There are few things more magical than holiday baking—the soft glow of Christmas lights, the clinks of mixing bowls, the cozy warmth from the oven, and the excitement of creating treats that feel like pure December joy. Among all the cookies that make an appearance this time of year, Candy Cane Snowball Cream Cheese Cookies hold a special charm. They’re soft, festive, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and coated in a snowy dusting of powdered sugar that looks like freshly fallen winter flakes.
Even better, this recipe combines three beloved holiday elements into one unforgettable bite:
❄️ Snowball cookie softness
❤️ Cream cheese richness
🍬 Candy cane crunch and peppermint sparkle
These cookies aren’t just delicious—they feel like Christmas. And thanks to their simplicity, anyone can make them even during the busiest holiday week.
Whether you’re adding to a gift tin, decorating a dessert table, preparing a cookie tray for a party, or baking with family on a cozy December afternoon, these cream cheese snowballs bring festive magic to every moment.
❄️ Why These Candy Cane Snowball Cookies Are a Holiday Must
Holiday cookies come in many forms—some classic, some nostalgic, some innovative—but these candy cane snowballs manage to combine the best qualities of all three.
✔ The texture is irresistible
Soft inside, slightly crisp outside, and finished with a powdered-sugar “snow” that melts on your tongue.
✔ The flavor is festive
Cream cheese adds richness, while crushed candy canes bring peppermint sparkle.
✔ They’re visually stunning
Pale, snowy, sparkly cookies that look beautiful on every holiday table.
✔ They’re simple to make
No chilling overnight, no rolling pins, no complicated decorating.
✔ They fit perfectly on Christmas cookie boards
Especially alongside other festive favorites like the Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies – Red & Green Holiday Edition:
https://ilikerecipes.com/cream-cheese-christmas-cookies-red-green-holiday-edition/
✔ They feel nostalgic
The aroma of vanilla and peppermint instantly transports you to childhood Christmas memories.
These cookies check every box for holiday baking: fun, easy, beautiful, and absolutely delicious.
🎁 Ingredient Breakdown (and Why They Work)
Every ingredient in this recipe contributes something special:
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | ½ cup | Soft, rich cookie structure |
| Cream cheese | 4 oz | Adds moisture, richness & melt-in-mouth texture |
| Powdered sugar | ½ cup | Creates the signature snowball softness |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tbsp | Warm holiday flavor |
| All-purpose flour | 1¾ cups | Base structure of the cookies |
| Baking powder | ½ tsp | Gentle lift without becoming cakey |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | Balances sweetness |
| Crushed candy canes | ½ cup | Peppermint crunch & festive flavor |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup | Sparkling exterior |
| Powdered sugar | ½ cup | Final snowy coating |
This blend creates a cookie that’s soft, buttery, rich, and beautifully speckled with tiny peppermint crystals.
🎄 Step-by-Step: How to Make Candy Cane Snowball Cream Cheese Cookies
1. Preheat the Oven
Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
This keeps cookies soft and prevents over-browning.
2. Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar
Beat until light, fluffy, and completely smooth.
Why this matters:
Creaming introduces tiny air pockets that keep the cookies tender.
3. Add the Vanilla
Mix in the vanilla extract for classic holiday warmth.
4. Add Dry Ingredients
Add flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix until a soft dough forms—slightly sticky but moldable.
5. Fold in Crushed Candy Canes
Peppermint distributes through the dough, adding color and crunchy bursts of flavor.
6. Chill the Dough
20 minutes is enough.
This helps the cookies hold their round snowball shape while baking.
7. Shape the Cookies
Roll into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
8. Roll in Granulated Sugar
This creates a subtle sparkle under the final powdered-sugar coating.
9. Bake
Bake 10–12 minutes until:
-
Bottom edges are set
-
Tops remain pale (don’t let them brown!)
Pale = soft, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
10. Snowball Effect
While warm, dust lightly with powdered sugar.
Once cooled, dust a second time for that perfect “fresh snowfall” look.
And just like that… you have a tray full of Christmas magic.
