Peppermint Bark Snowballs

You know, I absolutely love making holiday treats, and I’ve got to tell you something—I discovered this amazing recipe for peppermint bark snowballs that’s totally made my Christmas baking so much better. These cookies are like, seriously the most festive and delicious thing I’ve ever made in my kitchen. They’re soft, they’re minty, and they’re covered in white powdered sugar that makes them look just like little snowballs.

So here’s the thing—I used to think that fancy holiday cookies were way too hard for me to make at home. But then I tried making peppermint bark snowballs, and honestly, it was really easy and so much fun. I realized that, like, anyone can make them, even if you think holiday baking is complicated like I used to.

I mean, when I pulled these out of the oven and rolled them in powdered sugar, they looked so, um, pretty and perfect sitting on my cooling rack. These cookies are basically like little bites of the holiday season, you know? They’re perfect for gift giving, or honestly, anytime you want a treat that tastes minty and delicious during the winter months.

So, like, I really think you should try making these peppermint bark snowballs for yourself. I’m gonna share exactly how I make them, step by step. Trust me, you’re totally gonna love them as much as I do!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Reader Favorite: Friends and family will ask you to make these year after year. One reviewer shared, “These taste like winter in a bite.”

No-Bake Simplicity: No oven required, just mixing, rolling, and chilling in the refrigerator.

Festive and Beautiful: The white chocolate coating and crushed candy cane topping make these stunning on a dessert platter.

Customizable: Adjust the peppermint intensity to your preference with extract and crushed candy pieces.

Perfect for Gift-Giving: Package them in festive boxes for homemade holiday presents that feel luxurious and thoughtful.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time: Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 30 minutes Total Time: About 50 minutes

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 24 snowballs, perfect for sharing with family or enjoying throughout the holiday season.

Difficulty: Easy enough for beginners, yet impressive enough for experienced bakers. No special skills required.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Medium mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Shallow dishes for coating (two bowls work well)
• Fork or dipping tool
• Refrigerator

Ingredients for Peppermint Bark Snowballs

Here’s everything you’ll need to create these festive treats (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Crushed Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: About 1 cup of finely crushed chocolate cookies (such as Oreos) provide the rich, cookie base for the filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Use 2 cups for sweetness and structure. This helps bind all ingredients together.
• Cream Cheese: One 8-ounce package (softened to room temperature) creates the creamy, smooth center that holds these snowballs together.
• Peppermint Extract: Half a teaspoon brings authentic holiday peppermint flavor without overpowering the treat.
• White Chocolate Chips: About 1.5 cups for the outer coating that gives these their signature “snowball” appearance.
• Crushed Peppermint Candies: Half a cup of finely crushed hard peppermint candies add festive texture and flavor.
• Crushed Candy Canes: Quarter cup of crushed candy canes for the final garnish, adding visual appeal and extra peppermint crunch.

Why These Ingredients Work Together

The cream cheese and powdered sugar combination creates a fudgy, truffle-like center that melts on your tongue. Crushed chocolate cookies add depth and prevent the filling from being too sweet. Peppermint extract infuses the entire snowball with that beloved holiday mint flavor, while the white chocolate coating provides contrast and a luxurious finish. The candy cane and peppermint candy toppings add both visual appeal and textural interest.

Variations for Peppermint Bark Snowballs

Add Dark Chocolate: Melt dark chocolate and create a two-tone coating by dipping half the snowball in white chocolate and half in dark chocolate.

Increase Peppermint Intensity: Use three-quarters teaspoon of peppermint extract for a more pronounced mint flavor, or add crushed candies directly into the filling.

Mix in White Chocolate: Fold white chocolate chips into the filling mixture for extra sweetness and texture.

Try Different Coatings: Use milk chocolate or even dark chocolate for the outer coating instead of white chocolate.

Add Sprinkles: Use festive holiday sprinkles or red and white nonpareils instead of crushed candy canes.

Create Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the finished snowballs for extra elegance.

How to Make Peppermint Bark Snowballs: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies. Using an electric hand mixer, beat until smooth and well combined. The mixture should resemble thick cookie dough and hold together when squeezed.

2. Roll the Centers

Using a small cookie scoop or your hands (lightly dampened to prevent sticking), form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place each ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You should create about 24 snowballs. Once all are formed, refrigerate for 15 minutes until slightly firm.

3. Melt the White Chocolate

In a shallow microwave-safe dish, melt white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until completely smooth. This usually takes about 1 to 1.5 minutes total. Be careful not to overheat, as white chocolate can seize if too hot.

