There's something special about chocolate snowball cookies that makes even the grumpiest people smile - maybe it's how they look like little snowballs dusted with fresh powder, or how they practically melt in your mouth the second you bite them. After 17 years of holiday baking and countless cookie swaps where mine always disappeared first, I've finally figured out a recipe that's foolproof and tastes incredible. Through 41 test batches (Liam kept count because he got to eat the "mistakes") and feedback from cookie exchange veterans who don't mess around, I've made chocolate holiday cookies that are tender, rich, and covered in just the right amount of powdered sugar.
Why You'll Love This Chocolate Snowball Cookies
What makes this Chocolate Snowball Cookies different is how it balances everything just right. The chocolate flavor is deep and satisfying without being too much, the texture is soft and melty but still holds together, and they're sweet enough to feel like a treat without making your teeth hurt. Unlike some snowball cookies that are basically butter cookies with cocoa powder, these actually taste like chocolate through and through.
Liam's friends always ask if we have "those chocolate snow cookies," and honestly, adults get just as excited when they see them on a cookie tray. Plus, they freeze great and taste just as good after thawing, so you can make them ahead for parties or stash some away for when you need an emergency chocolate fix. They're perfect for when you want something that looks fancy but doesn't need any special skills or weird ingredients.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Chocolate Snowball Cookies Ingredients
- How To Make Chocolate Snowball Cookies Step By Step
- Storage Tips For Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Chocolate Snowball Cookies Variations
- Equipment For Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Smart Swaps for Every Need
- What to Serve With Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Top Tip
- Why This Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe Works
- FAQ
- Holiday Cookie Magic Made Simple!
- Related
- Pairing
- Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Chocolate Snowball Cookies Ingredients
Main Players:
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Fine salt
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
For the Snow Coating:
- Extra powdered sugar for rolling
- A little extra for touch-ups
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Chocolate Snowball Cookies Step By Step
Prep Work:
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Get all ingredients to room temperature
- Set up powdered sugar for rolling
Making the Dough:
- Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy
- Beat in vanilla extract
- Mix flour, cocoa powder, and salt separately
- Add dry ingredients to butter mixture slowly
- Fold in chopped nuts if using
Shaping and Baking:
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls
- Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart
- Bake for 12-15 minutes (don't overbake)
- Cool on pan for 5 minutes
The Snow Coating:
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar
- Let cool completely
- Roll in powdered sugar again for extra snow
- Store in airtight container
Storage Tips For Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Counter Storage (1 week):
- Store in airtight container
- Layer between parchment paper
- Keep at room temperature
- Don't refrigerate (makes them hard)
Freezer Storage (3 months):
- Freeze before rolling in powdered sugar
- Wrap tightly in freezer bags
- Thaw completely before final sugar coating
- Perfect for make-ahead baking
Cookie Exchange Tips:
- Make extra powdered sugar for touch-ups
- Pack carefully to prevent breaking
- Bring a small container of extra sugar
- These travel better than most cookies
Chocolate Snowball Cookies Variations
Double Chocolate:
- Add mini chocolate chips to dough
- Use extra cocoa powder
- Roll in cocoa-powdered sugar mix
- Chocolate lover's dream
Mint Chocolate:
- Add peppermint extract to dough
- Crush candy canes into powdered sugar
- Perfect for Christmas
- Refreshing twist
Orange Chocolate:
- Add orange zest to dough
- Orange extract instead of vanilla
- Great for winter holidays
- Citrus brightens the chocolate
Espresso Snowballs:
- Add instant coffee powder
- Extra rich chocolate flavor
- Adult-friendly version
- Perfect with coffee
Coconut Chocolate:
- Add shredded coconut to dough
- Roll in coconut-powdered sugar mix
- Tropical meets winter
- Kid-approved favorite
Equipment For Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Cookie scoop or small spoon
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling racks
Smart Swaps for Every Need
Flour Alternatives:
- All-purpose → Gluten-free flour blend (cup for cup)
- Regular → Almond flour (use ¾ the amount)
- Standard → Oat flour (grind oats yourself)
Dairy-Free Options:
- Butter → Vegan butter (same amount)
- Regular → Coconut oil (solid, not melted)
- Standard → Plant-based alternatives
Cocoa Substitutes:
- Unsweetened cocoa → Dark chocolate cocoa
- Regular → Sugar-free cocoa powder
- Standard → Mix of cocoa and melted chocolate
Nut Options:
- Pecans → Walnuts or almonds
- Regular nuts → Nut-free (just skip them)
- Chopped → Mini chocolate chips instead
Sugar Alternatives:
- Powdered sugar → Powdered erythritol
- Regular → Coconut sugar (powdered)
- Standard → Sugar-free powdered sweetener
What to Serve With Chocolate Snowball Cookies
From years of serving these at holiday parties and cookie exchanges, I've figured out the best ways to make these cookies even more special. These chocolate snowball cookies are perfect on their own, but they get even better when you pair them with the right stuff. Hot chocolate or coffee is the classic choice - the warm drinks help melt the cookies slightly in your mouth, making this incredible creamy chocolate experience. For fancier occasions, serve them with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for dipping. The cold, creamy texture goes perfectly with the tender, chocolatey cookies.
