Introduction

Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a festive twist on the classic snowball treat, combining refreshing mint flavor with rich chocolate chips. These soft, buttery cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a sweet, minty delight.

Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
⅔ cup powdered sugar (sifted)
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract (or peppermint extract)
Green food coloring (gel food color works best)
¾ cup mini chocolate chips
Additional powdered sugar for coating

Instructions

Step 1: Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Beat the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Mix in the flour, salt, and mint extract just until combined.
Step 4: Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until your desired color is reached. Gel food color works best.
Step 5: Stir in the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
Step 6: Scoop out about one tablespoon of dough per cookie and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
Step 7: Cover the dough balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 8: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 9: Bake the cookies for 7 to 8 minutes, watching closely so they only get very lightly browned on the bottom. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
Step 10: Line another baking sheet with parchment paper and dust it generously with powdered sugar. Transfer the slightly cooled cookies to this sheet and dust them with more powdered sugar.
Step 11: Allow the cookies to cool completely.
Step 12: Fill a small bowl halfway with powdered sugar. Drop cookies in one at a time and turn them until fully coated.
Step 13: Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger mint flavor, add an extra ¼ teaspoon of mint or peppermint extract, but be careful not to overpower the dough.
Use gel food coloring to avoid adding extra liquid that can affect the dough texture.
Swap mini chocolate chips for finely chopped dark chocolate for a richer taste.
If you prefer a less sweet coating, dust cookies with cocoa powder mixed with powdered sugar.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. To keep them fresh longer, place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain moisture. Reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes if you prefer a soft texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular peppermint extract instead of mint extract?

Yes, peppermint extract works well and provides a slightly more intense minty flavor that complements the chocolate chips beautifully.

Why do I need to refrigerate the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, making the cookies hold their shape better while baking and enhancing the overall texture and flavor.

Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

Delightfully festive Mint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies combine the classic buttery, crumbly texture of snowball cookies with refreshing mint flavor and mini chocolate chips. These soft, buttery cookies are tinted a cheerful green and lightly coated in powdered sugar, making them a perfect treat for the holidays or any mint-chocolate craving.

Author: Zane
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
⅔ cup powdered sugar (sifted)
2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract (or peppermint extract)
green food coloring (gel food color, a few drops)
¾ cup mini chocolate chips

For Coating

additional powdered sugar for coating

Instructions

Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which helps to create a tender cookie texture.
Add Dry Ingredients and Extract: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, salt, and mint extract just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep cookies tender.
Color the Dough: Add a few drops of green gel food coloring to the dough, mixing until the desired shade of green is reached. Gel colors work best to avoid extra moisture.
Fold in Chocolate Chips: Stir in the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough to distribute bursts of chocolate in every bite.
Shape Cookies: Scoop out one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
Chill Dough: Cover the cookie sheet loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure an even bake.
Bake Cookies: Bake the chilled cookies for 7 to 8 minutes, watching closely so they do not brown more than very lightly on the bottom. This keeps them soft and delicate.
Cool On Sheet: Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet; this short cooling helps set their shape without drying them out.
Prepare Coating: Line another baking sheet with parchment paper and dust it generously with powdered sugar. Place the slightly cooled cookies on this sheet and dust them with additional powdered sugar.
Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool completely to room temperature, allowing them to firm up slightly and the powdered sugar coating to set.
Final Powdered Sugar Coating: Fill a small bowl halfway with powdered sugar. One cookie at a time, drop them into the bowl and gently turn to coat fully with powdered sugar for the classic snowball appearance.
Store: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to four days to maintain freshness.

Notes

Gel food coloring is recommended to avoid adding extra moisture to the dough.
Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining the shape and texture of the cookies.
Do not overbake; cookies should remain pale with only slight browning on the bottom to ensure softness.
Use mini chocolate chips for better distribution and texture.
For a stronger mint flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract along with or instead of mint extract.
These cookies keep best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature but can be frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: mint chocolate chip cookies, snowball cookies, holiday cookies, green cookies, powdered sugar cookies, chocolate chip snowballs