If you’re looking for a cookie that’s perfect for the holiday season (or any time you need a sweet treat), Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a must-try! These cookies combine the rich, melty goodness of chocolate chips with the delicate, buttery texture of snowball cookies. With a light dusting of powdered sugar to finish them off, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making these perfect little bites of holiday joy, share tips for achieving the ideal texture, and explore some variations to make them uniquely yours.
Why Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Are a Holiday Favorite
Snowball cookies are a timeless treat known for their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Adding chocolate chips brings a delightful burst of sweetness and a touch of gooey richness. Here’s why they’re the perfect choice for your next cookie batch:
- Buttery, Melt-In-Your-Mouth Texture: Snowball cookies are made with a buttery dough that creates a tender, almost powdery texture, which contrasts wonderfully with the chocolate chips.
- Chocolate and Powdered Sugar Combo: The chocolate chips add depth to the flavor, while the dusting of powdered sugar on top gives them a sweet, snow-like appearance—perfect for the winter season.
- Versatile: These cookies are great for holidays, cookie exchanges, or as a quick dessert for any occasion. Plus, you can change up the flavor by adding nuts or different chocolate varieties.
- Easy to Make: Despite their fancy appearance, these cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare. The dough comes together quickly, and baking them is a breeze!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
The ingredients for these cookies are simple, yet they come together to create a flavorful treat. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or regular chocolate chips if preferred)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
Step 2: Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help the cookies stay tender.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. The cookies won’t spread much, so you can place them close together.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as you don’t want them to brown too much. They should remain soft in the center.
Step 5: Powdered Sugar Coating
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Once the cookies have cooled slightly, roll them in powdered sugar to give them that signature “snowball” look. Be generous with the sugar for that sweet, snowy coating.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Chill the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better and prevent spreading.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: For the best texture, mix the dough until just combined. Overmixing can make the cookies dense.
- Adjust the Chocolate Chips: You can use mini chocolate chips for a more even distribution, or regular chocolate chips for bigger bites of chocolate. You can even mix in white chocolate chips for a festive twist!
Variations of Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Want to make your snowball cookies even more exciting? Here are a few variations to try:
- Add Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a nice crunch and complementary flavor to the cookies.
- Coconut Snowballs: Mix in some shredded coconut for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Peanut Butter: Substitute half the butter with peanut butter for a peanut butter-chocolate chip snowball cookie.
- Minty Twist: Add a few drops of mint extract to the dough for a refreshing mint chocolate snowball cookie.
Storing Your Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
These cookies store wonderfully, making them perfect for holiday gift-giving or as a make-ahead treat. Here’s how to store them:
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a fun, festive, and irresistible treat that everyone will love. Whether you’re making them for the holidays or just because, these cookies offer the perfect balance of buttery texture, sweet chocolate chips, and a snowy powdered sugar finish. Easy to make and customizable to your tastes, these cookies will quickly become a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Happy baking, and enjoy every melt-in-your-mouth bite of these sweet snowball cookies!