Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies Recipe for Winter Gatherings

Peanut butter snowball cookies are one of those treats that feels like a warm hug on a cold winter day.

Soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture meets rich, nutty flavor in every single bite.

Rolling them in powdered sugar creates that classic snowy appearance while adding just the right amount of sweetness.

They’re wonderful for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or simply keeping around the house when cravings strike.

Something about their round, delicate shape makes them feel extra special without requiring fancy techniques.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into something so simple yet so completely satisfying.

Why Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies Are So Loved

• Quick Prep: These peanut butter snowballs are super simple to make with basic pantry ingredients that come together faster than running to the store.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Your family and friends will adore these melt-in-your-mouth cookies that combine classic peanut butter flavor with festive powdered sugar coating.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The dough chills easily in the refrigerator, giving your hands a break and letting you plan ahead for holiday gatherings or unexpected cookie cravings.
• Festive Favorite: These snowy white treats look gorgeous on a holiday dessert tray and bring serious charm to any seasonal celebration without complicated decorating skills.

Ingredient Overview for Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies

• Unsalted Butter (1 cup/2 sticks): Creates a rich, tender base for your cookies. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Creamy Peanut Butter (1 cup): Delivers that classic peanut flavor throughout your cookies. Smooth works best for even distribution.
• Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a delicate cookie texture.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a warm, subtle flavor that complements the peanut butter perfectly.

• All-Purpose Flour (2 1/4 cups): Forms the structural foundation of your cookies. Provides the right amount of structure and tenderness.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.

• Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Creates that classic snowball look and adds a sweet, delicate finish to your cookies. Coating them while they’re cool ensures a smooth, even layer.

What Tools Roll Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies

• Stand Mixer or Large Bowl: Your primary tool for mixing the dough smoothly and creating a light, fluffy texture. A stand mixer makes the process easier, but a large bowl with a handheld mixer works perfectly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements are key to getting the perfect cookie texture. Grab your standard set for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Whisk: A must-have for combining dry ingredients and ensuring no flour lumps remain in your mixture.
• Baking Sheet (13×18 inch): Select a sturdy sheet that provides even heat distribution for perfectly golden cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for preventing cookies from sticking and making clean-up a breeze.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms by allowing air circulation.
• Shallow Bowl: Perfect for rolling your finished cookies in powdered sugar and creating that classic snowball look.
• Plastic Wrap: Needed for chilling the dough and keeping it fresh before baking.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and mix ingredients thoroughly.

How to Roll Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies

Helpful Tips for Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies

• Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to help your cookies hold their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
• Use light, gentle hands when forming your cookie balls to keep them tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Let your cookies cool completely before rolling in powdered sugar, ensuring a clean, even coating that won’t melt.
• Watch your cookies closely and remove them from the oven when edges are just golden to maintain a soft, delicate texture.
• Store these cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to keep their delicate powdered sugar coating pristine.

Traditional Peanut Butter Snowball Cookie Variations

• Almond Butter Snowballs: Swap peanut butter with creamy almond butter for a nutty alternative that works perfectly with the same measurement in the recipe.
• Gluten-Free Cookie Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same quantity and mixing technique to ensure your cookies remain tender and delicious.
• Chocolate-Dusted Variation: After coating with powdered sugar, lightly dust your cookies with cocoa powder for an extra layer of rich chocolate flavor that complements the nutty base.
• Low-Sugar Version: Use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener in place of granulated sugar, reducing the overall sweetness while maintaining the cookie’s classic texture and shape.

How Do You Serve Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies

• Perfect Serving Size: Scoop out bite-sized cookies around 1 inch in diameter, which creates about 24 delightful treats perfect for sharing with friends or family during holiday gatherings.
• Festive Presentation: Arrange the powdered sugar-coated cookies on a decorative platter with a light dusting of extra powdered sugar, making them look like delicate snowballs ready to melt in your mouth.
• Party Pairing: Serve these cookies alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or coffee, where the rich peanut butter flavor complements the sweet, creamy drink beautifully.
• Storage Tip: Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in a sealed container with a piece of bread, which helps maintain their soft texture for up to three days.

How to Store Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies?

• Seal these delicate snowballs in an airtight container, keeping them separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their powdery charm.
• Refrigerate the dough up to 3 days before baking, which helps the flavors develop and makes rolling easier on your hands.
• Freeze baked and cooled cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks, ensuring a quick treat when holiday guests arrive unexpectedly.
• Keep the powdered sugar coating fresh by dusting cookies just before serving to maintain their beautiful snowy appearance.

Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies Recipe FAQs

Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45-52 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies deliver pure holiday cheer right to your dessert plate. Rolled in powdery sugar and packed with nutty goodness, these melt-in-your-mouth treats make your festive gathering absolutely delightful.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Combine 2 sticks softened butter and 1 cup creamy peanut butter in a mixer. Beat for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and fully blended.
2. Mix ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Blend thoroughly.
3. Separately whisk 2 ¼ cups flour with ¼ teaspoon salt in another bowl.
4. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Stop before overmixing.
5. Wrap dough tightly in plastic. Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to firm up.
6. Remove dough from refrigerator 10 minutes before baking. Allow to soften slightly.
7. Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Shape dough into 1-inch round balls. Space them 2 inches apart on prepared sheet.
9. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.
10. Remove from oven. Rest cookies on baking sheet for 3-4 minutes.
11. Transfer cookies to wire rack. Allow complete cooling.
12. Pour 1 cup powdered sugar into shallow bowl. Gently roll each cooled cookie to coat evenly.
13. Tap cookies to remove excess sugar. Place on clean wire rack.
14. Serve cookies at room temperature. Store in sealed container for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture when baking.
• Use room temperature butter and peanut butter for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
• For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
• Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still slightly warm for a more even, thicker coating that sticks better to the surface.

• Prep Time: 35-40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 208 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg