Discover the Magic of Gluten-Free Peppermint Snowball Cookies
Embrace the festive season with these enchanting Gluten-Free Peppermint Snowball Cookies! Imagine buttery, crisp-yet-tender cookies infused with a cool peppermint essence, featuring delightful bits of crushed gluten-free candy canes, all generously rolled in a cloud of powdered sugar. They’re the perfect gluten-free treat to brighten your holiday celebrations.
These delightful cookies are a fantastic way to enjoy a beloved holiday classic without gluten. Baking for the holidays should be a joyous experience for everyone, and these gluten-free snowball cookies ensure no one misses out. If you’re planning a full spread of festive gluten-free treats, consider adding our Soft & Chewy Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men to your list for another holiday favorite.
The unique charm of these Peppermint Snowball Cookies lies in their wonderful texture and flavor combination. The buttery cookie base melts in your mouth, while the crushed candy canes soften during baking to provide a pleasant, slightly chewy crunch and an invigorating burst of peppermint. This festive twist elevates the traditional snowball cookie into something truly special for your holiday gatherings. For another classic cookie experience, try our Easy Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies, which are perfect for decorating.
Crafting these snowball cookies to be perfectly gluten-free means achieving that signature delicate, crumbly texture without compromise. This recipe is designed for success, yielding cookies that are both tender and flavorful. They are surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making them an excellent choice for your gluten-free holiday baking. If you love peppermint, our Light & Crispy Peppermint Meringues offer another delightful take on this refreshing flavor. And for a universally loved classic, you can’t go wrong with Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.
These Gluten-Free Peppermint Snowball Cookies are wonderfully stable and hold their texture well, making them ideal for gifting or preparing in advance. Get ready to bake a batch and watch these festive delights become a cherished part of your gluten-free holiday traditions!
Why This Recipe Works So Well
Crafting classic cookies like snowball cookies in a gluten-free format can sometimes be a challenge, but this recipe for delicious gluten free snowball cookies truly delivers! It successfully captures the iconic buttery texture and delightful melt-in-your-mouth quality you expect, all while being completely gluten-free.
The key to the success of these gluten free snowball cookies lies in the careful selection and combination of ingredients. The recipe uses a specific gluten-free rice flour blend, which provides a solid structural foundation without the toughness that can sometimes occur with gluten-free flours. This blend helps create that light, crumbly base essential for a perfect snowball cookie.
Crucially, this recipe incorporates xanthan gum. In gluten-free baking, xanthan gum acts as a binder, helping to replace the elastic properties that gluten provides. It’s vital for preventing the cookies from becoming too crumbly and ensures they hold together beautifully, giving them that satisfying texture and helping them survive things like shipping (as the recipe notes!).
Beyond the gluten-free structure, the generous amount of softened butter is paramount. It creams with the powdered sugar to create a rich, tender dough that bakes into incredibly soft and buttery cookies. The addition of peppermint extract provides a bright, refreshing flavor counterpoint to the buttery sweetness, making them perfect for the holidays. The crushed candy canes aren’t just for flavor; they soften slightly during baking, adding a pleasant chewy-crunch that enhances the overall eating experience of these gluten free snowball cookies.
This recipe proves that going gluten-free doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, texture, or that nostalgic cookie comfort. By understanding the role of each ingredient, especially the gluten-free flour blend and xanthan gum, you can achieve fantastic results that your family and friends will love, whether they eat gluten or not. Give these gluten free snowball cookies a try and discover your new favorite!
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Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, Cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Next, add salt, xanthan gum, and peppermint extract to the mixture. *Tip: Add the peppermint extract a quarter teaspoon at a time and taste as you go, as it is potent and you want a pleasant peppermint flavor, not a toothpaste one.* Gradually incorporate the gluten-free rice flour blend and the crushed gluten-free candy canes, mixing until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons) to portion the dough. Roll each portion gently between your palms to form a smooth ball. Place the dough balls on a plate or tray and transfer to the freezer to chill until solid, which takes approximately 1 hour.
- While the dough is chilling, line a baking sheet with either a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the chilled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2-3 inches apart. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the cookies no longer appear shiny and have spread slightly. *Note: They will be very soft to the touch when hot but will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.*
- Once the cookies are baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes until they are warm but stable enough to handle. Gently roll each warm cookie generously in additional powdered sugar to coat completely. Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack to cool down fully.
Storage Notes
For storage, place cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For best results and to prevent sticking, layer the cookies with wax paper or parchment paper between layers.
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Tips for Perfect Results
- **Weigh Your Flour:** For consistent results in gluten-free baking, weighing your flour (16.5 ounces) is more accurate than using cup measurements. This helps ensure the correct flour-to-fat ratio, crucial for preventing crumbly dough.
