Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 45 min. Bake: 10 min./batch

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Aug. 09, 2023
The holidays don't begin around our house until a batch of these cookies is baking in the oven. Their wonderful aroma scrumptiously says, "Christmas!"
Peppermint Snowball Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup ground nuts, optional
  • FILLING:
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon 2% milk
  • 3 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies
  • 1 drop red food coloring, optional
  • TOPPING:
  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour. Stir in nuts if desired. Knead dough until smooth. If dough is too soft to shape, refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  2. In small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, milk, candy and, if desired, food coloring. Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a deep indentation in the center of each.
  3. Fill dough balls with 1/4 teaspoon filling each; cover each with 1/4 teaspoon dough and seal. Gently reshape into balls. Combine topping ingredients; roll balls in topping. Chill in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
  4. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until firm. Roll warm cookies in remaining topping; cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 160 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.