Chocolate Snowflake Cookies

Since we had our 2nd snowfall of the season this week, I’m making Chocolate Snowflake Cookies and cranking up the fireplace!  If your kids have a snow day this year, this is a simple and fun recipe they will love to make with you!  But these are so chocolate-y and moist you will not want to wait.

They’ve got a soft slightly chewy bite to them like a brownie.  I love how they look like a snowflake’s fallen onto a chocolate cookie.  And no two are exactly alike either!  They’re the perfect bite size for both big kids and little kids.

How to Make Chocolate Snowflake Cookies

1. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  Set aside.
2. In a small pot, melt 5 tablespoons butter.  Then stir in 6 tablespoons cocoa powder. 
3. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of sugar.
4. Transfer the sugar, butter, cocoa mixture to a large bowl and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 eggs.  Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating each really well before you add the next. 
5. Mix in 1/2 of the the flour mixture and then mix in the other 1/2 until just combined. 
6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least a 1/2 an hour.
7. Roll dough into small balls (1/2 to 1 inch) and roll in powdered sugar. 
8. Place cookies 2 inches apart and bake at 400F on a baking sheet for 8 minutes.  

Expert Tips for Fantastic Chocolate Snowflake Cookies

• Use a small ice cream scooper (disher) to portion out dough to make your snowflakes the same size.
• Coat your hands in confectioners sugar (powdered sugar) to keep the dough from sticking to your hands while you roll the dough into balls.
• Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silmat mat to make clean up a snap!
• Make sure your oven is set to 400F (not 350F).  The extra heat helps expand the cookie quickly, breaking the powdered sugar crust to create the “snowflake” effect.

Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda

In a nutshell, the basic difference between these two is easy to remember: Powder PUFFS and Soda SPREADS.  They’re both leavening agents meaning they used to create lift (rise) in baked goods by producing carbon dioxide.

Baking powder contains baking soda and therefore has a greater puff effect.  Still curious?  Here’s a more in depth article you can chew on.

Can you make them ahead?

Yes! This is a simple recipe, no mixer required, and you can make the batter a week ahead or freeze it until you’re ready to bake.  I found this recipe for Chocolate Snowflake Cookies years ago when I first started Lakeside Table on the Penzey’s web sight and had to give it a go.  I’m so happy I did!  

Baking with kids

Chocolate Snowflake Cookies are fun to make with kids too.  Have your little ones roll them into balls and push them around powered sugar “snow mounds.”  This is loads of fun for sticky little hands!  

Variations

This is a great cookie for add-ins!  Sprinkle in a few mini chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or your favorite nuts into the dough before you roll it into balls.  If you add nuts, make sure you toast them a bit.  Otherwise they can make your cookie a little bitter.

If you find yourself with too many peppermint candy canes after the holidays, bust some up into small pieces and mix them into the dough.  Chocolate and mint is a classic combo!

Play around with different cocoa powders!  I had some black cocoa powder left over from these homemade Oreo cookies that I mixed (1/2 & 1/2) with Hershey’s cocoa powder.  It made for an even more dramatic contrast against the white “snowflake” crinkle.

A Winter Baby Shower

December 2015, I gave my girlfriend’s daughter a baby shower.  Natalie was born happy and healthy and she is beyond precious!  One of Ashley’s (Natalie’s mom) favorite desserts are brownies.   

Since the shower was in December and we were anticipating a snow fall, we themed it “Baby, it’s cold outside” complete with pink & white snowflakes and of course plenty of chocolate snowflake cookies! 

Use any excuse you want to make these adorable little snowflake brownie bites!  I know you’ll love them as much as we do.

3.24 from 13 votes

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Baby Shower Chocolate Snowflake Cookies

These are so much FUN to make with kids and so good to eat!  If you like brownies, you'll love these chewy cookies with "snowflake" cracks on top. | www.lakesidetable.com

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Servings 50 cookies

Calories 43.48 kcal

Author Penzey's

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons butter unsalted
• 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Equipment

• medium bowl
• large bowl
• small saucepan
• pastic wrap
• sifter
• measuring cups and spoons
• cookie sheet
• cooling rack
• parchment paper

Instructions

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in the medium bowl.  Set aside.
2. In the small saucepan, melt butter over low heat and then add the cocoa powder.  Blend well.
3. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.  Transfer this to the large mixing bowl.
4. Add the vanilla, the eggs (one at a time, stirring well in between).
5. Slowly stir in the flour mixture to the cocoa mixture.  Mix well.

6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least a 1/2 hour.

7. Preheat the oven to 400º.
8. Roll the chilled dough into 1/2 inch balls and roll in the powdered sugar.*

9. Place the cookie balls on a parchment lined cookie sheet, 2 inches apart, and bake for 8 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Thank you Penzey's for a great recipe!  I love your spices too!

*Coat your hands with powdered sugar to easier rolling!

Nutrition Facts

Baby Shower Chocolate Snowflake Cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 43.48 Calories from Fat 13

% Daily Value*

Fat 1.41g2%

Saturated Fat 0.83g5%

Cholesterol 9.56mg3%

Sodium 24.44mg1%

Potassium 22.33mg1%

Carbohydrates 7.51g3%

Fiber 0.27g1%

Sugar 5.2g6%

Protein 0.61g1%

Vitamin A 44.49IU1%

Calcium 5.93mg1%

Iron 0.24mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.