- **Thorough Dough Chilling:** Don’t rush the chilling process! Freezing the dough balls until solid (about 1 hour) is essential. This step helps the gluten-free dough hold its shape and minimizes spreading in the oven, resulting in perfectly rounded snowball cookies.
- **Add Peppermint Gradually:** Peppermint extract can be quite strong. Add it a little at a time, tasting the dough (if safe and desired before adding raw egg if applicable, but this recipe has no egg), to find the perfect level of minty flavor without it being overpowering.
- **Roll While Warm:** The key to that beautiful powdered sugar coating is rolling the cookies while they are still warm but have cooled enough to handle without falling apart. The warmth helps the sugar adhere perfectly.
- **Gentle Mixing:** Once you add the flour and candy canes, mix only until just combined. Overmixing gluten-free dough can sometimes lead to a tougher texture, even without gluten development.
Avoid under-chilling the dough, as this is one of the most common reasons gluten-free cookies spread too much during baking.
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Ingredients for Gluten Free Snowball Cookies
Crafting delicious gluten free snowball cookies starts with the right components. These simple ingredients come together to create that melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet peppermint flavor perfect for any occasion, especially the holidays. Ensure you measure carefully for the best results!
- 1 ½ cups (12 oz) butter, softened
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (5.5 oz) powdered sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½-3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 3 cups (16.5 oz) my gluten-free rice flour blend
- 8 gluten-free candy canes, crushed (about ½ cup)
Nutrition Information
Understanding the nutritional profile of your baked goods is key, especially when managing a gluten-free lifestyle. These gluten free peppermint snowball cookies, made with a gluten-free flour blend, offer a delicious treat without traditional wheat flour. While the values below are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used (like your choice of butter or powdered sugar), they provide a general idea per serving.
| Yield | Serving Size |
|---|---|
| 36 | 1 |
| Amount Per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 30 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 45mg |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 0g |
*Please note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific brands and types of ingredients used, including the gluten-free flour blend. These estimates are provided for informational purposes only.
Additional Tips & Variations
Making perfect gluten free snowball cookies is easy with a few helpful pointers. Follow these tips for the best texture and flavor, and explore variations to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
Tips for Success
- Ingredient Temperature: Ensure your butter is truly softened, but not melted, for proper creaming with the powdered sugar.
- Peppermint Power: Add the peppermint extract gradually. Start with the smaller amount and taste the dough (a tiny bit!) after mixing to ensure the flavor is just right – you don’t want it overpowering.
- Chilling is Crucial: Don’t skip the chilling step after shaping the dough balls using a medium cookie scoop. Freezing the dough makes them hold their shape better while baking and prevents excessive spreading.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Make sure your gluten-free candy canes are finely crushed, but not powdered. Small pieces add texture without becoming sticky liquid puddles.
- Rolling in Sugar: Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm helps the sugar adhere better. Use caution as they will be delicate and warm!
Storage
Store cooled gluten free peppermint snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing wax paper or parchment paper between layers can help prevent them from sticking together and keep them fresh longer.
Variations & Substitutions
- Dairy-Free: To make these gluten free snowball cookies dairy-free, substitute the butter with an equal amount of a solid dairy-free butter alternative designed for baking. Ensure your powdered sugar is also vegan/dairy-free if needed.
- Nut-Free Status: This specific recipe already omits the nuts traditional in some snowball recipes, making it nut-free (always double-check your ingredient labels, especially for the flour blend and candy canes).
- Peppermint Level: Adjust the amount of peppermint extract to your preference, or swap it entirely for vanilla extract for classic snowball cookies.
- Alternative Add-ins: Instead of crushed candy canes, you could fold in mini gluten-free chocolate chips or finely chopped dried cranberries for different flavor profiles.
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Essential Equipment for This Recipe
To prepare this delicious recipe, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:
- Mixing Bowls – A set of various sizes is ideal for preparing different components.
Find Mixing Bowls on Amazon - Measuring Cups and Spoons – Accuracy is key in baking!
Find Measuring Cups and Spoons on Amazon - Baking Sheets – Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
Find Baking Sheets on Amazon - Whisks – For incorporating air and blending wet and dry ingredients.
Find Whisks on Amazon - Spatulas – Perfect for folding and scraping bowls clean.
Find Spatulas on Amazon - Food Processors – Saves time and effort for chopping and pureeing.
Find Food Processors on Amazon - Saucepans – For sauces, melting chocolate, or simmering ingredients.
Find Saucepans on Amazon - Chef’s Knives – A sharp knife is essential for efficient prep work.
Find Chef’s Knives on Amazon - Cutting Boards – Protect your countertops while you chop.
Find Cutting Boards on Amazon
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