Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are everything you love about classic snowball treats, with a peanut butter twist and creamy chocolate chips tucked into every buttery bite. These soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies roll in snowy layers of powdered sugar, delivering the ultimate combination of sweet, salty, tender, and rich. They’re a dreamy addition to any cookie platter, and instantly adored at holiday gatherings, bake sales, or whenever a little extra comfort is needed. Trust me, this is the cookie you’ll want to make over and over again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies is that their dough comes together with just a few staple pantry ingredients. Each one is thoughtfully chosen: some bring tenderness, some supply that crave-worthy nuttiness, and a couple add irresistible chocolatey magic. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The creamy backbone that gives these cookies their delicate, tender crumb.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (½ cup): For a nutty richness that marries perfectly with chocolate chips.
- Powdered Sugar (½ cup, plus more for coating): Adds soft, subtle sweetness and helps create that signature snowy exterior.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Just a splash deepens the overall flavor, making every bite warm and inviting.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 ¼ cups): Provides the structure so each snowball keeps its round, delightful shape.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and brightens the peanut butter flavor.
- Mini Chocolate Chips (¾ cup): Scattered throughout, these offer surprise pockets of melty joy in every cookie.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This little bit of advance setup makes your baking smoother and helps prevent sticking, so your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies slide off the pan as perfect, sweet rounds.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and ½ cup powdered sugar. You’re looking for a mixture that’s smooth, pale, and blissfully fluffy—this is the secret to the cookies’ melt-in-the-mouth texture!
Step 3: Add Vanilla
Once your base is smooth and creamy, mix in the vanilla extract. It may seem like a tiny detail, but that hint of vanilla warms up the whole batch beautifully.
Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to your wet mix. Take it slow, so you don’t overwork the dough. Stop mixing once everything just comes together, which keeps the cookies ultra-tender.
Step 5: Fold in Mini Chocolate Chips
Pour in the mini chocolate chips and fold them gently into the dough. Each ball should be generously studded with chocolate chips—every bite of your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies deserves a little chocolate!
Step 6: Roll and Shape
Scoop out tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll into balls using your hands. Arrange them about one inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. They won’t spread much, so pack the pan if you need to!
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms just start to look golden. Don’t over-bake—these cookies are meant to stay light in color and super tender.
Step 8: Sugar-Coat for a Snowy Finish
Let the cookies rest for about five minutes, then roll them while still warm in powdered sugar for that classic snowball touch. After they cool completely, roll them in powdered sugar a second time to ensure a picture-perfect snowy coating.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
Garnishes
For a festive finish, try dusting your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving. A light drizzle of melted chocolate or a few chopped peanuts can add even more wow to your platter and invite guests to nibble just one more.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cozy mug of hot cocoa, a chilled glass of milk, or even a creamy espresso. Their rich, nutty notes also make them fabulous alongside a simple fruit salad or bowl of fresh berries, balancing every bite with a touch of tartness.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies in a tall, clear glass jar tied with a ribbon for a memorable homemade gift. Or serve them in decorative paper cups at holiday parties—they look positively magical on dessert boards nestled among other treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay perfectly tender and delicious for up to a week—if you can keep them around that long!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. For best results, freeze the dough balls before baking; just shape, place on a tray, and once frozen, store in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. You can also freeze baked cookies; just wait until they’ve cooled and been rolled in sugar. Let them thaw, then give them an extra snowy roll before serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies warm, heat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings back that just-baked softness—don’t forget to roll them again in a little powdered sugar if desired!
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a little extra texture to the cookies, which many people find delightful. Just swap it in for a fun twist—your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies will have a pleasant, nutty crunch in every mouthful.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Not necessarily, but chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help the cookies hold their round shape and makes scooping even easier. If you’re short on time, you can go straight to baking and still achieve beautiful snowballs.
Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour and check that your chocolate chips are certified gluten-free. The cookies may be a touch more delicate but just as delicious.
Why roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?
The first roll coats the cookies while warm, creating a sticky surface for the sugar to adhere to, while the second roll (after they cool) provides that magical, thick snowy layer everyone loves in Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies.
Can I make them vegan?
Definitely. Use a plant-based butter substitute and a dairy-free chocolate chip brand. You can also find specialty powdered sugars made without bone char. The result is every bit as soft, sweet, and satisfying!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cookie that makes every occasion feel a bit more special, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are seriously irresistible. Their perfect balance of peanut butter, chocolate, and buttery sweetness turns simple ingredients into something unforgettable. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and share them with your loved ones—just be ready for requests for the recipe!
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies. A perfect blend of creamy peanut butter, sweet chocolate chips, and a snowy coating of powdered sugar make these cookies a festive treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and salt until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Form Dough Balls: Roll tablespoon-sized amounts of dough into balls and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 12–14 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Coat Cookies: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Once cooled, coat them again for a snowy finish.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezing dough balls before baking helps maintain shape.
- Crunchy peanut butter can add extra texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
