🎉 Introduction
These Easy Christmas Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats that bring instant holiday cheer. Loaded with mini M&Ms for a colorful Christmas twist and coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar, they’re the kind of cookies that disappear fast at parties.
They require no complicated techniques, no chilling, and use simple pantry ingredients — making them perfect for festive baking with kids, holiday cookie boxes, or Christmas Eve dessert trays. Every bite delivers buttery sweetness, holiday crunch, and that iconic snowball texture we all love.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Cookie scoop (optional)
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup mini M&Ms
Coating
- Extra powdered sugar for rolling
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a bowl, cream together softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3: Add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Fold in mini M&Ms gently so they stay whole.
Step 5: Roll dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
Step 6: Place dough balls onto the baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between them.
Step 7: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms turn lightly golden.
Step 8: Let cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm.
Step 9: After the cookies cool completely, roll them again for the perfect snowy finish.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 20–24 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.
Freezer:
Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Not needed — enjoy at room temperature.
🥄 Variations
⭐ Christmas Sprinkle Snowballs
Swap M&Ms for colorful holiday sprinkles.
⭐ Chocolate Chip Snowballs
Use mini chocolate chips instead of M&Ms.
⭐ Nutty Snowballs
Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
⭐ Peppermint Snowballs
Stir in crushed candy canes.
⭐ Double Vanilla
Add ½ tsp more vanilla for extra warmth.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce the added salt by half.
2. Why roll twice in powdered sugar?
The first coat melts into the cookie, the second creates the true “snowball” look.
3. Can I chill the dough?
Optional — chilling 20 minutes helps the cookies hold their round shape.
4. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — perfect for Christmas parties.
5. Why are my cookies crumbly?
The dough may be slightly dry — add 1 teaspoon of butter or milk.
6. Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
7. Do they spread in the oven?
No — snowball cookies keep their shape.
8. Can I use regular M&Ms?
Yes, but mini M&Ms give better balance.
9. Do the cookies stay soft?
Yes — store them in an airtight container.
10. Can kids help make these?
Yes — this is a very child-friendly recipe.
🏁 Conclusion
These Easy Christmas Snowball Cookies are festive, buttery, and filled with chocolatey crunch thanks to the holiday M&Ms. With their delicate texture, snowy powdered sugar coating, and cheerful color, they’re the perfect holiday baking project. Simple, delicious, and guaranteed to brighten up your Christmas table!
Easy Christmas Snowball Cookies Recipe For Festive Baking
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Store in an airtight container up to 1 week. Freezer:
Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months. Reheat:
Not needed — enjoy at room temperature. 🥄 Variations
⭐ Christmas Sprinkle Snowballs Swap M&Ms for colorful holiday sprinkles. ⭐ Chocolate Chip Snowballs Use mini chocolate chips instead of M&Ms. ⭐ Nutty Snowballs Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts. ⭐ Peppermint Snowballs Stir in crushed candy canes. ⭐ Double Vanilla Add ½ tsp more vanilla for extra warmth. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use salted butter? Yes — reduce the added salt by half. 2. Why roll twice in powdered sugar? The first coat melts into the cookie, the second creates the true “snowball” look. 3. Can I chill the dough? Optional — chilling 20 minutes helps the cookies hold their round shape. 4. Can I double the recipe? Absolutely — perfect for Christmas parties. 5. Why are my cookies crumbly? The dough may be slightly dry — add 1 teaspoon of butter or milk. 6. Can I make them gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. 7. Do they spread in the oven? No — snowball cookies keep their shape. 8. Can I use regular M&Ms? Yes, but mini M&Ms give better balance. 9. Do the cookies stay soft? Yes — store them in an airtight container. 10. Can kids help make these? Yes — this is a very child-friendly recipe. 🏁 Conclusion These Easy Christmas Snowball Cookies are festive, buttery, and filled with chocolatey crunch thanks to the holiday M&Ms. With their delicate texture, snowy powdered sugar coating, and cheerful color, they’re the perfect holiday baking project. Simple, delicious, and guaranteed to brighten up your Christmas table!
