In This Recipe
Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies
Have you ever wanted to capture the bittersweet charm of a melting snowman in a delicious, edible form? These adorable snowman cookies bring winter whimsy to your dessert plate! Perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun weekend baking activity with kids, these melted snowman sugar cookies combine simplicity with irresistible charm. Unlike perfectly shaped traditional snowman cookies, these treats celebrate the imperfect beauty of a snowman caught in a sunny winter day’s warmth—complete with fondant scarves, pretzel arms, and chocolate button details.
PrintMelted Snowman Sugar Cookies: A Whimsical Winter Treat
Soft sugar cookies topped with playful melted marshmallow snowmen for a fun and festive winter treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
12 large marshmallows
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
Assorted sprinkles or mini chocolate chips for faces
Orange sprinkles or fondant for noses
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
5. Roll dough into balls, place on the baking sheet, and flatten slightly.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden; cool on a rack.
7. Place one marshmallow on each cookie and microwave for 8–10 seconds until slightly melted.
8. Stir powdered sugar and milk into a glaze and drizzle around each marshmallow to create a “melted” look.
9. Decorate the snowman faces with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and orange noses.
10. Allow cookies to set before serving.
Notes
For cleaner decorations, use edible markers to draw snowman faces.
Chill the dough for 20 minutes if it feels too soft to shape.
Ingredients List
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6-7 tablespoons warm water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (clear, if available)
For Decorating:
- Large marshmallows (one per cookie)
- Orange fondant or candy melts (for carrot noses)
- Mini chocolate chips or black icing (for eyes and mouth)
- Pretzel sticks (broken in half for arms)
- Various colored fondant or fruit roll-ups (for scarves)
- Mini M&Ms or chocolate candies (for buttons)
Substitution Tips: For a quick alternative, use pre-made sugar cookie dough. Dairy-free butter works well for lactose-intolerant bakers, and egg replacers can be used for vegan versions of these snowman-themed holiday treats.
Timing
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (includes cookie dough preparation)
- Decorating Time: 45 minutes (the fun part!)
- Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
This festive snowman cookie recipe actually saves about 20 minutes compared to traditional snowman-shaped Christmas cookies that require careful cutting and preserving the shape during baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients until just combined. Chill dough for 1 hour for easier handling.
Pro Tip: Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour—this keeps your cookies tender rather than tough!
Step 2: Bake the Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into 3-inch circles about ¼-inch thick. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just barely golden. Let cool completely before decorating your snowman-shaped cookies with faces.
Pro Tip: Slightly underbake for softer cookies that mimic melting snow!
Step 3: Prepare Royal Icing
Beat powdered sugar, meringue powder, water, and vanilla until stiff peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). Add more water, a teaspoon at a time, if needed for proper consistency. Transfer to a piping bag.
Pro Tip: Royal icing dries quickly! Keep a damp towel over the bowl when not using it.
Step 4: Assemble Your Melted Snowmen
Pipe a puddle of white icing onto each cookie for the “melted snow.” Place a marshmallow at one edge of the puddle as the snowman’s head. Add eyes, carrot nose, and a mouth with chocolate chips or black icing. Stick pretzel arms into the sides of the marshmallow, add a tiny fondant scarf, and place candy buttons down the “body.”
Pro Tip: For easy Oreo snowman cookies variation, use Oreos as the base instead of sugar cookies!
Nutritional Information
Per Cookie (approximate):
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 28g
Healthier Alternatives
- Reduce sugar to 1 cup in the cookie dough
- Use whole wheat pastry flour for half the all-purpose flour
- Create snowman marshmallow cookies with a graham cracker base instead of sugar cookies
- For gluten-free options, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Use natural food coloring for decorations
Serving Suggestions
Arrange these festive snowman treats on a holiday table with a dusting of powdered sugar to simulate fallen snow. Serve alongside hot chocolate with peppermint stirrers for an enchanting winter dessert experience. For a complete dessert spread, pair with cranberry cookies and gingerbread to create a diverse holiday cookie platter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the decorating process: Allow cookies to cool completely before applying icing to prevent melting (beyond what’s intentional!).
- Overcrowding the baking sheet: Leave 2 inches between cookies as they spread during baking.
- Using cold marshmallows: Room temperature marshmallows adhere better to icing.
- Applying decorations too late: Add all embellishments while icing is still wet for proper adhesion.
Storing Tips
Store your easy melted snowman cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to protect decorations. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. These make excellent make-ahead treats for busy holiday seasons!
Conclusion
These whimsical melted snowman cookies capture winter’s playful spirit while delivering delicious flavor. They’re perfect for creating memorable baking moments with loved ones and guaranteed to be the highlight of any holiday gathering. Give them a try this season and watch faces light up with delight! What melting snowman personality will you create?
FAQs
Can I make these snowman cookies ahead of time for a party?
Yes! Bake cookies up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container. Decorate 1-2 days before serving for freshest appearance.
How can I prevent my royal icing from hardening in the bowl?
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth when not in use, and transfer to piping bags only when ready to use.
Are there any quick alternatives to these Foodstirs snowman cookies?
For a time-saving version, use store-bought sugar cookies and pre-made icing from the baking aisle.
Can children help make these cookies?
Absolutely! Kids especially enjoy the decorating phase. Prepare the cookies and icing, then let them create their own melted snowman personalities.