Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe

Magical Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe for Cozy Baking

Indulging in these delightful chocolate chip snowball cookies brings pure winter magic right to your kitchen.

Sweet memories of childhood drift through the air as powdery sugar coats each delicate morsel.

Crumbly and rich, these treats melt instantly on your tongue with a delicate blend of buttery goodness.

Flour, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans combine in a simple dance of flavors that whispers comfort.

Soft and pillowy, these cookies transform ordinary moments into delectable celebrations of warmth.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, they promise to become an instant favorite at any gathering.

Make these cookies and watch smiles bloom across faces, filling your home with irresistible charm.

FAQs About Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

  • Can I use margarine instead of butter?

No, butter provides the rich flavor and proper texture. Margarine might change the cookie’s consistency and taste.

  • How fine should I chop the nuts?

Roughly chop them into small, pea-sized pieces. This ensures even distribution and prevents large nut chunks disrupting the cookie’s delicate structure.

  • What if I don't have vanilla extract?

Use vanilla bean paste or vanilla powder as alternatives. These will maintain the subtle flavor profile that enhances the cookie’s sweetness.

  • Is it okay to use different types of nuts?

Yes, almonds or hazelnuts work great. Just ensure they’re fresh and finely chopped to maintain the cookie’s classic snowball texture.

Why You’ll Keep Baking Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

  • Conquer Easy Baking: Perfect for novice bakers who want to impress without complicated techniques, these snowball cookies require minimal culinary skills and basic ingredients.
  • Customize with Creativity: Switch out nuts, add different chocolate chips, or experiment with flavor extracts to make this recipe uniquely yours, transforming a classic treat into a personal masterpiece.
  • Deliver Crowd-Pleasing Delight: These cookies are guaranteed to be a hit at potlucks, holiday gatherings, and family celebrations, offering a sweet treat that appeals to both kids and adults with their delightful texture and powdery appearance.
  • Create Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and store in the refrigerator, giving you flexibility for spontaneous baking or preparing ahead of special occasions without last-minute stress.

Ingredients For Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

For the Base:
  • Unsalted Butter: The foundational ingredient that provides richness and helps bind the cookie dough together.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp texture in the cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a soft, melt-in-your-mouth coating and contributes to the snowball-like appearance.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps the cookies maintain their classic snowball shape.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
For the Mix-Ins and Coating:
  • Pecans, Walnuts: Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the cookies.
  • Chocolate Chips: Introduce pockets of rich chocolate throughout the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Additional Powdered Sugar: Creates the signature snowy white coating that gives these cookies their name.

How To Make Snowball Cookies With Chocolate Chips

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This creates a clean surface for your delightful cookie adventure.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sweeteners

Blend unsalted butter with granulated and powdered sugar using an electric mixer. Whip until the mixture becomes super fluffy and light. Pour in vanilla extract to boost the flavor profile.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough Base

Gradually incorporate flour and salt into the butter mixture. Mix until the dough becomes slightly crumbly but holds together when pressed.

Step 4: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

Fold in your chosen mix-ins:
  • Chopped pecans
  • Chopped walnuts
  • Chocolate chips

Ensure these tasty additions are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5: Shape Delicate Cookies

Use your hands to roll small cookie balls. Aim for bite-sized spheres about 1 inch in diameter. Compress each ball firmly to maintain a perfect round shape.

Step 6: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place cookie balls on the prepared sheet. Space them approximately 2 inches apart to allow minimal spreading during baking.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a soft golden color. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 8: Initial Cooling Period

Remove cookies from the oven. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This helps them stabilize and set their structure.

Step 9: Create Snowy Coating

While cookies are still warm, gently roll each one in powdered sugar. Ensure complete coverage for that classic snowball appearance.

Step 10: Final Cooling

Transfer sugar-coated cookies to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely, letting the powdered sugar set into a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Tips For Light, Perfect Snowball Cookies

  • Prevent Crumbly Dough: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted to achieve the perfect cookie texture and prevent dry, falling-apart cookies.
  • Nail the Perfect Size: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1-inch balls, guaranteeing consistent baking and a professional look.
  • Avoid Sugar Clumping: Sift powdered sugar before coating to create a smooth, even layer that sticks beautifully to the warm cookies without lumps.
  • Preserve Cookie Freshness: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate structure.
  • Swap Mix-Ins Creatively: Replace pecans with almonds or swap chocolate chips for white chocolate for a personalized twist on the classic snowball cookie.

New Spins On Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Snowball Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same tender texture.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Variation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use vegan chocolate chips, and replace regular sugar with coconut sugar to create a plant-based friendly treat.
  • Nutty Alternative: Substitute pecans or walnuts with almonds, pistachios, or macadamia nuts for a different flavor profile and unique crunch in each bite.
  • Spiced Winter Edition: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the dough for a warm, festive flavor that enhances the traditional snowball cookie experience.

What Goes With Snowball Cookies

  • Pair Creamy Hot Chocolate: Indulge in a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the nutty, sweet snowball cookies with its smooth texture and warm embrace.
  • Combine Vanilla Bean Latte: Enjoy a luxurious vanilla bean latte that echoes the cookie's vanilla notes while providing a creamy, sophisticated beverage pairing.
  • Match Caramel Spice Tea: Delight in a warming caramel spice tea that highlights the cookies' nutty undertones and adds a cozy, comforting dimension to the dessert experience.
  • Serve Dessert Wine Companion: Select a sweet dessert wine like port or moscato to create a decadent flavor harmony that elevates the snowball cookies' delicate sweetness.

Keeping Snowball Cookies Fresh

  • Store cooled snowball cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicate texture and flavor.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to preserve their original soft texture.
  • Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
  • Warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their just-baked warmth.
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Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Delightful chocolate chip snowball cookies deliver a winter wonderland of sweet, buttery crumbles melting with chocolatey goodness. Rich Mexican wedding cookie tradition meets modern chocolate indulgence, offering you a perfect holiday treat that disappears moments after serving.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Nuts and Flavoring

  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Coating

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a workspace for your delicate snowball cookies.
  2. Thoroughly cream the unsalted butter with both granulated and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating the vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
  3. Gently fold in the all-purpose flour and salt, creating a crumbly dough that will hold its shape when pressed together.
  4. Carefully mix in the chopped pecans or walnuts and chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for consistent texture and taste.
  5. Use your hands to form small, compact balls approximately 1-inch in diameter, ensuring each cookie is tightly packed to maintain its snowball-like appearance.
  6. Arrange the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for minimal spreading during baking.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for a delicate golden edge that indicates the cookies are perfectly done but not overcooked.
  8. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, allowing them to set and become more stable.
  9. While still warm but not hot, gently roll each cookie in the additional powdered sugar, creating a smooth, snow-like coating that completely covers the surface.
  10. Transfer the sugar-coated cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the powdered sugar to set and create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of chocolate chips to control sweetness and create a balanced flavor profile.
  • Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better cookie texture.
  • Toast nuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, richer taste.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the snowball shape during baking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 152
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 35 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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