Welcome to a world where building snowmen doesn’t require chilly weather or even real snow! Get ready to infuse your kitchen with holiday cheer and the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies. These charming Snowman Sugar Cookies are designed for maximum fun and minimal fuss, making them the perfect winter activity for families and a heartwarming treat for any festive gathering. Forget the rolling pins and cookie cutters – we’re simplifying the process so you can focus on the joy of creating edible masterpieces with your loved ones.
There’s something truly magical about bringing a snowman to life, whether it’s through packing snow outside or, in our case, by crafting adorable confections in the warmth of your home. Imagine a cozy afternoon, holiday tunes playing softly, and the comforting scent of baking cookies filling the air. That’s the scene these delightful Snowman Sugar Cookies help create. They’re not just a dessert; they’re an experience, a memory in the making, and a testament to the simple joys of the season.
For those of us who live in regions where snow is a rare occurrence – like my home in Dallas, where a decent snowfall is a cause for celebration – these cookies offer a fantastic, sweet alternative. Instead of bundling up against the cold, you can gather your little helpers in the kitchen for a creative session of cookie shaping and candy decorating. We embrace the spirit of winter fun, transforming simple sugar cookie dough and an assortment of colorful candies into a cheerful army of edible snowmen.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its incredible simplicity. No need for special equipment or advanced baking skills. You won’t be reaching for a rolling pin or searching for a snowman-shaped cookie cutter. The ingenious method involves shaping the dough into three distinct balls of varying sizes – a large one for the base, a medium one for the torso, and a smaller one for the head – and arranging them next to each other on the baking sheet. A gentle press from your palm then merges them into the iconic snowman silhouette, ready for baking. It’s a technique that’s as fun as it is effective, perfect for tiny hands eager to participate.
Once baked to a perfect golden brown, these tender sugar cookies emerge from the oven, already looking like charming, puffed-up snowmen. The real magic begins with the decoration. This is where you can unleash your creativity! A simple touch of white decorating icing acts as the “glue” for a delightful array of candies. From mini Oreos and Rolos forming jaunty hats to vibrant M&M’s for eyes, noses, and buttons, and even stretchy Twizzlers for cozy scarves – the possibilities are endless. Each snowman becomes a unique character, reflecting the imagination of its creator. This hands-on decorating process is often the favorite part for kids, allowing them to personalize their sweet treats.
Whether you’re planning a cozy winter afternoon indoors, looking for an engaging activity to keep the kids entertained, or searching for the perfect homemade treat to bring to a holiday potluck or school party, these easy snowman cookies are an absolute winner. They consistently bring smiles to faces, both young and old, and are guaranteed to be a hit. The delightful flavor of a classic sugar cookie combined with the whimsical charm of a snowman makes them irresistible. They’re also fantastic for packaging as thoughtful, edible gifts for neighbors, teachers, and friends, spreading a little extra joy during the festive season.
So, embrace the yumminess of the season and gather your ingredients! This recipe is more than just baking; it’s about creating lasting memories and enjoying the simple pleasures of the holidays. Get ready to bake, decorate, and savor every delightful bite of these irresistible Snowman Sugar Cookies!
xoxo,
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Description
Crafting these adorable snowman sugar cookies is an absolute breeze, requiring no rolling or cutting, which makes them a perfect winter baking project for families. This festive treat combines a wonderfully soft, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie base with a vibrant array of candies to create whimsical snowman characters. Each cookie is shaped by hand into three distinct balls, gently pressed together before baking, resulting in perfectly puffy, round snowmen ready for their candy adornments. They’re a fantastic activity for a cold winter day, a delightful addition to any holiday party spread, or a charming homemade gift. Get ready to sprinkle some cheer and savor the sweet joy of the season with these easy-to-make, utterly charming snowman cookies!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature for smooth creaming
- 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar, for a fine texture
- 1 large egg, to bind the dough and add richness
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, for that classic comforting flavor
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, measured correctly to prevent dense cookies
- 1 teaspoon baking soda, a leavening agent for a soft rise
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, essential for creating that signature soft, chewy sugar cookie texture
- Oreos Minis (for the base of the hat), ideally the cream-filled side for a stable base
- Rolos candies (for the top of the hat), for a shiny, chocolatey topper
- Pull-apart Twizzlers (for scarf), use individual strands for flexible shaping
- Orange M&M’s (for nose), classic choice for a carrot nose
- Mini brown M&M’s (for eyes and mouth), for adorable, expressive faces
- Mini red and green M&M’s (for buttons), to add a pop of festive color down the snowman’s front
- White decorating icing, a small tube with a fine tip works best for “gluing” the candies securely
Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze. Set them aside while you prepare your dough.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In the large bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth, typically about 2-3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Add the large egg and vanilla extract, then beat on high speed for another 1-2 minutes until everything is thoroughly combined and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Whisking ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for the cookies’ texture.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the butter mixture in the mixer. Begin by beating on low speed until just combined and a crumbly dough starts to form. Increase the speed to medium and continue beating until a thick, cohesive cookie dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be soft but manageable.
- Shape the Snowmen: This is the fun part! Using measuring spoons or three different sized cookie scoops (e.g., a 2-tablespoon scoop for the bottom, 1-tablespoon for the middle, and 1-teaspoon for the head), scoop the dough into three balls. Place them right next to each other on the prepared baking sheet in a snowman shape – largest on the bottom, medium in the middle, and smallest for the head. With the palm of your hand, gently press down on all three balls of dough simultaneously to flatten them slightly and merge them into a unified snowman shape. Repeat this process with the remaining dough, placing each snowman a few inches apart on the baking sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the snowman cookies for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and start to show tiny cracks, but they should not brown significantly. The cookies should still look pale. Overbaking will make them dry. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They firm up as they cool.
- Assemble the Hats: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the hats. Carefully separate the mini Oreo cookies, discarding one side. Use the cream-filled side as the base of the hat. Take a Rolo candy and, using a tiny dot of white decorating icing, attach the flat bottom of the Rolo to the cream-filled side of the mini Oreo. Set these adorable hats aside to allow the icing to set.
- Decorate the Faces: Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to bring your snowmen to life! Using small dots of white icing, arrange the mini brown M&M’s for the eyes and mouth. For the nose, use an orange M&M. Get creative with different expressions!
- Add the Scarves: Take two individual strands of the pull-apart Twizzlers. Gently wrap them around the “neck” of the cookie, where the top and middle cookie sections meet, to create a festive scarf. You can tie a loose knot or simply cross the ends for a stylish look.
- Attach the Hat and Buttons: Secure the prepared hat onto the top of the snowman’s head with another small dab of white icing. Finally, alternate mini red and green M&M’s down the middle of the snowman’s body, attaching each with a tiny dot of icing to create colorful buttons. Allow all the icing to set completely, ensuring all the candies are firmly attached. Once set, your delightful Snowman Sugar Cookies are ready to be enjoyed!