If you have a soft spot for melt-in-your-mouth treats dusted with a snowy coat of sweetness, you are absolutely going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe. These delightful cookies are like little wintery treasures that combine the buttery richness of classic snowball cookies with the irresistible bursts of mini chocolate chips in every bite. The contrast between the delicate crumbly texture and gooey chocolate chips makes these cookies the perfect companion to your afternoon tea or a festive holiday celebration. Once you try this recipe, it will surely become one of your go-to favorites for sharing warmth and joy through baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple and straightforward, the ingredients for this recipe come together to create a cookie that boasts perfect texture, flavor balance, and just the right hint of sweetness. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—from the creamy unsalted butter that forms a tender base to the mini chocolate chips that add those little pockets of joy.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides rich flavor and a tender crumb while helping bind the dough together.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Adds delicate sweetness and blends effortlessly for a smooth texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds a warm aromatic note.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The structural backbone that holds everything together perfectly.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates the cookie’s flavors.
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips: Little bursts of chocolate that melt in your mouth with every bite.
- Additional powdered sugar, for rolling: Creates the signature snowy coating that makes these cookies so irresistible.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugar
Start by creaming together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This is key for creating a tender texture and ensuring your cookies will melt in your mouth later. Once smooth, add the vanilla extract and gently mix until combined—it gives the dough a lovely, fragrant base.
Step 2: Mixing in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to your creamed butter and sugar. Mix just until the dough begins to come together—overmixing here might toughen your cookies, so be gentle. The flour provides structure while the salt amps up the flavors just enough to balance the sweetness.
Step 3: Incorporating Chocolate Chips
Fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough. These tiny gems will give crunchy bursts of chocolate goodness in every bite, perfectly complementing the soft, crumbly cookie base.
Step 4: Shaping the Cookies
Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place each ball about an inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet to allow enough room for spreading during baking. This step ensures uniform cookies and a neat presentation.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Bake your cookies at 375°F (190°C) for 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll notice the bottoms turn a light golden color while the tops remain pale—this is exactly what you want for that classic snowball softness and flavor.
Step 6: The Final Snowy Touch
Once baked, let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar for the first coating. After they fully cool, give them a second roll in powdered sugar to create the signature snowball effect that makes this Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe so enchanting.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Keep it simple and classic by dusting additional powdered sugar on the serving plate or over the cookies just before serving. A gentle dusting of cocoa powder or a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios can also add a festive touch and a pop of color.
Side Dishes
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of cocoa, rich coffee, or a soothing cup of chai tea. These drinks complement the sweet buttery flavors and bring out the chocolatey goodness, making snack time or dessert truly indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, arrange your snowball cookies in a decorative tin or wrap them individually in colorful cellophane tied with festive ribbons. You can also stack them in layers separated by parchment paper on a beautiful serving platter for a visually stunning display that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, retaining their melt-in-your-mouth texture and chocolaty pockets perfectly.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully, making them perfect for holiday prepping. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months without losing their charm.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, simply let frozen cookies thaw to room temperature and then warm in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This step refreshes their softness and brings back that just-baked feel, perfect for cozy moments.
FAQs
Can I substitute mini chocolate chips with regular chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Regular chocolate chips will work perfectly fine but keep in mind they might create bigger chocolate pockets, which could alter the texture slightly. Mini chocolate chips offer a more even distribution and bite-sized bursts of chocolate.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup for all-purpose flour for a similar texture.
Why don’t the tops of the cookies brown?
The signature feature of snowball cookies is their pale, soft tops with lightly golden bottoms. This happens because of the high butter content and baking temperature, which encourages the browning on the bottom while keeping the tops soft and delicate.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
While you can use salted butter, it’s best to use unsalted butter to control the exact amount of salt in the recipe. If salted butter is on hand, reduce or omit the added salt to avoid over-seasoning your cookies.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill your dough for 15-30 minutes if you notice excessive spreading. Also, rolling dough into firm balls helps maintain shape during baking, resulting in those perfect snowball spheres.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings together the timeless charm of snowball cookies and the irresistible delight of chocolate chips. Whether for holiday gifting, a cozy afternoon treat, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist. Trust me, once you bake a batch, they will disappear fast—and you’ll find yourself reaching for the recipe again and again. So get your apron on and enjoy the magic of snowball cookies made deliciously your own!
Print
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully buttery and tender Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies coated with a double dusting of powdered sugar for a festive, snowy finish. Perfectly bite-sized, these cookies combine the classic snowball texture with mini chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
For Rolling
- Additional powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the bowl, mixing just until the dough starts to come together and no dry flour remains. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips evenly into the dough, ensuring every bite will have some chocolate delight.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll each into approximately 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. The tops should remain pale as the cookies finish baking.
- First Roll in Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While they are still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly.
- Second Roll in Sugar: After the cookies have fully cooled to room temperature, roll them again in powdered sugar for a second, more pronounced snowy coating, completing their signature look and flavor.
Notes
- For best results, use softened but not melted butter to achieve the ideal texture.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice ensures a beautiful, snowball-like appearance.
- Mini chocolate chips are preferred as they spread evenly and maintain the cookie’s soft texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing to prevent sogginess.
