Winter is the perfect time to indulge in festive treats that warm the heart and bring a little sparkle to your holiday celebrations. One of the most enchanting seasonal delights is the Starbucks Snowman Cookie, a charming sugar cookie that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
With its soft, buttery texture and festive icing decorations, this cookie captures the magic of the season in every bite. Whether you’re planning a holiday party, looking for a fun baking activity with the kids, or simply craving a sweet treat with your hot cocoa, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to recreate the iconic Starbucks Snowman Cookie right in your own kitchen. From mixing the perfect dough to decorating your snowmen with colorful icing, you’ll find everything you need to bake these adorable and delicious cookies.
Plus, I’ve included tips on variations and serving suggestions to make your baking experience even more enjoyable. So, grab your apron, and let’s get started on making these festive favorites!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe for Starbucks Snowman Cookies is a wonderful blend of simplicity and festive charm. The cookies are soft and chewy, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness.
What makes these cookies stand out is the delightful snowman decoration made with buttercream icing, which adds a creamy texture and a pop of color.
Another reason to love this recipe is its versatility. You can customize the decorations to match your holiday theme, making it a fun activity for all ages.
Plus, the ingredients are common pantry staples, so you won’t need any special trips to the store. Whether you want to gift these cookies or enjoy them yourself, they’re guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
For more festive baking inspiration, be sure to check out our Best Vegan Christmas Cake Recipes for Festive Baking or try a cozy Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food to complement your treats.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
- For the buttercream icing:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-4 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- Food coloring (white, black, orange, red, green, and blue)
- Mini chocolate chips or edible markers for eyes and buttons
- Orange jelly beans or orange icing for the snowman’s nose
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Snowman-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
- Piping bags and assorted piping tips for decorating
- Food-safe brushes (optional, for detailed decorations)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling.
- Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use your snowman cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the buttercream icing: Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring as desired for snowman details: white for the body, black for eyes and buttons, orange for the nose, and red or green for scarves and hats.
- Using piping bags, decorate each cooled cookie to resemble a jolly snowman. Start with a base layer of white icing, then add eyes, buttons, a carrot nose, and festive accessories.
- Allow the icing to set before serving or storing your cookies in an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
“For perfectly smooth icing, make sure your butter is at room temperature and sift your powdered sugar thoroughly.”
- Make it vegan: Substitute butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil and use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) instead of a chicken egg.
- Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You may need to add a bit more milk to adjust the dough consistency.
- Decorate with sprinkles: Add festive sprinkles or edible glitter for extra holiday sparkle.
- Flavor twist: Add a teaspoon of almond or peppermint extract to the cookie dough for a seasonal flavor boost.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Cookie (approx.) |
---|---|
Calories | 150 kcal |
Total Fat | 7 g |
Saturated Fat | 4 g |
Cholesterol | 20 mg |
Sodium | 80 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 20 g |
Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g |
Sugars | 12 g |
Protein | 1.5 g |
Serving Suggestions
These Starbucks Snowman Cookies are perfect served alongside a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or your favorite holiday tea. They also make delightful gifts when wrapped in cellophane with a festive ribbon.
For a fun party idea, set up a cookie decorating station where guests can personalize their own snowmen with different colored icings and toppings.
If you love festive baking, you might enjoy these other treat ideas: check out our Christmas Balls Recipe Vegan: Easy & Delicious Holiday Treats or warm up with a comforting Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food.
Conclusion
Making Starbucks Snowman Cookies at home is a joyful way to bring the magic of the holidays into your kitchen. This recipe combines classic sugar cookie goodness with adorable, festive decorations that are sure to impress family and friends.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gift-giving, or simply treating yourself, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and softness with charming snowman details.
With easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, this recipe is accessible even for beginner bakers. Plus, the decorating step provides a creative outlet that makes baking even more fun.
Don’t forget to explore other delicious recipes on our site to complement your holiday treats, such as the Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide or the fresh Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas.
Happy baking, and may your holidays be filled with warmth, sweetness, and lots of delicious memories!
📖 Recipe Card: Starbucks Snowman Cookie
Description: A festive sugar cookie decorated to look like a cheerful snowman, perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, buttery, and topped with royal icing and colorful decorations.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT12M
Total Time: PT32M
Servings: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- Royal icing for decoration
- Black and orange food coloring
- Mini chocolate chips and colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extracts; mix well.
- Gradually add dry ingredients alternated with milk; mix until combined.
- Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out snowman shapes.
- Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool cookies completely on wire racks.
- Decorate with royal icing, using black for eyes/buttons and orange for nose.
- Add mini chocolate chips and sprinkles for extra detail.
- Allow icing to set before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 180 kcal | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 8 g | Carbs: 25 g
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