If you are on the hunt for a melt-in-your-mouth, delectably soft cookie with a perfect balance of nutty richness and chocolatey bursts, the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies are tender, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar, creating a delightful snowball effect that feels like a festive hug with every bite. Whether you’re baking for a holiday celebration, a cozy afternoon treat, or just to surprise your loved ones, this recipe combines the warmth of peanut butter with the sweetness of chocolate chips in an utterly irresistible way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, familiar ingredients come together to create these spectacular cookies. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering the texture, flavor, and appearance that make the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe so special.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides the rich, creamy base and keeps the cookies tender.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: Adds a luscious nutty flavor and moist texture essential to snowball cookies.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling: Sweetens the dough gently and creates the classic snowball coating.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s overall flavor with a hint of warmth.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Gives structure to the dough for those perfect soft yet chewy bites.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the peanut butter and chocolate flavors.
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips: Small bursts of chocolate that melt into every bite, complementing the peanut butter beautifully.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter
Start by beating the softened butter and creamy peanut butter together until smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial because it ensures your cookies will have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with that classic peanut buttery richness that the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is famous for.
Step 2: Add the Sugar and Vanilla
Next, blend in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Powdered sugar helps create a delicate sweetness without graininess while contributing to the cookie’s soft texture. Vanilla lifts all the flavors and adds depth.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt. This combination forms the backbone of the cookies, balancing sweetness and ensuring a perfect crumb. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.
Step 4: Fold in Mini Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips. Their small size ensures that every bite of these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe is filled with little melts of chocolate heaven that pair beautifully with the peanut butter.
Step 5: Shape and Chill the Dough
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes to help them maintain their shape during baking and achieve that signature snowball texture.
Step 6: Bake and Roll in Powdered Sugar
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven until the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers remain soft. While still warm, roll each cookie generously in powdered sugar to create that iconic snowy coating that makes this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe such a crowd-pleaser.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of festivity, dust a little extra powdered sugar over the cookies right before serving or sprinkle them with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to amplify the peanut butter and chocolate flavors. You can even drizzle melted chocolate or peanut butter on top if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of rich coffee or hot chocolate. The creamy beverages contrast delightfully with the cookie’s richness, making snack time feel like a cozy celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Impress your guests by arranging these snowball cookies on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh mint or cranberries for color. Alternatively, serve them in cute little mason jars layered with festive tissue paper or pack them as charming homemade gifts wrapped with twine and a handwritten tag describing this joyful Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week. If you prefer crisp edges, let them breathe out of the container for a short period before enjoying.
Freezing
You can freeze the shaped dough balls before baking by placing them on a parchment-lined tray and freezing until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Fully baked cookies also freeze beautifully for up to three months.
Reheating
Warm the cookies in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to restore that just-baked freshness. Reheating will bring back the fantastic softness and meld the chocolate chips into gooey perfection once again.
FAQs
Can I substitute natural peanut butter in this recipe?
Absolutely! Natural peanut butter can be used, but because it contains more oil and less sugar, you might notice a slightly different texture and flavor. Just be sure to use a creamy variety to keep the dough manageable.
Why do the cookies need to be chilled before baking?
Chilling solidifies the fats in the dough, helping the cookies hold their shape during baking and resulting in a tender, crumbly texture that’s signature to snowball cookies.
Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips instead of mini?
Yes, but mini chocolate chips disperse more evenly throughout the cookie, ensuring each bite has that delightful chocolate surprise. Larger chips may cause the cookies to spread unevenly.
How do I prevent the powdered sugar coating from melting or disappearing?
Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm helps the sugar stick well. Once coated, let them cool completely before storing to maintain that classic snowball look.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking, though the texture might vary slightly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe that brings warmth and joy with every bite. Whether you bake them for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to become a new favorite. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to this delightful combination of peanut butter and chocolate wrapped in a snowy, sweet embrace. You’ll be so glad you did!
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
Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic snowball cookie, combining rich peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips for a perfectly soft, buttery treat dusted with powdered sugar. Ideal for holiday baking or anytime you crave a nostalgic sweet treat with a nutty chocolate flavor.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well to combine the flavors evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture. Stir gently until the dough just comes together, then fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, shape the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the cookies remain pale and soft in the center.
- Cool and Roll in Sugar: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar until fully coated to give them their traditional snowball appearance.
- Final Cooling: Transfer the sugared cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they are ready to serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right texture.
- For a crunchier cookie, substitute mini chocolate chips with chopped peanuts or larger chocolate chunks.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while warm helps the sugar adhere better for the classic snowball look.
