Grinchs Peppermint Snowballs
Deliciously festive peppermint snowball cookies with a Grinch-inspired green twist, perfect for spreading holiday cheer!
Ingredients
– For the Cookie Dough:
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/4 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
– 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup cornstarch
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup finely crushed peppermint candy or candy canes
– For Coating:
– 1/4 cup powdered sugar for rolling
– Green gel food coloring optional, for a Grinch-inspired color
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough:
– Preheat your oven to 350F 175C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
– In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
– Add the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and a few drops of green gel food coloring if using to the butter mixture. Mix until evenly combined.
– Gradually add the flour, cornstarch, and salt to the mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Stir in the crushed peppermint candy.
2. Shape the Snowballs:
– Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
– Flatten each cookie slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
3. Bake the Cookies:
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden.
– Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Coat with Powdered Sugar:
– Once the cookies have cooled, roll them in powdered sugar to coat them completely, creating the snowball effect.
Tips
– Extra Peppermint Flavor: If you want a stronger peppermint flavor, add a bit more crushed candy or a few extra drops of peppermint extract to the dough.
– Make Them Mini: For smaller bite-sized cookies, you can reduce the dough size to about 1 teaspoon per cookie and adjust baking time accordingly around 8-10 minutes.
– Chill Dough: If you find the dough too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes to firm it up before rolling.
– Store: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.
These Grinchs Peppermint Snowballs are perfect for adding a whimsical and minty twist to your holiday cookie tray!