These Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are soft, buttery cookies rolled in powdered sugar and filled with mini chocolate chips. They're an easy snowball cookie recipe that's perfect for the holiday season, cookie exchanges, or adding to a Christmas cookie tray.
Similar to Russian Tea Cakes, classic snowball cookies, and Mexican Wedding Cookies, this version adds a sweet chocolate twist.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic Christmas cookie - Inspired by Russian tea cake cookies and pecan snowball cookies, but with chocolate chips instead of nuts (perfect for nut allergies!).
- Simple ingredients - You likely already have everything you need in your pantry.
- Festive and fun - Powdered sugar coating makes them look like little snowballs, perfect for holiday treats.
- Crowd favorite - Great for a cookie swap, holiday cookie trays, or just enjoying with family at Christmas time.
Ingredients in Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- unsalted butter, softened to room temperature butter
- granulated sugar
- pure vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- mini chocolate chips (or regular chocolate chips)
- powdered sugar (for rolling)
- teaspoon salt
How to Make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Preheat oven by setting to 325°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until smooth.
- On low speed, beat in salt and flour until a snowball cookie dough forms. Be careful not to add too much flour.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Scoop using a #40 cookie scoop and roll the dough into 1-inch balls using a small cookie scoop for uniform size. Place on a prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, until the cookies are set and light golden on the bottom. These are buttery cookies, so don't overbake.
- Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then roll again in additional powdered sugar for the classic snowy look.
Quick Tips
- Uniform size - Use a #40 cookie scoop to get the same-sized cookies
- Flavor swaps - Try almond extract, add cocoa for chocolate flavor, or experiment with lemon snowball cookies for different flavors.
- Make Ahead - Make a large batch for your holiday cookie trays or a cookie exchange and freeze them for up to 3 months!
Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a freezer bag or container lined with parchment paper for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw and roll again in powdered sugar if needed.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
If you loved these chocolate chip snowballs, here are more Christmas cookies to add to your holiday baking list:
- Kolaczki- Buttery pastry cookies filled with sweet fruit preserves, these elegant treats are a festive favorite for holiday cookie trays.
- Pecan Crescent Cookies - Tender, nutty cookies shaped like little crescents and dusted with powdered sugar, a delicious variation of classic Christmas cookies.
- Gingerbread Cookies - Spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these cut-out cookies are one of the most iconic Christmas cookies to decorate with family.
- Gooey Butter Cookies - Soft, chewy, and rolled in powdered sugar, these rich cookies are an easy, crowd-pleasing addition to your holiday baking.
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies - A classic easy cookie recipe that is not only a classic holiday cookie but a favorite cookie all year round.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter - softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - spooned and leveled
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Mix in salt and flour until dough forms. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Scoop and roll into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 15-17 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Cool 5 minutes, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Cool on wire rack. Roll again in powdered sugar to create a thick coat before serving.
Notes
- Uniform size - Use a #40 cookie scoop to get the same-sized cookies
- Make Ahead - Make a large batch for your holiday cookie trays or a cookie exchange and freeze them for up to 3 months!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
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