Funfetti Snowballs

Is there anything more joyful than biting into a cookie that looks like it’s straight out of a party? That’s exactly what you get with these Funfetti Snowballs, a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie packed with colorful sprinkles and rolled in snowy powdered sugar.

Every time I make them, I’m transported back to my childhood, when my mom would let me dump a whole jar of sprinkles into whatever we were baking (much to her dismay).

These cookies are just as fun to make as they are to eat, simple enough for little hands to help roll, but elegant enough to steal the show at holiday cookie swaps. They’re like tiny edible snow globes, bursting with confetti-like happiness in every bite. Trust me, one tray of these, and suddenly, any random Tuesday feels like a celebration.

Ingredients for Funfetti Snowballs

These cookies come together with just a handful of pantry staples, but each one plays a crucial role in creating that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for about 30 minutes, you want it cool but pliable)
• ¼ cup + ½ cup powdered sugar, divided (we’ll use some in the dough, the rest for rolling)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff, it makes a difference!)
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract (this is my secret weapon for that “what IS that amazing flavor?” moment)
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (measured correctly, spoon and level!)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (balances all that sweetness)
• 1/3 cup sprinkles (the rod-shaped kind, NOT nonpareils, I’ll explain why below)
• ¼ cup nonpareil sprinkles (tiny round ones, these are just for the final roll)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

The type of sprinkles matters more than you’d think! Regular sprinkles (sometimes called “jimmies”) hold their color better in baking. Nonpareils will bleed and turn your dough gray, learned that the hard way! If you’re out of almond extract, use all vanilla or a dash of lemon zest for brightness. And while I swear by real butter, in a pinch, you could use high-quality margarine, just don’t tell my grandma I said that. For gluten-free friends, a 1:1 flour substitute works beautifully here.

How to Make Funfetti Snowballs

Okay, let’s get rolling, literally! This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have cookies that look like they came from a fancy bakery (but shhh, we’ll keep your secret).

Step 1: First, grab your softened butter and beat it with that ¼ cup of powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This takes about 2 minutes with a mixer—you’ll know it’s ready when it looks like pale yellow clouds. Now add the vanilla and almond extracts and give it another quick mix. Oh, that smell already has me drooling!

Step 2: Time for the dry team! Add your flour and salt all at once, then mix just until combined. The dough will be crumbly at first, don’t panic! Keep mixing, and suddenly it’ll come together like magic. Now the fun part: dump in those colorful sprinkles and stir gently. I always let my kids do this part because their faces light up like, well… funfetti!

Step 3: Here’s the step everyone tries to skip (don’t!): chill your dough for at least an hour. I know, waiting is torture, but cold dough means perfect round balls that won’t spread into pancakes. Pro tip: I sometimes make the dough the night before, just wrap it tight and pop it in the fridge.

Step 4: Preheat your oven to 400°F while the dough chills. When you’re ready, roll tablespoon-sized portions between your palms, they should be slightly smaller than a ping pong ball. Space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet. They won’t spread much, but they need breathing room!

Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms are just golden. They’ll still look pale on top, that’s perfect! Let them cool for exactly 2 minutes (set a timer!), then roll them in that powdered sugar/nonpareil mixture while still warm. The heat helps the sugar stick in that first coat. After they cool completely, give them another roll for maximum snowy perfection.

Tips for Perfect Funfetti Snowballs

After making approximately 847 batches of these (okay, maybe 20), here are my hard-earned secrets:

• Cold hands make better balls: If your dough gets sticky while rolling, rinse your hands in cold water and dry them. The dough will behave much better!
• The golden minute: Pull them at 10 minutes for super soft centers, 12 for slightly crisp edges. Any longer, and they lose that melt-in-your-mouth magic.
• Sugar shower: For extra festive flair, mix some extra nonpareils into your final powdered sugar coating. They’ll sparkle like little edible jewels.
• Size matters: Keep your dough balls consistent—I use a #40 cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) for perfect uniformity.
• Storage hack: Layer baked cookies between parchment in an airtight container—they’ll stay fresh for days (if they last that long!).

Why You’ll Love These Funfetti Snowballs

Seriously, what’s not to love about these edible bursts of joy? Here’s why they’ll become your new go-to cookie:

• Instant mood booster: Those rainbow sprinkles make every bite feel like a celebration—no occasion needed!
• Foolproof fun: Even if you’ve never baked before, you can nail these. (My 7-year-old niece did on her first try!)
• That meltaway magic: The combo of butter, powdered sugar, and a hint of almond extract creates a texture so tender, it practically dissolves on your tongue.
• Crowd-pleaser guarantee: I’ve brought these to book clubs, potlucks, and even a fancy dinner party—every single time, the plate’s empty in minutes.
• Nostalgia in every bite: They taste like childhood birthday parties and snow days had a delicious baby.

Storage & Serving Suggestions

These little bursts of joy keep surprisingly well! Stack them in an airtight container with parchment between layers, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week—if you can resist eating them all in one sitting. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for 2-3 months; just thaw and give them a quick re-roll in powdered sugar before serving. They’re perfect for holiday cookie tins (just try not to eat all the “test” cookies while packing them), baby showers, or as a colorful surprise in lunchboxes. I’ve even served them stacked into mini towers with hot chocolate at winter brunches—total crowd pleaser!

Funfetti Snowballs FAQs

I get asked the same questions every time I make these cookies—so let’s tackle the big ones right here!

Can I use nonpareils in the dough instead of regular sprinkles?
Oh honey, I made that mistake once—never again! Nonpareils bleed their colors into the dough, turning it a sad grayish hue. Stick with rod-shaped sprinkles (the kind labeled “jimmies”) for the dough, and save those cute little nonpareils just for rolling.

How long do these stay fresh?
In an airtight container at room temp, they’re perfect for about 5 days. After that, they start losing their magical melt-in-your-mouth texture. But let’s be real—they’ve never lasted more than 48 hours in my house!

Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Roll the dough into balls first, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a bag. They’ll keep for 3 months—just add 1-2 minutes to the bake time straight from the freezer. I always stash a batch for last-minute cookie emergencies.

Why do we roll them twice in powdered sugar?
That first roll while warm creates a sticky base layer. The second roll after cooling gives that signature snowy look. Skipping the double roll is like wearing one glove—technically functional, but missing half the magic!

Can I make these gluten-free?
You bet! I’ve had great results with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure your sprinkles are GF too—some brands use wheat starch (who knew?).

Nutritional Information

Just between us, these cookies are pure happiness—not health food! But here’s the scoop per cookie (based on standard ingredients):

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 6g (3.5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Sugar: 8g
• Protein: 1g
• Sodium: 35mg

Remember, nutritional values are estimates and vary by ingredient brands. But let’s be real—when you’re biting into rainbow-speckled buttery bliss, who’s counting?

Share Your Funfetti Snowballs

Nothing makes me happier than seeing your cookie creations! Did you add extra sprinkles? Try a fun twist? Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram. I want to see those colorful masterpieces! Leave a comment below with your baking adventures (or mishaps—we’ve all been there). Happy rolling, friends!

Print