Name: Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Challenge Unsalted Butter (226g), softened; ½ cup (57g) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon ground allspice; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; 1 tablespoon molasses; 2 ¼ cups (279g) all-purpose flour; Powdered sugar for rolling

There’s something instantly cozy about these little bite-sized treats dusted in powdered sugar—meet my favorite Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe. They bring the warm spice of gingerbread into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that's honestly too good not to share.

Fourteen round balls of light brown dough with small dark specks are evenly spaced on a dark baking tray. Each ball is smooth and similar in size, arranged in three rows with some crumbs scattered on the tray. The tray sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't tell you how many times I’ve pulled these cookies out at holiday gatherings and had friends ask for the recipe right away. The combination of cozy spices and buttery sweetness, rolled in a snowy blanket of powdered sugar, makes for a cookie everyone will adore.

Deliciously Spiced: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves gives these cookies a true gingerbread flavor without being overwhelming.
Simple to Make: The dough comes together with ingredients you probably already have, and though it looks crumbly at first, it magically forms into the perfect dough with a little patience.
Perfect Texture: These cookies are tender, buttery, and just the right kind of crumbly—coating them in powdered sugar creates that classic snowball effect that's irresistible.
Great for Gifting: They keep well, look beautiful in a festive tin, and taste like comfort wrapped in a cookie, so they’re ideal for sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Let me walk you through why these components are key and some quick tips to get the best results.

Flat lay of a small mound of soft unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a whole vanilla bean pod, a tiny heap of coarse salt crystals, small piles of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, and ground cloves arranged symmetrically, a small white bowl containing dark amber molasses, and a neat pile of all-purpose flour, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Use unsalted and softened butter for control over the saltiness and ease in mixing, which ensures a tender crumb.
Powdered Sugar: It sweetens gently and gives a melt-in-the-mouth texture that granulated sugar can’t mimic here.
Vanilla Extract: Just a touch brightens up the spices and enriches the overall flavor.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and spices, balancing the flavor perfectly—you won't want to skip this.
Ground Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves): This warm spice mix is what makes these cookies scream holiday joy and that signature gingerbread taste.
Molasses: Adds depth and moisture—it's what gives these cookies their characteristic gingerbread warmth without being too sticky.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure of your cookie; be sure to measure it properly by spooning into your cup and leveling off to avoid dry cookies.
Extra Powdered Sugar for Rolling: This final coating not only gives them their snowball appearance but adds a delightful sweetness with each bite.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to keep things classic with this recipe, but don’t hesitate to tweak it to fit your style. You can easily make these cookies your own by mixing in little touches or swapping ingredients.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is adding a handful of finely chopped crystallized ginger for an extra zing and chewy texture — it really amps up the ginger flavor.
Dietary Mod: For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based spread, but watch for slight texture changes.
Seasonal Twist: Around the holidays, I sometimes sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible gold dust or colored sugar over the powdered coating for a festive look that never fails to impress guests.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe

A pile of round cookies covered in white powdered sugar sits in a decorative, open blue tin with white floral and swirl patterns, lined with light parchment paper. Each cookie is dusted with finely powdered sugar and topped with small red and green sprinkles. The tin is placed on a white marbled surface surrounded by sheer white ribbon and silver Christmas ornaments, creating a festive look. The background is softly blurred with a white cloth draped around, enhancing the holiday feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Soften and Whip the Butter

Start by bringing your butter to room temperature. I usually leave it out for about an hour before baking. Then, whip it with an electric mixer for about 20 seconds until it’s fluffy—this little step helps create that tender texture you want in a snowball cookie.

Step 2: Mix in Sugar, Spices, and Molasses

Add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and molasses to your butter. Mix everything until smooth and well combined. I like to pause and scrape down the sides of my bowl partway through to make sure all those festive spices are evenly dispersed.

Step 3: Incorporate the Flour Slowly

When you add the flour, don’t be discouraged if the mixture looks crumbly at first—it’s totally normal. Keep mixing patiently; after a minute or two, it’ll start to come together into a soft dough. This step requires a little faith, but it always works out!

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Scoop out roughly one tablespoon of dough per cookie and roll it into a ball. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving a little room for spreading. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, until the bottoms just start to turn golden. Keep an eye on them—they bake quickly and you don’t want to overdo it.

Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven and are cool enough to handle (just a minute or so), roll them in powdered sugar. They’ll look like little frosted snowballs. Once completely cooled on a wire rack, feel free to give them another roll—it really helps build that signature sugary coating.

Top Tip

After baking Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tips that make the difference between just okay cookies and ones everyone remembers.

Patience with the Dough: Don’t rush when adding the flour—keep mixing, even if it looks crumbly. The dough always comes together beautifully with a little persistence.
Soft Butter is Key: Using butter that’s too cold makes mixing nearly impossible and results in tougher cookies.
Double Rolling in Powdered Sugar: Rolling cookies once they’re warm and then again after they cool makes the coating thicker and more festive-looking.
Watch Your Oven: Bake until the bottoms are just turning brown to avoid dry cookies—timing can vary by oven, so use visual cues more than the clock.

How to Serve Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe

Gingerbread Snowball Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

While I love the classic powdered sugar coating, I sometimes sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon sugar over the cookies just before serving for an extra spark of flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a light dusting of cocoa powder mixed with powdered sugar lends a subtle chocolate twist that pairs wonderfully with gingerbread spices.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly with a hot cup of chai tea or a glass of cold milk. I also like to plate them alongside some spiced mulled cider during holiday parties for a cozy touch. A side of fresh fruit or citrus slices brightens up the cookie plate beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve wrapped a batch in parchment paper tied with twine and tucked in a sprig of rosemary or cinnamon stick. Stacking these cookies in a clear glass jar creates a gorgeous display and doubles as a thoughtful, edible gift. You can even serve them on a platter shaped like a snowflake or tree for an extra festive vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh and flavorful for up to a week—perfect for nibbling or sharing.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I freeze the unbaked dough balls on a sheet tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, just pop the frozen dough balls in the oven—add a minute or two to the bake time. Ready-made cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.

Reheating

If you want to warm up leftover cookies, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave or 3-4 minutes in a low oven (300°F) does wonders. Just avoid overheating, or they might dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just keep an eye on dough consistency, as gluten-free dough can sometimes be a little more delicate.

Why does my dough stay crumbly and not come together?

The dough can look crumbly at first—just keep mixing! Soft butter and a bit of patience are key here. If it remains crumbly, your butter might be too cold or not enough moisture is present, so make sure the butter is fully softened and measured ingredients are accurate.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it wrapped tightly for up to 48 hours. When you’re ready, scoop the dough, roll into balls, and bake as usual. Alternatively, freeze dough balls for longer storage.

How do I ensure the powdered sugar coating sticks well?

Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm but cool enough to handle. Then once they’re fully cooled, roll them again. The warmth slightly melts the sugar, helping it adhere to the cookie for that classic snowy look.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Gingerbread Snowball Cookies Recipe becomes as much of a comfort to you as it is to me. There’s something magical about gathering around a plate of these snowy, spiced treats with loved ones, sharing stories, and making memories. So grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy baking a batch of these cozy little delights—you won’t regret it.