For the most delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that everyone will adore, these Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs are pure magic – just 5 simple ingredients and 22 minutes to cookie heaven!
These incredibly light and fluffy cookies are perfect for anyone who loves simple, not-too-sweet treats. They look beautifully elegant dusted with powdered sugar (just like fresh snowballs!), but don’t let their simple appearance fool you – these little gems are absolutely delicious and will disappear from your cookie platter in no time.
Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or when you need a quick treat that’s budget-friendly and kid-approved, these versatile cookies can be made plain or customized with your favorite add-ins. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly and make-ahead friendly – exactly what busy bakers need during the holidays!
Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe
These light, fluffy, and slightly sweet cookies made with sweetened condensed milk are the ultimate crowd-pleaser that comes together in just one bowl!
- Super simple recipe – only 5 ingredients and one bowl needed! Perfect for busy holiday baking or when you need cookies fast.
- Light and airy texture – these cookies bake up incredibly fluffy and delicate, almost melting in your mouth with each bite.
- Not overly sweet – perfect for those who prefer subtly sweet treats or want to balance out richer holiday desserts.
- Budget-friendly ingredients – uses basic pantry staples plus one can of sweetened condensed milk to make 22 cookies!
- Customizable base – easily add chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or extracts to make them your own family’s signature cookie.
- Perfect for gift-giving – look beautiful dusted with powdered sugar and pack wonderfully in cookie tins or cellophane bags.
What You Need
With tender, cloud-like texture and a delicate sweetness, these snowball cookies deliver maximum comfort with minimal ingredients.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method!
Butter – room temperature butter is absolutely essential for the right texture! Both salted and unsalted work perfectly in this recipe.
Sweetened condensed milk – this magical ingredient creates the tender, moist texture. Make sure it’s the thick, gooey sweetened kind (not evaporated milk).
All-purpose flour – regular flour works perfectly. No need for anything fancy or special for these simple cookies.
Baking powder – helps create that wonderful light, airy texture that makes these cookies so special.
Confectioner’s sugar – for dusting the finished cookies. Also called powdered sugar, it gives them that beautiful snowy appearance!
Equipment Required
These easy cookies come together with just basic baking equipment!
- A large mixing bowl and electric mixer
- A cookie scoop or spoon for portioning
- Baking sheets and parchment paper
- A fine-mesh sifter for dusting with powdered sugar
- Wire cooling racks
Step By Step Instructions
Get ready for the easiest, most delicious cookies that’ll become your new go-to holiday treat!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method!
Step 1 – Prep And Soften Butter
Make sure your butter is completely softened to room temperature (this is crucial!). Preheat oven to 320°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2 – Cream The Butter
Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Don’t rush this step!
Step 3 – Add Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and beat for 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and beat for another 1-2 minutes until well combined.
Step 4 – Mix In Dry Ingredients
Add the flour and baking powder to the butter mixture. Beat until just combined – don’t overmix!
Step 5 – Scoop And Bake
Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 12 minutes until just set.
Step 6 – Cool And Dust
Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Once completely cool, dust generously with confectioner’s sugar using a fine sifter.
Expert Tips
Master these delicate cookies with these helpful tips for perfect results every time!
- Room temperature butter is key – leave butter out for 3-5 hours or overnight. Never microwave it! Properly softened butter is crucial for the right texture.
- Don’t overbake – these cookies should just be set, not golden brown. They’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot pan.
- Use a cookie scoop – ensures even-sized cookies that bake uniformly. A 1.5-tablespoon scoop works perfectly.
- Cool completely before dusting – warm cookies will melt the powdered sugar. Wait until they’re completely cool for the best snowy effect.
- Storage – store in an airtight container for 3-5 days at room temperature, or refrigerate for longer storage.
- Freezing – these freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw completely and re-dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Gift-giving tip – wear gloves when handling to avoid fingerprints on the powdered sugar coating!
FAQs
Can I add mix-ins to these cookies?
Absolutely! Add up to 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped nuts (toast them first!), dried cranberries, or mini marshmallows. Fold in after adding the flour.
What’s the difference between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk?
Sweetened condensed milk is thick, gooey, and very sweet. Evaporated milk is thinner and unsweetened. Make sure you use the sweetened kind for this recipe!
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be scooped and frozen on baking sheets, then stored in bags for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
Why is my dough too sticky or too dry?
If sticky, the butter may have been too warm. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. If dry, make sure you used sweetened (not evaporated) condensed milk and that your butter was properly softened.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup confectioner’s sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prevent your screen from going dark
- Prep and preheat – ensure butter is completely softened to room temperature. Preheat oven to 320°F (160°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter – in a large bowl, beat softened butter until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Don’t rush this step!
- Add condensed milk – pour in sweetened condensed milk and beat for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat for another 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Mix in dry ingredients – add flour and baking powder to the butter mixture. Beat until just combined – don’t overmix!
- Scoop and bake – using a cookie scoop, portion dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 12 minutes until just set (not golden).
- Cool and dust – let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks. Once completely cool, use a fine sifter to dust generously with confectioner’s sugar.
Notes
- Butter temperature is crucial – butter must be completely softened (not melted!) for proper texture. Leave out 3-5 hours or overnight.
- Add-ins – fold in up to 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped toasted nuts, dried fruit, or candies after adding flour.
- Extracts – add up to 2 teaspoons of vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract with the condensed milk.
- Storage – store in airtight container for 3-5 days at room temperature, or refrigerate for longer storage.
- Freezing – freeze baked cookies up to 3 months. Thaw completely and re-dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Make ahead – scoop dough and freeze on baking sheets, then store in bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
