This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our privacy policy.
Candy Cane Snowball Cookies are a must-add to your holiday cookie tray. Buttery sweet shortbread, peppermint and vanilla candy melts make for holiday flavor perfection.
This post is sponsored by Challenge Butter.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Cookie season, that is. Every excuse you could ever need to bake, eat, and share your favorite cookie recipes. This has long been my favorite time of year, because well, duh, baking! And girlfriend can get down on some cookies.
Especially cookies with the quintessential flavors of winter – buttery shortbread, bright peppermint, and smooth vanilla. Was there ever a trilogy of flavors that made you happier? I’m going to go ahead and guess no.
I love Snowball Cookies in general, but the addition of vanilla candy coating and peppermint makes these Candy Cane Snowball Cookies something special. There’s a little extra effort in melting the vanilla candy melts and topping them with crushed candy canes, but it is SO worth it.
Traditional Snowball Cookies feature pecans or walnuts and powdered sugar – a super simple flavor combination that people have loved for generations. You might think to skip walnuts here, because of the crunch from crushed candy canes, but I beg you not to do it. Walnuts add a warmth and depth of flavor to the shortbread that would be lacking otherwise.
This recipe makes a lot of small cookies – enough to eat and share in delicious homemade cookie boxes you can give to family and friends. Trust me, you’ll have goodies for everyone you love.
I made these cookies using my favorite butter, Challenge Butter. If you’ve never tried it, you most definitely should. It’s made with 100% real cream and nothing else – nothing artificial here! The cream comes from cows not treated with the Growth Hormone rbST. While the jury is still out on that whole situation, I prefer to err on the side of caution, especially where my daughter is concerned. So I’ll reach for that label every single time.
I can feel good about making recipes with Challenge Butter, and its quality can’t be beat. It’s the perfect butter for baking!
I’m pretty confident that these are your new favorite Christmas cookie. They certainly are at our house!
Happy holidays from mine to yours!
Candy Cane Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups 4 sticks Challenge Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar sifted
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups white vanilla candy melts
- ⅔ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat Challenge Butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until smooth and creamy.
- 3. Add in flour, walnuts and salt. Mixing until just combined.
- 4. Using a small cookie scoop (about 2 teaspoons), measure and roll dough into balls. Place dough balls onto prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- 5. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes – taking care not to over bake. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- 6. Once cookies are completely cool, melt candy melts according to package directions. Dip or spoon melted candy coating onto the tops of each cookie and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looking for More Peppermint Recipes?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Challenge Butter; however, the views and opinions expressed on My Baking Addiction are my own, and based upon my experiences with Challenge Butter. Thank you for supporting Challenge Butter and the brands that continue to make My Baking Addiction possible.
why no eggs?
This particular recipe just doesn’t require eggs. Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Jamie
Hey, if you do not like walnuts can you change them to pecans? And if so do you use the same amount?
Hi, Bella! You can absolutely try pecans. Just use the same amount as the walnuts. I hope you enjoy the cookies!
these are so cute and look absolutely delish :)
Thank you so much, Bella!
Can you freeze these? Do you have Christmas Cookies Recipes to do a head and freeze? Help
Hi, Martha! I think you could freeze these, but I would leave the candy coating for when you’re ready to serve them. I would recommend Peppermint Mocha Cookies and Orange Cranberry Cookies for freezing. In both cases, leave the glaze/garnish for after they’ve thawed. I hope you enjoy them!
I agree that the coating of vanilla and peppermint makes the cookies so charming and yummy! Great idea for the holidays.ย
Thanks so much, Eden!
These look so good, is there anyway I can make them without the nuts? Thanks!
Hi Naomi,
You can simply omit the nuts or replace them with sunflower seeds, if you like.
– Jamie
These sounds incredible – just what I’m craving right now!
Thanks so much, Annalise! Have a delicious day!
-Jamie
We don’t have Challenge Butter here in Canada, but I’m DEFINITELY making these before Christmas – super cute and sound yummy!
Do it, Natalie! They are so darn delish! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
-Jamie
Jamie! Omg seriously girl you are so talented. I am a huge admirer from Australia…and I ply hope to one day be fortunate and blessed enough to meet you in person somewhere on this planet. Your posts make my day; your talent makes me smile…please don’t ever doubt yourself. You’re amazing. Xx Thank you for brightening my day
Thanks so much, Karina! I really appreciate your kind words! Have a great day!
-Jamie
So cute! I just love candy canes, so these cookies sound great :)