If you’re on the hunt for an easy yet utterly delightful cookie, you’ve got to try my Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe. These soft, buttery bites are surprisingly simple to whip up, needing just a handful of ingredients, but they deliver big on flavor and texture. I absolutely love this recipe because it’s light, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet—perfect for when you want a cozy treat that feels like a little hug in cookie form. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a staple in your cookie jar!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Few Ingredients, Big Impact: Just five simple ingredients come together to create a cookie that’s soft, tender, and deliciously sweet without being overpowering.
- Great for Busy Bakers: Prep and bake in under 30 minutes—a perfect recipe for when you want a homemade treat without the fuss.
- Light and Fluffy Texture: The sweetened condensed milk adds moisture and richness, making these snowballs melt in your mouth.
- Versatile and Customizable: Add your favorite mix-ins or extracts to make these your very own signature cookie!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With a recipe this simple, each ingredient plays a starring role. I always suggest using good-quality butter since it really shines through. And don’t let the sweetened condensed milk intimidate you—it’s the secret to keeping these cookies soft and tender.
- Butter: Softened is key here so it mixes easily and creates that creamy base for the dough.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and moisture; I always use the classic kind for the best flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The framework for the cookie—measure it carefully for the right texture.
- Baking Powder: Helps your snowballs stay light and not too dense.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: For that lovely, snowy dusting that gives the cookies their name and a beautiful finish.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe because it’s so adaptable. You can stick to the classic version or make it uniquely yours with just a few tweaks.
- Add-Ins: I personally enjoy tossing in mini chocolate chips or dried cranberries—just up to a cup—to give the cookies a fun twist without losing that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Flavor Extracts: Vanilla is my go-to, but I’ve also experimented with almond or lemon extract (never more than 2 teaspoons!) to brighten things up.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend—I’ve done this with great results, just watch the texture and adjust if needed.
- Seasonal Twists: Try adding pumpkin spices or a little orange zest for holiday flair; my family goes crazy for these holiday-themed snowballs.
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter Until Light and Fluffy
Start by placing your softened butter in a mixing bowl—trust me, soften it well so it’s easy to beat. I usually let mine sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. Beat the butter for about three minutes until it’s pale and creamy; this aeration is what helps your cookies become light instead of dense. Patience at this step really pays off!
Step 2: Mix in the Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and beat it into the butter for two minutes. This blend adds that lovely, moist texture we’re after. If you want to add a flavor extract (vanilla is a classic here), now’s the time—but keep it subtle, no more than 2 teaspoons. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through so everything’s evenly mixed.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients and Any Optional Mix-Ins
Next, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then beat them into your wet mixture just until combined. Over-mixing can make your cookies bit tough, so keep it gentle. If you want to add chocolate chips, dried fruit, or little candies, fold them in now—just keep any add-ins under a cup to maintain the dough structure.
Step 4: Portion and Bake
Use a cookie scoop to drop mounds of dough onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Leave at least two inches between them because they’ll spread slightly. Pop them in a preheated oven at 320°F and bake for 12 minutes. You want the cookies set but not browned—they should look soft and just starting to firm up.
Step 5: Cool and Dust with Sugar
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool for five minutes on the pan before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up without becoming too hard. While they’re still warm, sift a generous layer of confectioner’s sugar over them—that snow-white coat is what makes these cookies so fun to eat. Let them cool completely before storing so the sugar sets nicely.
Pro Tips for Making Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Butter Temperature Matters: Don’t rush softening your butter—it really helps achieve that perfect creamy texture when beaten.
- Gentle Folding: When adding flour and mix-ins, fold carefully to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Even Portions: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies bake evenly and come out uniform in size.
- Sugar Dusting Trick: Dust the confectioner’s sugar while cookies are still warm for a beautiful, glossy snowball finish without clumps.
How to Serve Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
My go-to garnish is a generous dusting of confectioner’s sugar—it really brings that snowball look to life. If I’m feeling festive, sometimes I add a light sprinkle of edible glitter or a few colorful sugar crystals for some sparkle. These cookies are perfect as-is, but the sugar dusting just makes them extra special and irresistible.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea or coffee—the soft sweetness cuts through the bitter notes perfectly. For a holiday twist, I like to serve them alongside spiced cider or hot chocolate. Honestly, they also make a fantastic little gift to include with your favorite beverage for friends and family.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to stack the snowballs in a pretty glass jar adorned with a ribbon—it makes a charming, edible centerpiece. Another idea: arrange them on a platter with sprigs of fresh mint and berries for a pop of color. When gifting, wrapping a dozen in wax paper tied with twine turns these humble cookies into a thoughtful homemade treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for about 3-4 days, which is great when you want to enjoy them slowly or share with neighbors. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before sealing the container to avoid any sogginess.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing the cookie dough itself—shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. This trick has saved me plenty of times during the holidays!
Reheating
If you want to freshen up leftovers, I pop a couple of cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to bring back that soft, warm feel without melting the sugar dusting. It’s like biting into a freshly baked cookie all over again.
FAQs
-
Can I use margarine instead of butter in this Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe?
While margarine can technically be used, I always recommend using real butter because it gives these cookies that rich flavor and tender texture you want. Margarine tends to make the dough too soft or greasy and can affect the final taste and texture.
-
Why do the cookies need baking powder?
Baking powder acts as a leavening agent to help the cookies rise just enough to stay light and fluffy rather than dense. Without it, your cookies might come out a bit flat and heavy, lacking that delicate snowball feel.
-
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts work wonderfully and add a nice crunch contrast. Just remember to keep your total add-in volume under one cup so the dough doesn’t get overwhelmed.
-
How long do these cookies last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these snowball cookies will stay delicious for about 3 to 4 days. For best texture, enjoy them fresh or gently warm them before serving.
-
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Making this recipe vegan is a bit tricky because of the butter and sweetened condensed milk. However, you could try using vegan butter and a dairy-free condensed milk alternative, but keep in mind this might change the texture and taste quite a bit. Experiment if you like, but expect some differences from the classic treat.
Final Thoughts
This Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking heart because of its simplicity and comforting charm. I love sharing these cookies with friends and family—they’re the kind of treat that sparks smiles and conversations. If you want a no-fuss, budget-friendly recipe that produces soft, tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, this is for you. Give it a try; I promise these snowballs will become one of your favorite go-to desserts for any occasion!
Print
Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowball Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs are delicate, light, and fluffy cookies made with just five simple ingredients. These budget-friendly treats have a subtle sweetness, tender crumb, and a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture dusted with confectioners’ sugar, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
Topping
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl and beat until light and creamy, which should take about three minutes.
- Incorporate Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and beat into the butter for two minutes. If you want to add a flavor extract, add up to 2 teaspoons now and continue beating. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again for another one to two minutes.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the mixture. Beat until well combined. If including additions like chocolate chips, cranberries, or chocolate candies, add up to 1 cup at this stage and mix evenly.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop, place mounds of the dough onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Leave at least two inches of space between each mound to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 320°F (160°C) for 12 minutes.
- Cool on Pan: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly on the pan for five minutes.
- Cool Completely and Dust: Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack. Once cooled, use a sifter to liberally dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar.
Notes
- These cookies are light, fluffy, and only slightly sweet, making them a subtle treat.
- They use just five ingredients, making them very budget-friendly and easy to prepare.
- You can customize by adding up to 2 teaspoons of extract or up to 1 cup of mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit.
- Be sure to cool the cookies fully before storing to maintain their texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 149 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

