If you’re looking for a delightful and festive holiday cookie that combines the rich, nutty flavor of pistachios with the refreshing coolness of mint, look no further than Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs! These sweet, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are rolled in powdered sugar to create a snowball effect, making them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray. With their green pistachio base and subtle mint flavor, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.
What makes these snowballs so special is the combination of textures and flavors. The pistachios add a satisfying crunch, while the mint provides a refreshing contrast to the buttery dough. They’re a fun twist on the traditional snowball cookie, and the bright green color gives them a festive, holiday-ready look.
I first made these Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs when I wanted a new holiday cookie that was both unique and visually festive. The combination of pistachio and mint was a total hit, and these cookies quickly became a favorite for family gatherings and cookie exchanges. I’m sure they’ll become a new tradition in your home too!
Why These Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs Will Be Your New Favorite
- Festive and colorful: The green pistachio dough and powdered sugar coating make these cookies look like little snowballs, perfect for the holidays.
- Unique flavor combination: The nutty flavor of pistachios pairs wonderfully with the cool, refreshing taste of mint, creating a cookie that’s both flavorful and fun.
- Easy to make: These cookies are simple to prepare with just a few ingredients, making them perfect for holiday baking without any hassle.
- Perfect for gifting: With their beautiful appearance and delicious taste, these snowballs are perfect for packaging up and gifting to friends and family.
- Melt-in-your-mouth texture: The buttery dough combined with finely chopped pistachios gives these cookies a light, crumbly texture that’s simply irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon mint extract (or peppermint extract)
- 1/2 cup pistachio nuts, finely chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Make Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs
- Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. - Make the dough:
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mint extract, and mix until combined. Gradually add the flour, salt, and chopped pistachios, mixing until the dough comes together. The dough will be slightly soft but should hold together when pressed. - Shape the cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. You can also gently flatten them if you prefer a more cookie-like shape. - Bake the cookies:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just starting to turn golden around the edges. The centers should remain soft and tender. - Cool and roll in powdered sugar:
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. While they are still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat them completely. Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. - Serve and enjoy:
Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with a little extra powdered sugar for a snowy effect. Serve these festive Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs with a hot cup of cocoa or enjoy them as a part of your holiday cookie spread!
Tips
- Finely chop the pistachios: For the best texture, finely chop the pistachios so they mix well into the dough without making the cookies too chunky.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies should remain soft in the center. Keep an eye on them and take them out as soon as the edges start to brown slightly.
- Flavor adjustment: If you prefer a stronger mint flavor, you can increase the amount of mint extract, but be careful not to overpower the other flavors.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use different nuts: While pistachios give these cookies their signature flavor, you can substitute them with walnuts, almonds, or pecans for a different taste.
- Mint chocolate version: For an extra chocolatey touch, mix in some mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top of the cookies after baking.
- Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free, keeping in mind that the texture may vary slightly.
Make a Healthier Version
- Use a butter substitute: To make these cookies a little lighter, you can substitute the butter with a healthier option, such as coconut oil or plant-based butter.
- Lower sugar: Reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the dough or substitute it with a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit to make these cookies lower in sugar.
Closing
And there you have it! Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs are the perfect combination of buttery, nutty, and minty flavors, all wrapped up in a pretty snowball shape. These cookies are a festive and delicious treat that’s sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying them with a cup of tea, these snowballs will add a touch of sweetness and fun to your celebrations. Don’t forget to let us know how your cookies turn out, and be sure to check out more of our festive cookie recipes for even more holiday inspiration!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, these cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. - Can I use almond extract instead of mint extract?
Yes, you can substitute almond extract for mint extract if you prefer a different flavor. It will give the cookies a slightly nutty taste. - Can I make these cookies without pistachios?
Yes! You can substitute the pistachios with any other nut, such as walnuts or almonds, or even use a combination of nuts. - How do I store leftover cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze them for longer storage. - Can I use a different type of sugar for rolling the cookies?
Yes, you can use granulated sugar or coconut sugar instead of powdered sugar, but powdered sugar will give you the traditional snowball effect. - Can I use a food processor to chop the pistachios?
Yes, a food processor can be used to chop the pistachios. Just pulse them a few times to achieve a fine texture without turning them into a powder. - How can I make these cookies more minty?
If you want a stronger mint flavor, increase the amount of mint extract, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way. - Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free. Just make sure to check that the other ingredients, like the pistachios, are also gluten-free. - Can I add chocolate to these cookies?
Yes! You can add mini chocolate chips to the dough or drizzle some melted chocolate on top after baking for a chocolate-mint twist. - Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes, you can use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) as a binding agent to make these cookies vegan.
Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs
Course: All Word Recipes4
servings30
40
minutes300
kcal0
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 cup 1 unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup 1/2 powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
1 teaspoon 1 vanilla extract
1 teaspoon 1 mint extract (or peppermint extract)
1/2 cup 1/2 pistachio nuts, finely chopped
2 cups 2 all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Make the dough:
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mint extract, and mix until combined. Gradually add the flour, salt, and chopped pistachios, mixing until the dough comes together. The dough will be slightly soft but should hold together when pressed.
- Shape the cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. You can also gently flatten them if you prefer a more cookie-like shape.
- Bake the cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just starting to turn golden around the edges. The centers should remain soft and tender.
- Cool and roll in powdered sugar:
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. While they are still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat them completely. Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with a little extra powdered sugar for a snowy effect. Serve these festive Pistachio & Mint Holiday Snowballs with a hot cup of cocoa or enjoy them as a part of your holiday cookie spread!
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