Buttery peppermint snowballs cookies are the perfect accompaniment to tree–trimming, carol-singing, or just relaxing with a cup of tea!
It’s Christmas cookie time…the most wonderful time of the year! I do love making cookies at this time of year, not only because, well, COOKIES, but also because it is a traditional part of how we ring in the the holidays at our house.
From the chocolate chip cookies that I’ve been making for my brothers and sister since we were all kids, to the peanut butter cookies that Grandma makes for the Santa cookie jar, cookies are an essential part of Christmas around these parts.
And we always love to add new ones to the list. I’m particularly happy about these buttery, sugary, easy, peppermint snowballs!
And speaking of traditions, here’s a quick one of a beloved one of ours that takes place at Grandma and Grandpa’s house every year. My dad has collected over 40 nutcrackers over the years.
Not only does he have a handsome number of the traditional kind, but he also has special ones, from one that looks like Abraham Lincoln to one that looks like a Clemson Tiger. They spend 11 months of the year sleeping in the attic in their boxes, but at the beginning of the year we have the the traditional Putting Out Of The Nutcrackers.
It is important to make sure all nutcrackers are in good working order.
And are carried very carefully to their place.
During this process, it is also essential to stop for some tickling time with one of your favorite uncles.
And when you are done, to get your picture taken with one of your favorites.
After you are all finished, it’s time for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and maybe a cookie or two. Nutcracker placing can make a guy famished.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? If they also involve cookies, I’m extra-eager to hear about them.
And if they don’t, maybe you want to start a new tradition with some peppermint snowball cookies? Let the holiday baking begin!
PrintPeppermint Snowballs!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sifted confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 cups flour
- 20 hard peppermint candies, crushed into fine crumbs
- 1/2 cup sifted confectioner’s sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Beat butter with mixer until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar, followed by peppermint extract and then flour until everything is well-combined. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll chilled dough into approximately one inch balls and roll in peppermint candy, pressing slightly to get the candy to stick to the sides,
- Bake for 20 minutes. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, roll while still hot in powdered sugar, and sprinkle additional peppermint candy on top.
Notes
Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)! Thanks for using them to keep our kitchen cooking…xoxo!
Joanne says
I already consider snowballs to be some of the best ever of the Christmas cookie world, but you definitely made them better with peppermint!
Kate says
Peppermint makes everything into Christmas. :)
Blair says
These look like Christmas delicious!! I love peppermint this time of year because I really do think it tastes like Christmas. I always bake cookies around this time of year and I may need to try these :) Merry Christmas!!!!
Kate says
I feel exactly the same way about peppermint – I’m hoping that there is some peppermint bark under the tree for me this year. Merry Christmas to you too!
Jennifer Wolfe says
Ok-these sound way too delicious! When my daughter comes home from college this weekend, I’m putting them on her baking list! So glad to find you!
Kate says
My daughter is coming home from college next week too – how happy are WE? Happy baking to all of us. :)
Karen Nelson says
Happy December Kate!
I think you may recall the melting moments
That you save for February:-) also Honey Spice cookies that are laden with cinnamon
Buttery and honey goodness … Flat and crispy. Also a German lace oatmeal cookie that I remember baking and I thought the Lacey look had to be pure magic done by my mom!
The traditional cut-out sugar cookies that a dear friend now gives me every year in honor of my mom who got her angel wings 9 years ago. These are some of the special cookies that have to be prepared each year. I grew up making them with mom and each bite now comes with conversation and memory sharing from her granddaughter (my daughter) and myself.
I love your Dad’s nutcrackers and the memory making for your family and nephew.. Which btw.. Has sure grown!
Might have to try the peppermint cookies .. They would fit nicely into our mix!
Merry Christmas!
Kate says
I sure do remember those precious melting moments (and here’s the link for anyone who wants to know what we are talking about:https://www.framedcooks.com/2014/02/melting-moments.html). Those honey spice cookies sound Christmas-perfect! Happy, happy holidays to you and yours – I am always so happy to see a comment from you, it makes my day that much cheerier! :)