If you’re looking for a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat, these Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are exactly what you need. Soft, buttery, and lightly infused with refreshing mint flavor, these snowy little cookies are packed with mini chocolate chips and finished with a generous coating of powdered sugar. They’re simple to make, beautiful to serve, and always a hit during the holidays or winter baking season.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
These cookies are a delightful twist on classic snowball cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes. The addition of mint gives them a cool, refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with rich chocolate chips. They’re bite-sized, tender, and not overly sweet — making them ideal for cookie exchanges, dessert trays, or cozy evenings with hot cocoa.
Even better, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together with minimal effort. No rolling pins, no complicated steps, and no fancy equipment required. Just mix, roll, bake, and dust with powdered sugar for a magical, snow-covered finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these minty snowball cookies, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½–1 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
These ingredients work together to create a soft, delicate cookie that practically melts in your mouth.
How to Make Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with ¾ cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create the tender texture that snowball cookies are known for.
Step 2: Add Mint Flavor
Mix in the mint or peppermint extract. Start with ½ teaspoon and add more if you prefer a stronger mint flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 20–30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to roll.
Step 6: Roll and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned.
Step 7: Powdered Sugar Finish
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in the remaining powdered sugar while still warm. Once completely cooled, roll them again for a thick, snowy coating.
Tips & Variations
- Extra minty: Add mint chocolate chips instead of regular mini chips
- Classic version: Swap mint extract for vanilla extract
- Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter sticks
- Holiday flair: Add green sprinkles after the second sugar coating
- Storage tip: Store in an airtight container to keep them soft
Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 28 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery, minty snowball cookies packed with mini chocolate chips and rolled in powdered sugar for a festive “snowy” finish. Perfect for holiday trays, gifting, and cozy cocoa nights.
Ingredients
1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (90 g) powdered sugar (for dough)
1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (64 g) cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp peppermint or mint extract (to taste)
3/4 cup (130 g) mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar (for rolling, plus more as needed)
Instructions
1. Cream butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in mint/peppermint extract.
3. Whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually mix into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
4. Fold in mini chocolate chips.
5. Cover and chill dough 20–30 minutes for easier rolling.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
7. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 1–2 inches apart on the sheet.
8. Bake 10–12 minutes, until cookies are set but not browned.
9. Cool 5 minutes, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
10. Cool completely, then roll again in powdered sugar for a snowy coating.
Notes
Mint strength: Start with 1/2 tsp extract and increase to 1 tsp if you want a stronger mint flavor.
Don’t overbake: These should stay pale—bake just until set.
Double-dip sugar: Rolling once warm and again cooled gives the best “snowball” look.
Storage: Airtight at room temp up to 5 days. Freeze up to 2 months; thaw and re-roll in sugar if needed.
Substitutions: Use dairy-free butter sticks for dairy-free. Swap mint extract for vanilla for classic snowballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve these cookies on a festive platter alongside sugar cookies or chocolate crinkle cookies. They’re perfect with hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~130 |
| Protein | 1g |
| Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Fat | 7g |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sodium | 55mg |
Final Thoughts
These Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are everything a winter dessert should be — simple, cozy, and irresistibly delicious. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving a minty-sweet treat, this recipe is one you’ll come back to year after year.