These Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are the perfect blend of rich chocolate and buttery cookie wrapped in a cloud of powdered sugar. Each bite melts in your mouth, revealing a soft center packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and delicate vanilla notes.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays, gifting friends, or simply craving something sweet, these cookies check every box. They’re simple to make, beautifully rustic in appearance, and an instant crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies offer more than just good looks. Their texture is tender and crumbly, almost like shortbread, with a hidden treasure of mini chocolate chips in every bite. The balance of buttery richness and chocolate indulgence makes them hard to resist. Plus, no eggs are involved, which is great for those with allergies or when you’re out of eggs!
These cookies also store incredibly well, making them a go-to option for holiday tins, dessert tables, or late-night snacks.
Can I Use Regular Chocolate Chips Instead of Mini Ones?
While mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly in the dough, you can absolutely use regular-sized ones in a pinch. If you’re using larger chips, give them a rough chop before folding into the dough to prevent the cookies from cracking when you roll them.
Ingredients for the Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Each ingredient in this cookie recipe plays a crucial role in flavor and texture, so it’s worth using quality items:
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Let it come to room temperature for best results.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dough gently and coats the finished cookies in a festive snow-like finish.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall warmth and flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie structure.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and intensifies the buttery notes.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Distribute chocolate flavor evenly throughout the dough.
- Extra Powdered Sugar for Rolling: Adds the signature snowy coating after baking.
How To Make the Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes and forms the base of your dough.
Step 2: Add Vanilla
Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined. This small step makes a big difference in flavor.
Step 3: Stir in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add flour and salt. Mix until a dough begins to form—it may look crumbly at first, but keep mixing until it comes together.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently stir in the mini chocolate chips until evenly dispersed.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading.
Step 6: Preheat and Roll
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. Do not overbake—they should remain pale on top.
Step 8: Roll in Powdered Sugar
Let cookies cool slightly before rolling them in powdered sugar while still warm. Roll again once completely cooled for an extra snowy finish.

How to Serve and Store These Cookies
These Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies make delightful holiday or winter party treats, and their snowy appearance is a natural conversation starter. Each batch makes about 24 cookies and serves around 8-10 people.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the uncoated cookies for up to 2 months and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
What to Serve With Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies?
Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows
Rich, warm cocoa complements the crumbly sweetness of these cookies perfectly.
Peppermint Tea
A refreshing and light contrast that keeps your palate balanced.
Creamy Eggnog
The indulgence of eggnog pairs wonderfully with the buttery notes in the cookies.
Coffee or Espresso
Ideal for morning gatherings or cookie exchanges, especially with bold, dark roast.
Mulled Wine
For adult gatherings, this spiced drink is cozy and aromatic with sweet bites.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Turn these cookies into a dessert plate with a scoop of vanilla for contrast.
Lemon Curd or Jam
Serve with a side of tart jam to add a fruity layer of flavor.
Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?
If you’re loving these Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies, you might also enjoy these standout recipes from our cookie collection:
- Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe for a meltaway bite.
- Mini Pecan Tarts if you’re into buttery crusts and gooey centers.
- Lemon Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Cups for a citrusy, creamy dessert.
- Chocolate Raspberry Drip Cake if you’re feeling fancy.
- Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake for a rich and fruity finish.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you use mini chips or chop your own? Try adding nuts or a dusting of cinnamon?
I love hearing your twists on these cookies. Questions are always welcome, too—let’s bake better together.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Nora Nosh Recipes and discover your new go-to for feeling great!
Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a dreamy blend of buttery shortbread and melty chocolate, dusted in powdered sugar for the ultimate festive finish. Whether you’re after a quick dessert, easy holiday cookies, or food ideas for a winter gathering, these little gems deliver. They’re a delightful twist on traditional snowball cookies—simple to bake, irresistibly crumbly, and perfect for gifting. If you’re on the hunt for breakfast ideas, healthy snacks, or an easy recipe to sweeten your day, you’ve landed in the right spot.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
0.5 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2.25 cups all-purpose flour
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.75 cup mini chocolate chips
0.5 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
1. Cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
3. Add flour and salt gradually, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Fold in mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
5. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until bottoms are lightly golden but tops remain pale.
8. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Cool, then roll again for a snowy finish.
Notes
Use room-temperature butter for the best texture.
Rolling cookies twice in powdered sugar gives them the perfect snowy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
