Name: Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Challenge Unsalted Butter (226g), softened; ½ cup (57g) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon ground allspice; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; 1 tablespoon molasses; 2 ¼ cups (279g) all purpose flour; Powdered sugar for rolling

There’s something utterly magical about biting into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that feels like a cozy hug. This Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe brings together warm spices and a tender crumb, making it an absolute favorite around the holidays (or really, anytime you want a little joy in your day).

There are twelve dough balls evenly spaced on a dark baking tray. Each dough ball is light brown with small darker specks, smooth and round in shape, sitting alone with some small crumbs scattered around. The surface under the tray has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these gingerbread snowballs. The smell of molasses and spices filling my kitchen instantly took me back to childhood holiday memories. What makes this recipe so special is how effortlessly it transforms simple ingredients into little bite-sized delights.

Perfect Texture: These snowballs are tender and crumbly, yet hold their shape beautifully without being dry or heavy.
Mouthwatering Spice Blend: The cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves combine for a warm, festive flavor that never fails to please.
Easy to Make: Even if baking isn’t your daily jam, this dough comes together reliably, and the steps are straightforward.
Great for Gifting: These prettily powdered cookies are perfect for sharing with friends, neighbors, or keeping all to yourself (no judgment here!).

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right ingredients is key to making these Gingerbread Snowballs just right. The combination of softened butter, warm spices, and rich molasses creates that classic gingerbread taste with a soft, crumbly texture that’s simply addictive.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white bowl with dark molasses, a few whole brown cinnamon sticks, a small white bowl containing ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl holding ground allspice, a small white bowl with ground cloves, a few vanilla beans, a small white bowl with salt crystals, a heap of all-purpose flour loosely piled on a white ceramic plate, whole uncracked brown eggs arranged neatly beside the flour, all ingredients fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Unsalted and softened for easy mixing, butter gives the cookies richness and tenderness.
Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor complexity and balances the spices perfectly.
Salt: Just a pinch to bring out all the flavors without overwhelming the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves: These warm spices are the heart of the gingerbread flavor and should be measured carefully for balance.
Molasses: Adds that deep, rich sweetness and moistness that makes gingerbread so special.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookies, ensuring they keep their snowball shape.
Powdered sugar (for rolling): Coats the cookies after baking, giving the name “snowballs” and a sweet, snowy finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I adore this Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe is how well it welcomes your own creative touch. Whether you want to amp up the spices or make it kid-friendly, there’s room to play!

Variation: I love adding a pinch more ginger when I want a bit more zing, or sometimes I swap molasses for dark honey for a subtle difference in sweetness and flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

A round open tin with a dark blue and green plaid pattern and white floral decorations is filled with three layers of round cookies, each covered in white powdered sugar with small red and green sprinkles on top. The cookies are stacked loosely with some overlapping and resting on a white parchment paper lining inside the tin. The tin is placed on a smooth white marbled surface, surrounded by white sheer ribbon with stripes and shiny silver ornaments. In the background, the tin’s lid is propped up showing the same patterned design, and soft white fabric adds a delicate touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper — this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your snowballs from sticking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter for about 20 seconds until it’s fluffy. Then add the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and molasses. Mix these together until you get a smooth, even mixture — it smells amazing at this point!

Step 3: Incorporate the Flour

Slowly mix in the all-purpose flour. It might look crumbly at first; don’t worry, keep mixing. I learned that patience here pays off — after a couple of minutes, the dough will start to hold together perfectly, just like it should for gingerbread snowballs.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and place each ball onto your prepared cookie sheets. I use a cookie scoop; it helps keep them uniform and saves time.

Step 5: Bake and Roll in Sugar

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms show a light golden brown. Let them cool just enough to handle—about a minute—and then roll each one in powdered sugar. Once fully cooled on a rack, I like to roll them in sugar again for that perfect snowy coating.

Top Tip

From my experience, mastering the dough texture is the cornerstone of success — too crumbly and the cookies won't hold; too sticky and they spread too much. Here's what I've learned that consistently gets it right:

Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter blends much easier than cold, preventing lumps in your dough.
Mix Flour Slowly: Adding flour gradually and mixing patiently helps the dough come together without becoming tough.
Don’t Overbake: Bake just until the bottoms are slightly brown. Overbaking dries these cookies out, and trust me, the soft crumb is what makes them magical.
Double Roll in Powdered Sugar: Rolling once is good, but re-rolling once cookies cool gives that authentic, snowy finish and extra sweetness.

How to Serve Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe

gingerbread snowballs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with an extra dusting of powdered sugar for that signature snowball look. Sometimes, I sprinkle a tiny bit of finely chopped crystallized ginger on top for a fun texture and an extra kick.

Side Dishes

Pairing these with a hot cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or even a rich hot cocoa turns a casual snack into a cozy moment. Occasionally, I serve them alongside a creamy vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

At gatherings, I love arranging Gingerbread Snowballs towers on tiered plates or nestled in festive tins layered with parchment paper and sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine needles for that holiday vibe. They double as charming gifts, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper between to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and tender for about a week—enough time to savor them all slowly (or not!).

Freezing

I’ve frozen the dough itself and the baked cookies with great results. For the dough, portion it first, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool fully, then freeze in a single layer on a tray before bagging.

Reheating

Leftover or thawed baked cookies taste best warmed slightly — 10 seconds in the microwave brings back that fresh-from-the-oven softness. Avoid overheating or they’ll dry out, so just a gentle warm-up does the trick.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Gingerbread Snowballs Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! I’ve successfully substituted the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend 1:1. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or similar to help bind the dough.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Bake until the bottoms are just turning a light golden brown, usually around 10-12 minutes. The tops will still look soft but they’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect tender texture.

Can I substitute molasses with something else?

Yes, you can substitute molasses with dark corn syrup, honey, or maple syrup, but note that molasses has a distinct rich flavor that's hard to replicate exactly. Using these substitutes will slightly change the flavor profile.

Do I have to roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice?

Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice isn’t mandatory, but it adds to the authentic snowball look and gives an extra coat of sweetness. I highly recommend it if you want that classic finish.

Final Thoughts

These Gingerbread Snowballs are more than just cookies to me; they’re a little piece of holiday warmth and joy you can bake any day of the year. Once you try this recipe, I bet you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, sharing it with everyone you love. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and fill your kitchen with that irresistible gingerbread aroma—you won’t be disappointed!