❄️ Why These Cookies Work So Well During the Holidays
Snowball cookies already scream “winter,” but the addition of candy canes and cream cheese gives this version a festive upgrade worthy of any Christmas gathering.
Here’s why they’re extra special:
✔ They fit beautifully in holiday cookie boxes
Their snowy appearance brightens any arrangement.
✔ They pair perfectly with cozy winter drinks
Hot cocoa, peppermint lattes, chai, Christmas punch—you name it.
✔ They make excellent gifts
They stay soft for days and look professionally crafted.
✔ They offer a break from overly sweet desserts
Cream cheese brings balance and richness.
✔ They complement other festive recipes
Especially peppermint-forward treats like:
https://ilikerecipes.com/peppermint-white-chocolate-fudge-no-bake/
These cookies fill a unique spot in holiday baking—not too sweet, perfectly soft, and bursting with seasonal peppermint.
🎄 Baking Science: How Cream Cheese Creates Snowball Perfection
Cream cheese does more than add flavor—it transforms the entire cookie.
✔ Moisture retention
Cream cheese traps moisture, preventing dryness.
✔ Tender crumb
It interrupts gluten formation, creating soft, meltable texture.
✔ Slight tang
Adds depth and balance to sugar + peppermint.
✔ Smooth mouthfeel
The fat content makes each bite creamy and luxurious.
This is the same magic that boosts many beloved holiday treats like cheesecake bars and soft peppermint fudge squares.
❄️ Troubleshooting & Expert Tips
❌ Cookies spreading too much?
✔ Chill dough longer.
❌ Powdered sugar melting into cookies?
✔ Dust again after cooling.
❌ Candy canes melting too much?
✔ Use finely crushed pieces (not powder).
❌ Cookies dry?
✔ Bake shorter—these must stay pale.
❌ Want more peppermint flavor?
✔ Add ⅛ tsp peppermint extract.
🎁 Fun Variations for Holiday Creativity
⭐ Pink Snowball Cookies
Add a drop of red food coloring for a pastel candy cane look.
⭐ Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs
Dip half the cookie into white chocolate, then sprinkle crushed candy canes.
⭐ Marshmallow Snowballs
Press a mini marshmallow inside each dough ball before baking.
⭐ Almond Peppermint Snowballs
Add a few drops of almond extract for a nutty holiday twist.
🎄 Serving Ideas for Holiday Parties
These cookies shine on:
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Hot cocoa bars
-
Dessert boards
-
Holiday charcuterie tables
-
Christmas Eve dessert trays
-
Cookie exchange boxes
-
After-dinner December treats
For a festive pairing, serve them alongside your cozy savory dishes like the Creamy Chicken Alfredo Tater Tot Bake:
https://ilikerecipes.com/creamy-chicken-alfredo-tater-tot-bake/
It’s the perfect cozy-meal-then-sweet-cookie combination.
📦 Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
Counter
5–6 days, airtight container.
Refrigerator
10 days — stay soft thanks to the cream cheese.
Freezer
3 months — thaw and dust with fresh powdered sugar.
Make-ahead
Roll dough into balls and freeze; bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.
🎄 FAQ — People Also Ask (USA)
⭐ Why are my snowball cookies dry?
They were overbaked—snowball cookies must stay pale.
⭐ How do I keep powdered sugar from melting?
Dust twice: once warm, once fully cooled.
⭐ Can I use flavored candy canes?
Yes—peppermint, chocolate mint, cherry, or rainbow all work.
⭐ Can I skip chilling the dough?
You can, but cookies may flatten slightly.
⭐ Can I make these gluten-free?
Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free blend.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Candy Cane Snowball Cream Cheese Cookies capture everything we love about holiday baking—comfort, nostalgia, festivity, and a touch of whimsy. They’re soft, creamy, peppermint-studded, and beautifully dusted with sparkling “snow.” Simple enough for a cozy evening at home, yet stunning enough for even the most elegant Christmas dessert tables.
Whether added to a cookie box, enjoyed with hot cocoa, or shared with family and friends, these cookies spread holiday cheer with every bite.