Peppermint Bark Snowball Cookies
Peppermint Bark Snowball Cookies combine the festive flavors of peppermint, chocolate, and buttery shortbread into a crunchy, sweet bite. Perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy winter nights, these cookies feature a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with bright peppermint pieces and a snowy powdered sugar coating, making them a delightful seasonal treat and great for gifting.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Cookie Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup crushed peppermint bark
- Prepare Your Baking Essentials: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract. Then gradually add the sifted all-purpose flour and salt, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in the Crushed Peppermint Bark: Carefully incorporate the crushed peppermint bark pieces, distributing them evenly for that perfect peppermint crunch in each cookie.
- Shape and Bake the Cookies: Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them spaced out on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges begin to turn light golden.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: While still warm, gently roll the cookies in powdered sugar. Allow them to cool completely, then roll them once more for a thick, snowy coating.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and improve texture.
- Use a sealed plastic bag and rolling pin to crush peppermint bark into evenly sized pieces.
- Remove cookies from the oven as soon as edges turn light golden to keep centers tender.
- Double coating the cookies in powdered sugar gives them their signature snowball appearance and extra sweetness.
- Use fresh peppermint bark for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: peppermint bark cookies, snowball cookies, holiday cookies, peppermint cookies, peppermint bark snowball, festive cookies, gluten-free peppermint cookies