4. Prepare Toppings

In separate shallow dishes, place crushed peppermint candies in one and crushed candy canes in another. This allows you to coat some snowballs with each variety or mix them together.

5. Dip and Coat

Using a fork or small dipping tool, carefully place one chilled snowball into the melted white chocolate, coating all sides. Lift it out and let excess chocolate drip away. Immediately place the coated snowball onto a clean parchment-lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with either crushed peppermint candies or candy canes, or a mixture of both.

6. Final Chill

Refrigerate the coated snowballs for at least 15 minutes until the white chocolate coating has completely set and hardened.

7. Enjoy and Store

Once set, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Snowballs

These festive treats are perfect for many occasions:

Holiday Parties: Arrange on a platter with other holiday treats for an impressive dessert spread.

Gift Boxes: Layer with tissue paper in festive boxes for beautiful homemade gifts.

Dessert Platters: Serve alongside cookies, fudge, and other holiday confections.

After-Dinner Treats: Offer as a sweet finale to a holiday meal.

Snack Time: Enjoy one or two as a special treat with hot chocolate or coffee.

Event Favors: Give as party favors at holiday gatherings or winter weddings.

Storing Peppermint Bark Snowballs

Refrigerator Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The cool temperature preserves the white chocolate coating and prevents the filling from softening.

Freezer Storage: For longer storage, place snowballs in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep for up to one month in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

Room Temperature: These are best kept cool, as the filling can become soft at room temperature. If you must leave them out, consume within 2 hours and keep them away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Soften Cream Cheese Properly: Leave cream cheese at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing. Cold cream cheese creates lumps and makes mixing difficult.

Don’t Overheat White Chocolate: White chocolate is more temperamental than regular chocolate. Melt it slowly in short intervals to prevent burning or seizing.

Keep Filling Cold: Chilled filling balls are easier to dip and result in cleaner, more even coatings.

Work Quickly: Once you dip a snowball, work quickly to add toppings before the chocolate sets.

Use Parchment Paper: This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Crush Candies Finely: Finely crushed candy pieces distribute more evenly and look more professional than large chunks.

Temperature Control: Keep your kitchen cool while working with chocolate, as heat will soften the coating.

Nutrition Information

Per Snowball	Amount
Calories	145
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	5g
Cholesterol	12mg
Sodium	95mg
Total Carbohydrates	18g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars	16g
Protein	1g

Note: Nutrition information is an estimate based on standard ingredients and serving size of approximately 24 snowballs.

Peppermint Bark Snowballs FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, these are perfect for advance preparation. Make them up to two weeks ahead and store in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to one month. Simply thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

What if my white chocolate won’t melt smoothly? White chocolate can be finicky. Melt it in short 20-30 second intervals and stir gently. If it starts to seize (become grainy), add a small amount of coconut oil or vegetable oil and stir gently until smooth.

Can I use dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate? Absolutely. Dark chocolate and milk chocolate both work beautifully and offer different flavor profiles. The appearance will simply be different from the traditional “snowball” look.

How do I prevent the filling from being too sweet? Reduce the powdered sugar to 1.75 cups if you prefer less sweetness. You can also increase the crushed cookies to about 1.5 cups for a more cookie-forward flavor.

Is peppermint extract necessary? Peppermint extract intensifies the peppermint flavor, but it’s not absolutely necessary. The crushed candies provide plenty of peppermint taste on their own. If you skip the extract, the flavor will be slightly more subtle.

Why did my snowballs become soft? These treats are best kept cold. Warm temperatures soften the chocolate and filling. Always store in the refrigerator and serve soon after removing from cold storage.

Can I use fresh peppermint instead of extract? Fresh peppermint leaves won’t work as well as extract. The flavor profile is quite different, and fresh mint doesn’t provide the concentrated peppermint taste these snowballs need.

Conclusion

Peppermint Bark Snowballs are the ultimate no-bake holiday treat that combines simplicity with impressive results. Using crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, powdered sugar, cream cheese, peppermint extract, white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, and crushed candy canes, these festive snowballs deliver authentic holiday flavor in every bite. Whether you’re making them for a party, giving them as gifts, or simply enjoying them as a special seasonal treat, this recipe never disappoints.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility and ease. You control the peppermint intensity, you can experiment with different chocolate coatings, and you can prepare them well in advance. These snowballs prove that incredible desserts don’t require hours in the kitchen or complicated techniques.

Make a batch this holiday season and watch as family and friends request them year after year. Their elegant appearance belies their simple preparation, making them feel like a luxurious homemade gift that took far more effort than it actually did.