There’s something so inviting about baking during the colder months, especially when it comes to making Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies. With their soft, buttery centers and delightful crunch from the powdered sugar coating, these cookies are the perfect treat to warm your heart. The blend of chocolate chips and the nutty flavor of almonds adds an extra layer of comfort. You’ll find yourself reaching for just one more, savoring each blissful bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are not only easy to make but also provide a wonderful mix of textures and flavors. The almonds lend a gentle crunch, while the chocolate offers a sweet richness. Furthermore, these snowball cookies are perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings or cozy nights at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delightful treat that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients Needed For Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

• 3/4 cup sliced almonds: Choose raw almonds for a fresh, nutty flavor; they’ll get beautifully toasted in the baking process.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is your base. Make sure to measure it correctly for the best cookie texture—scoop and level it for accuracy!
• 1/4 + 1/8 tsp salt: A little salt balances the sweetness perfectly, enhancing the overall flavor.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, halfway softened: Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt content. Allow it to soften a bit for easier creaming with sugar.
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided: You’ll use this for both the dough and the delightful coating. It adds sweetness without making the cookies heavy.
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Always choose pure vanilla for a more aromatic and natural flavor.
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips: Mini chips are perfect for providing pockets of sweetness without overwhelming the cookie. Their smaller size melts into the dough just right.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grind the sliced almonds in a food processor until they’re tiny bits, then set them aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then set this mixture aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until well blended.
5. Mix in the vanilla extract, and with the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour and salt mixture. Mix just until combined; don’t overdo it!
6. Add in the chocolate chips and ground almonds, mixing to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
7. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a ball.
8. Transfer the dough balls to an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden brown.
10. Let them cool slightly on the sheet, then roll them in the remaining powdered sugar and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Once the cookies are cool, roll them again in powdered sugar for a thicker coating.
12. Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh!

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

Serve these cookies at room temperature for the best experience. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa, tea, or coffee. You can also stack them in a festive tin for a lovely gift or enjoy them fresh out of the oven with a sprinkling of extra powdered sugar on top for that classic snowball appearance!

How to Store Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

To maintain their softness and deliciousness, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week, but I doubt they’ll last that long once you’ve had a taste!

Tips to Make Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

• If you like a stronger almond flavor, consider using almond extract in addition to or in place of the vanilla.
• To make the cookies even more festive, add a touch of cinnamon to the dough.
• Experiment with different kinds of chocolate chips or even chopped nuts for varied textures and flavors!

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap out the sliced almonds for chopped pecans or walnuts if you prefer a different nut.
• Replace the mini chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a fun twist.
• If you want to make them gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini ones?

Yes, you can! Regular chocolate chips will work, but the mini chocolate chips offer a better distribution of chocolate throughout the dough.

How can I make these cookies vegan?

You can substitute the butter with a vegan margarine and use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) in place of the egg to achieve a similar texture.

Can I freeze Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies?

Absolutely! You can freeze the cookies either before or after baking. Just make sure they are tightly wrapped or placed in a freezer-safe container. They will stay good for about 3 months!

Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too much, it’s likely that the butter was too soft or that the dough was not chilled before baking. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help maintain the shape.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for the bottoms to turn lightly golden brown. The tops should remain pale, so don’t wait for them to brown too much; they will continue to set as they cool.

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

Delightful cookies with soft buttery centers and a crunchy powdered sugar coating, infused with the sweetness of chocolate and nutty almonds.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sliced almonds Choose raw almonds for a fresh, nutty flavor.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour Make sure to measure correctly by scooping and leveling.
• 1/4 + 1/8 tsp salt Balances the sweetness perfectly.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, halfway softened Allows for easier creaming with sugar.
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided Used for dough and coating.
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Use pure vanilla for the best flavor.
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips Smaller size melts just right into the dough.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grind the sliced almonds in a food processor until they’re tiny bits, then set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then set this mixture aside.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until well blended.
• Mix in the vanilla extract, and with the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour and salt mixture, mixing just until combined.
• Add in the chocolate chips and ground almonds, mixing to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
• Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a ball.
• Transfer the dough balls to an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them evenly apart.

Baking

• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden brown.
• Let them cool slightly on the sheet, then roll them in the remaining powdered sugar and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cool, roll them again in powdered sugar for a thicker coating.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. For extra almond flavor, use almond extract. Add cinnamon for a festive touch. Freeze either before or after baking; they will last about 3 months.

Keyword Baking, Chocolate Chip Cookies, cookies, Holiday Treats, Snowball Cookies