Name: Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Challenge Unsalted Butter (226 g), softened; ½ cup (57 g) 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 (279 g) all-purpose flour; Powdered sugar for rolling

There’s something so cozy about a cookie that melts in your mouth and carries the warm spices of the season. This Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe blends soft, buttery dough with classic gingerbread spices, dusted in powdered sugar to look like tiny winter snowballs—it's truly irresistible.

There are twelve dough balls evenly spaced on a dark baking tray. Each dough ball is light brown with small darker specks, smooth and round in shape, sitting alone with some small crumbs scattered around. The surface under the tray has a white marbled texture. 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 Snowballs Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m really excited to share this Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe with you because it’s one of those treats that’s easy enough for a weekday bake but festive enough to share with guests or gift. The warm spices and soft texture have become a favorite in my holiday lineup.

Classic Flavor with a Twist: The cookie tastes like traditional gingerbread, but the snowball shape and powdered sugar give it a lovely melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything on hand, and the dough comes together with basic pantry staples plus a touch of molasses for that authentic warmth.
Easy to Make: The dough might feel crumbly, but trust me, patience pays off, and this recipe is forgiving for even less experienced bakers.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are beautiful piled in a tin and make a charming edible gift to brighten someone's day.

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how this Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe uses classic holiday spices combined with butter and molasses for rich flavor. Each ingredient plays a role in creating that tender, spiced bite you’ll crave all season.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white bowl with dark molasses, a few whole brown cinnamon sticks, a small white bowl containing ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl holding ground allspice, a small white bowl with ground cloves, a few vanilla beans, a small white bowl with salt crystals, a heap of all-purpose flour loosely piled on a white ceramic plate, whole uncracked brown eggs arranged neatly beside the flour, all ingredients fresh and natural, 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

Challenge Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and a creamy texture, essential for that tender snowball feel.
Powdered Sugar: Used in both the dough and coating, it gives the cookies their signature sweetness and delicate dusting.
Vanilla: Just a splash lifts the spices and adds warmth to the flavor profile.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves: These spices create that magical gingerbread flavor—each one layered for depth.
Molasses: Adds moisture and that classic dark, slightly smoky sweetness unique to gingerbread.
All Purpose Flour: Offers structure while keeping the cookies tender.
Powdered Sugar for Rolling: The final snowball effect comes from rolling warm cookies in powdered sugar—the extra coating makes the cookie feel festive and extra special.

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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

One of the best things about this Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often play around with the spices based on what I have, and sometimes add a little orange zest for a fresh zing—you can make it your own!

Spice Variation: I sometimes add a pinch of cardamom or substitute ground cloves with star anise for a slightly different “holiday” twist. It adds a lovely complexity without overwhelming the original flavor.
Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free version, try swapping butter with a good-quality plant-based alternative; it changes the texture slightly but the flavor stays festive.
Sweetness Level: If you're watching sugar, reduce the powdered sugar a bit in the dough—but keep it for rolling to preserve that snowy look.

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

A round open tin with a dark blue and green plaid pattern and white floral decorations is filled with three layers of round cookies, each covered in white powdered sugar with small red and green sprinkles on top. The cookies are stacked loosely with some overlapping and resting on a white parchment paper lining inside the tin. The tin is placed on a smooth white marbled surface, surrounded by white sheer ribbon with stripes and shiny silver ornaments. In the background, the tin’s lid is propped up showing the same patterned design, and soft white fabric adds a delicate touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening your butter—not melted, just softened for perfect creaming. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until it’s fluffy, about 20 seconds. This is where the magic begins because fluffier butter means lighter cookies.

Step 2: Add Spices and Molasses

Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and molasses until the mixture is smooth. The molasses gives that gingerbread depth and richness—don't skip it! Your kitchen will start smelling amazing here.

Step 3: Incorporate the Flour

Gradually mix in flour. The dough may look crumbly at first, but keep mixing patiently. It takes a few minutes for everything to come together into a cohesive dough, so resist the urge to add more flour – this is normal!

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Scoop about 1 tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the sheet, giving space for spreading. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the bottoms turn a very light golden.

Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar

Let the cookies cool for about a minute until they're safe to handle but still warm, then roll them in powdered sugar. The warmth helps the sugar stick beautifully. Once fully cooled on a rack, I like to give them a second roll for that perfect snowy coat.

Top Tip

From personal experience, these tips make all the difference when baking Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe and ensure you end up with perfectly tender and flavorful cookies every time.

Patience with the Dough: The dough looks crumbly at first, but don’t give up—keep mixing and it will come together into a perfect consistency.
Don’t Overbake: These are best taken out when the bottoms are just lightly browned; you don’t want dry or crunchy cookies.
Roll Twice: Rolling warm cookies in powdered sugar, then again after cooling, gives the most beautiful and festive snowball finish.
Use Molasses: It makes a huge flavor difference—don’t substitute it with something else or you'll lose that classic gingerbread character.

How to Serve Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe

gingerbread snowballs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I serve these cookies, I keep it simple with extra powdered sugar sprinkled on top—sometimes a few whole cloves or cinnamon sticks on the platter for that cozy vibe. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of white chocolate adds a lovely contrast, but honestly, they’re perfect as is.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these Gingerbread Snowballs with a mug of hot cocoa or chai tea. Fresh fruit like orange slices or some roasted nuts complement the warm spices nicely without overpowering them.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like stacking these cookies in a tiered serving dish or wrapping a few in parchment tied with twine as little edible gifts. Presenting them alongside a bowl of spiced eggnog or mulled wine makes a festive statement that guests always appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Gingerbread Snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for about a week, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If freezing, I shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet first, then bag them. When ready, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes—this little trick keeps them fresh and convenient.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, I gently warm them in a low oven for a few minutes—it revives that just-baked softness without melting the powdered sugar coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark brown sugar instead of molasses?

Dark brown sugar can add some moisture and sweetness but won’t fully replicate the deep, rich flavor molasses gives, so I recommend sticking with molasses for this recipe to get that classic gingerbread taste.

Why does my dough stay crumbly and won’t stick together?

This is totally normal! Keep mixing the dough a little longer with an electric mixer. The butter and molasses eventually bind the flour and spices into a cohesive dough. Avoid adding extra flour, as that can make the cookies dry.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for baking. Just watch the dough consistency closely as gluten-free flour may absorb liquid differently, and the texture might be a bit different but still delicious.

How should I store these cookies to keep them soft?

Store Gingerbread Snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain softness longer as the bread keeps moisture in the air without making cookies soggy.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason I keep coming back to this Gingerbread Snowballs Cookies Recipe time after time. It’s the perfect blend of approachable baking, cozy holiday flavors, and that snowy sugar coat that just makes you feel warm inside. I hope you’ll try it soon and share these little bites of joy with the people you love—they truly bring a bit of magic to the season.