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+ servings
a plate full of frosted sugar cookies

Snowman Cookies

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These adorable Snowman Cookies are super easy and fun to make! Cake mix sugar cookies are topped with a vanilla buttercream frosting, then decorated with candies and sprinkles to bring these little frosty friends to life! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 14
Calories 299

Ingredients

For the Cookies

  • 15.5 oz box white cake mix
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Vanilla Buttercream

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 Tablespoons milk

For decorating

  • Black pearl candies for eyes and mouth
  • Orange jelly beans for noses
  • Twizzlers Pull'n'Peel licorice
  • Round peppermint candies
  • Bow shaped candy sprinkles

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla and stir by hand until well mixed. Set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and scoop the dough into medium-sized balls and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each dough ball. Gently press the tops of the balls to flatten slightly. 
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cookies are just set. Do not overbake. Allow your snowman cookies to cool on the sheet pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Make sure your cookies are completely cooled before adding the frosting.
  • To make the frosting, add the butter to a medium sized bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about one minute. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk and beat until smooth. Using a butter knife or spatula, frost the cooled cookies with the buttercream frosting. 
  • To make the snowmen, add the black pearl candies for the eyes and mouth. Add a jellybean for the nose. Peel one piece of the Twizzlers Pull’n’Peel and shape it around the top of the snowman’s head. Cut it right where the “ears” would be. Add two round peppermint candies to make the rest of the earmuffs.
  • To make the snow-women, add the black pearl candies for the eyes and mouth. Add a jellybean for the nose. Add one or two bows and additional pink/purple jumbo sprinkles on the top and sides of the foreheads. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Where to find the toppings/decorations: The jellybeans, Twizzlers, and peppermint candies can all be found at your local grocery store, Walmart, Target, etc. The black pearl candies can be purchased from them Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann's, Walmart, or online from Amazon here. The bow sprinkles can be purchased from Walmart, Etsy, or online from Amazon here. You can also make your own bow sprinkles from a mold using candy melts! I've done this before also. This is the mold I have.
  • Don’t overbake the cookies. They will get very tough if they overbake!
  • Line the sheet pan with parchment paper. This will help prevent the cookies from burning on the bottom and make clean up a breeze. 
  • Use a cookie scoop to help scoop out the dough. When you use a cookie scoop, all the cookies will be the same size, so they will cook evenly.
  • Don’t skip the chill time for the dough. If you don’t let the cookies chill, they will spread out too much, and your cookies will be too thin. 
  • How to Store: Store prepared cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. 
  • How to Freeze: To freeze just the dough, simply place the chilled cookie dough balls into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the fridge before baking as directed. To freeze unfrosted/undecorated cookies, place in a freezer safe container or zipper freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before enjoying, or topping with frosting and decorating.
*Nutrition facts do not include candy/sprinkles used for decorating.

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg