint Chocolate of your choice
  • 2 teaspoons powdered sugar or powdered sweetener of choice , such as Lakanto powdered monk fruit sweetener or powdered Swerve for a lower sugar option

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the peppermint crunch chips or peppermint bark in the microwave in 30-second increments in a small bowl until just melted. Whisk in 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar until the texture is thick, like peanut butter - add more as needed. Scoop out 1/2 teaspoon sized balls of melted peppermint onto the baking sheet and place the whole baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  2. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted or in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and icing sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract, then mix until combined.
  5. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans.
  6. Scoop out ONE tablespoon of dough and flatten in your palm. Place the frozen peppermint balls and place into the middle of each dough ball. (Work with one frozen peppermint ball at a time and keep the rest in the freezer so they stay frozen). Add another ONE tablespoon of cookie dough on top and press the sides together and wrap dough around and roll into balls.
  7. Place on prepared cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used up. Chill entire baking sheet in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  9. Bake cookies for 14-15 minutes until bottoms are just slightly brown - rotating pans halfway through. Be careful not to over-bake.
  10. Remove from oven and cool on baking pan for about 2 minutes until you can handle them comfortably with your hands.
  11. Meanwhile, sift 1/3 cup icing sugar into a medium bowl and another bowl with sifted cocoa powder. While cookies are still warm, roll them in icing sugar or cocoa powder. Place cookies on cooling rack, once they have cooled completely, roll them in icing sugar again.
  12. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.

Recipe Notes

The amount of cookies you end up with will depend on the size that you roll your Snowball Cookies.

How to store the cookies:

  • Airtight Container: Store these cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

  • Freezing Magic: 

Cookie base adapted from Land O Lakes

Nutrition Facts
Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 208 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 2g4%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.