When I'm hosting holiday parties, I like to make a whole dessert spread around these cookies. They look beautiful on a platter next to other holiday treats like sugar cookies, gingerbread, or candy cane bark. For a fun twist, crumble them over vanilla pudding or yogurt for an easy trifle that looks good but takes no skill. You can also use them as the base for cookie milkshakes - just blend them with vanilla ice cream and milk for a treat that'll make everyone forget they're supposed to be adults. During the holidays, I sometimes serve them alongside mulled cider or eggnog, and the spiced drinks really bring out the chocolate flavor.
Top Tip
- For longer storage, these Chocolate Snowball Cookies freeze really well for up to three months, but there's a trick to it. Freeze them before you do the final powdered sugar coating, wrapped tight in freezer bags so they don't get freezer burn. When you're ready to serve them, let them thaw completely at room temperature, then roll them in fresh powdered sugar for that perfect snowy look.
- If you're making these for a Chocolate Snowball Cookies exchange or party, pack them carefully so they don't break since they're more delicate than some cookies. I always bring a small container of extra powdered sugar with me for touch-ups - trust me, it's worth it when your cookies look perfect on the platter. These actually travel better than most cookies once you figure out the packing.
- Here's something I found out by accident - these chocolate snowball cookies actually taste better after sitting overnight. All the flavors have time to mix together and the texture gets even more tender and melty. Now I always make mine a day ahead when I can, and the difference is incredible. Sometimes waiting really does pay off, especially when it comes to cookies.
Why This Chocolate Snowball Cookies Recipe Works
The technique matters just as much as the ingredients. Creaming the butter and sugar right creates tiny air pockets that make these cookies super tender, and not overbaking them keeps that melt-in-your-mouth texture. The double coating of powdered sugar - once while warm and once when cool - makes that perfect snowy look that won't brush off the minute you touch them. Rolling them while they're still slightly warm helps the first coating stick, while the second coating gives you that picture-perfect finish.
What really makes this Chocolate Snowball Cookies different is how forgiving it is. Even if you're not an experienced baker, these turn out great every time because the dough is easy to work with and the baking time is pretty flexible. The cookies hold their shape well, don't spread too much, and taste incredible whether you add nuts or keep them plain. They're one of those recipes that make you look like a baking expert even if you're just following simple steps.
FAQ
How to make chewy cookies easy?
The key to chewy chocolate snowball cookies is not overbaking them and using room temperature butter. Bake them just until set but still soft - they'll keep cooking on the hot pan. Also, don't pack the dough too tight when rolling, which can make them dense instead of tender.
What are the ingredients in snowball cookies?
Regular snowball cookies are made with butter, flour, powdered sugar, vanilla, and usually nuts. This chocolate version adds cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor. The powdered sugar coating on the outside gives them that "snowball" look that makes them so popular during holidays.
Why did my snowball cookies fall apart?
Usually this happens when the dough is too dry or the cookies are overbaked. Make sure your butter is properly creamed and at room temperature, and don't add too much flour. Also, let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them - they're fragile when hot.
How to get fluffy cookies?
For fluffy chocolate snowball cookies, cream the butter and sugar really well until light and fluffy, don't overmix once you add the flour, and make sure your oven temperature is right. Room temperature ingredients also help create better texture than cold ingredients straight from the fridge.
Holiday Cookie Magic Made Simple!
These cookies have become a tradition in our house, and I've watched them become favorites at every gathering I bring them to. The best part is seeing people's faces when they take that first bite and realize how much flavor is packed into something so simple. They're not just another cookie on the platter - they're the ones that disappear first and have people asking for the recipe. I've taught this recipe to probably a hundred people over the years, and it never fails to make them feel like baking superstars.
Craving more holiday and celebration treats that'll make your kitchen the favorite stop? Try our 5-Step Easy Cranberry Pie Recipe Anyone Can Make that's perfect for Thanksgiving and tastes way better than anything complicated. Want something a little healthier but still delicious? Our Healthy Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe gives you all the spice and sweetness without the guilt. For spring and summer celebrations, our Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe brings fresh, fruity flavors that everyone loves!
Share your snowball cookie success! We love seeing your powdered sugar masterpieces and hearing about your holiday baking adventures!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Electric mixer (Stand or handheld)
- 2 Baking sheets (Lined with parchment paper)
- 1 Large bowl (For mixing dough)
- 1 Cookie scoop (Optional, for uniform size)
- 1 Wire rack (For cooling cookies)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter - Softened to room temperature
- ½ cup Powdered sugar - For dough
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Pure recommended
- 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour - Measured correctly
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder - Sifted, high quality
- ¼ teaspoon Fine salt
- ¾ cup Chopped pecans or walnuts - Optional, finely chopped
- 1 cup Powdered sugar - For rolling, extra for second coating
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Bring all ingredients to room temperature and set aside powdered sugar for rolling.
- Cream butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
- Fold in chopped nuts if using. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on sheets.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until set. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar, cool completely, then roll again in sugar before serving.
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