If you have a soft spot for cookies that melt in your mouth with just the right blend of sweet and nutty, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe. These delightful treats combine the rich, creamy taste of peanut butter with the irresistible charm of mini chocolate chips, all nestled inside a tender, buttery dough that gets dusted in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. The perfect balance of chewy and crumbly, these cookies are just the right bite-sized indulgence to brighten up any snack time or dessert craving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is your first step to making these cookies shine. Each one plays a crucial role, from the buttery base to the sweet snow-like coating, shaping the cookie into a delicious work of art.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Creates a rich, creamy texture and moist crumb essential for tender snowball cookies.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter: Adds a nutty depth and extra moisture that complements the sweetness perfectly.
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating): Sweetens and helps create that classic snowball cookie finish.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: Gives the dough structure and the perfect tender bite.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and boosts the peanut butter flavor.
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips: Adds delightful pockets of melty sweetness in every bite.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep Your Baking Sheets
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Setting the stage right ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out with that perfect golden bottom.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter
Next, beat together the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is key as it incorporates air, helping create a tender texture that practically melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla
The sweetness really starts to build here—mix in the powdered sugar along with the vanilla extract until everything is well blended and silky smooth. This mixture forms the sweet, creamy foundation of your cookie dough.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients and Fold in Chocolate Chips
Slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing gently to keep your dough tender and not overworked. Finally, fold in those mini chocolate chips so every cookie promises little bursts of chocolatey goodness.
Step 5: Shape the Dough into Snowballs
Roll the dough into one-inch balls, arranging them about an inch apart on your prepared baking sheets. These round shapes will transform into perfectly bite-sized snowball cookies as they bake.
Step 6: Bake Until Lightly Golden
Bake your cookie snowballs for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for a light golden color on the bottom edges. This light baking keeps them soft and tender, avoiding any crunchiness that takes away from their signature melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Step 7: Coat in Powdered Sugar Twice
While still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar for the first coating. Once they have cooled completely, give them a second roll in powdered sugar to achieve that classic, festive snowball look you know and love.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the powdered sugar coating is the star garnish, adding a sprinkle of crushed peanuts on top before baking can introduce a delightful crunch and extra nutty punch. For a festive touch, try adding a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate after the second powdered sugar coating.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk (whether dairy or nut milk), a warm cup of coffee, or a frothy hot chocolate. They make sweet companions for afternoon tea or as a perfect ending to a cozy holiday meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a decorative tin lined with tissue paper and gift them as delightful homemade treats. You can stack them carefully in a clear jar tied with a ribbon for an inviting kitchen decoration or serve them alongside fresh fruit for a balanced dessert platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe results fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay beautifully soft for up to a week, making snack time easy and stress-free when you want a quick sweet treat.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies beyond the week, freeze them either unbaked (shape the dough and freeze the balls) or baked. When frozen in an airtight container with parchment between layers, they stay fresh up to three months and thaw wonderfully without losing texture.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a low oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave on low for 10 to 15 seconds. This little trick revives the soft, buttery feel like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! While creamy peanut butter gives a smoother dough, using crunchy peanut butter will add a lovely bit of texture and peanutty crunch to your cookies, making each bite even more interesting.
Is it necessary to roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?
Yes, rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice enhances their signature snowball appearance and creates that irresistible, delicate outer coating that defines this classic cookie.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum to help maintain structure and texture similar to the original.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter and peanut butter are only softened and not melted, and chill the dough briefly if it feels too soft. This keeps the cookies from spreading out too much while baking.
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini ones?
Yes, regular chocolate chips will work fine. Mini chocolate chips are just easier to distribute evenly and provide little bursts of chocolate, but feel free to use what you have on hand.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that shines every time. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s the perfect treat to whip up for family gatherings, celebrations, or just because you want a little homemade sweetness on hand. Give it a try and enjoy the warm, nutty, chocolatey bliss that these snowball cookies bring to your table.
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic snowball cookie, combining creamy peanut butter with mini chocolate chips for a rich, nutty flavor. Soft, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar, they offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream the Butter & Peanut Butter – In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
- Mix in Sweeteners – Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients – Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing carefully. Once combined, fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly into the dough.
- Shape the Cookies – Using your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake – Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar – While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar for the first coat. Once completely cooled, roll the cookies again in powdered sugar to create the signature snowball cookie finish.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and peanut butter are softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should be just lightly golden on the bottom to keep them tender.
- You can substitute mini chocolate chips with chopped peanuts or white chocolate chips for variation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a thicker cookie, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling into balls.
