If you’re looking for a festive homemade cookie recipe that’s soft, buttery, and filled with a delicious hidden surprise, these Snowball Surprise Cookies are the perfect treat. Coated in powdered sugar and baked until lightly golden, these melt-in-your-mouth cookies have a delicate buttery texture with a sweet chocolate center hidden inside.
These homemade snowball cookies are perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts. Their beautiful snowy powdered sugar coating gives them a classic winter appearance while the hidden chocolate filling makes every bite extra special.
Whether you fill them with chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, peanut butter chips, hazelnuts, or other sweet surprises, these cookies are always a crowd favorite during the holiday season.
Why You’ll Love These Snowball Surprise Cookies
These buttery cookies are:
- Soft and tender
- Easy to make
- Perfect for holiday baking
- Beautiful for cookie trays
- Filled with a sweet surprise center
- Great for gifting and parties
The double coating of powdered sugar gives these cookies their classic snowball appearance while keeping them soft and sweet.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Granulated sugar or powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
- Powdered sugar for coating
How to Make Snowball Surprise Cookies
Start by beating the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and continue mixing until light and fluffy.
Slowly add the flour and mix until a soft cookie dough forms. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator to help the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Once chilled, scoop portions of cookie dough and flatten each piece slightly in your hand. Place a chocolate chip, chocolate chunk, or desired filling into the center and wrap the dough around it, rolling into a smooth ball.
Place the cookie dough balls onto a prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly golden on the bottom. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before rolling them in powdered sugar while still warm.
After the cookies have completely cooled, roll them once more in powdered sugar for the perfect snowy finish.
Tips for the Best Snowball Cookies
For perfect snowball surprise cookies:
- Use softened butter, not melted butter
- Chill the dough before baking
- Roll generously in powdered sugar twice
- Avoid overbaking
- Let the cookies cool slightly before coating
If your dough becomes too warm while shaping the cookies, place the tray in the refrigerator for a few minutes before baking to help prevent spreading.
Fun Filling Ideas
These cookies are easy to customize with different fillings such as:
- Chocolate chips
- Chocolate chunks
- Peanut butter chips
- Hazelnuts
- Mini truffles
- Caramel pieces
For a festive holiday touch, try adding a little cinnamon or cocoa powder to the powdered sugar coating.
Perfect for Christmas Baking
These homemade snowball cookies are especially popular during Christmas because of their snowy powdered sugar coating and festive appearance. They make beautiful additions to holiday cookie trays and homemade dessert boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do snowball cookies need to be rolled twice in powdered sugar?
Rolling the cookies while warm helps the first layer stick, while the second coating creates the classic snowy appearance.
Can I freeze snowball cookies?
Yes! These cookies freeze well in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading while baking.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in a sealed container, they stay fresh for up to one week.
More homemade cookie recipes to enjoy.
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Snowball Suprise Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar or powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks of chocolate or whatever filling you wish to add inside
- 2 cups powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer, or a medium size mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 1 minute.
- Add the sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing for 1 minute.
- Add the flour and mix on low for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the dry ingredients are well combined. Cover the cookie dough and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- scoop out about 1 tbsp of the cookie dough.
- Using your hands, flatten the cookie dough ball to fit around the chocolate.
- Roll the cookie dough into a ball.
- Place the shaped dough 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool slightly, about 5 minutes
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar.
- Once fully cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for that perfect snowball effect.
