Name: Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 cup milk; Assorted candies for decoration (e.g., M&Ms, gumdrops, sprinkles); Black edible marker

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Oh, the holidays! Is there anything better than the smell of baking wafting through the house when the snow is falling outside? For me, it just screams Christmas cheer. And when it comes to festive treats that *everyone* loves, you really can’t beat a good sugar cookie. But this year, we’re taking our sugar cookie game to a whole new level with these ridiculously fun Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies! Seriously, they’re a total blast to make, super easy, and guaranteed to bring smiles to faces both big and small. I remember making these with my nieces last year, and the giggles were non-stop as we tried to get the perfect “melted” effect!

Why You’ll Love These Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

Honestly, there are so many reasons these Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies are a holiday baking superstar. They’re not just pretty to look at, they’re genuinely fun and super easy to whip up, even with little helpers around. Plus, who doesn’t love a classic sugar cookie base? Here’s why you absolutely need them on your holiday baking list:

Super Festive & Fun: They look absolutely adorable and totally capture that playful “melted snowman” vibe.
Easy-Peasy to Make: The cookie dough comes together quickly, and cutting out the shapes is a cinch.
Deliciously Classic: We’re talking about a buttery, sweet sugar cookie that’s the perfect canvas for simple, yummy frosting.
A Hit for All Ages: From toddlers to grandparents, everyone gets a kick out of decorating and devouring these!
Perfect for Sharing: They make fantastic gifts or treats for holiday parties.

Gather Your Ingredients for Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of what you’ll need to make these delightful Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies! Having good quality ingredients really does make a difference, so I always try to use the best I can find. You’ll need a few staples for the cookies themselves, and then some fun bits for decorating. Here’s the list:

3 cups all-purpose flour – make sure it’s sifted for the lightest dough!
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (that’s two sticks, folks!) unsalted butter, softened – this is key for creaming!
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – splurge on the good stuff if you can!
For the glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
And for the fun part: Assorted small candies for decorating (think M&Ms for noses or hats, gumdrops, tiny sprinkles – get creative!), plus a black edible marker for those cute snowman faces.

Just a quick tip: make sure your butter is softened but not melted when you start. It makes a world of difference!

Essential Equipment for Baking Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

Okay, so before we dive into the actual baking magic, let’s make sure you’ve got all your tools ready to go. Having the right equipment makes the whole process so much smoother, and honestly, less stressful! You don’t need anything super fancy, just the basics:

Large mixing bowls (one for wet ingredients, one for dry)
Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer – makes creaming a breeze!)
Whisk
Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
Rolling pin
Baking sheets – a couple of these are helpful so you can bake in batches!
Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – trust me, these save your cookies from sticking!
Cookie cutters – you’ll need some fun snowman shapes (or even just circles and ovals you can squash!)
Wire cooling racks – essential for getting them nice and cool after baking.
Small bowls for the glaze and candies
A pastry brush or small spoon for the glaze
Black edible marker

Having these on hand will make your Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies experience a joy from start to finish!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

Alright, let’s get our hands a little floury and dive into making these adorable Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies! It’s really not tricky at all, and honestly, the fun really starts when we get to the decorating part. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a whole batch of cuteness ready to go!

Preparing the Cookie Dough

First things first, let’s get our dough ready. In one bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. In a bigger bowl, cream together that softened butter and the granulated sugar until it’s nice and fluffy – think pale yellow and airy! Now, beat in your eggs one at a time, followed by that lovely vanilla extract. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until everything is *just* combined. Don’t overmix! Then, divide the dough in half, flatten each part into a disk, wrap ’em up tight in some plastic wrap, and pop ’em in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is super important, trust me, it makes the dough way easier to handle and stops the cookies from spreading too much. For more tips on preventing spread, check out this great article!

Shaping and Baking Your Snowmen

Once your dough is perfectly chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper – it’s a lifesaver for clean-up and preventing sticking! Take one disk of dough out and roll it on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Now comes the fun part: using your snowman cookie cutter (or anything that can give you a snowman-like shape) to cut out your cookies. Place them onto your prepared baking sheets, giving them a little space. Pop them in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just barely golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully moving them to wire racks to cool completely. Patience here is KEY if you want the frosting to stick!

Making the Simple Glaze

While those cookies are doing their cooling thing, let’s whip up a super simple glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and the milk. You want it smooth and pourable, like a nice thick glaze that will coat the back of a spoon. Add a tiny bit more milk if it’s too thick, or a pinch more powdered sugar if it’s too thin. Easy peasy!

Decorating Your Melting Snowmen

Okay, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – making these officially Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies! Make sure your cookies are *completely* cool. If they’re even a little warm, your glaze will melt right off. So, once they’re cooled, slather on that simple glaze. Now, grab your assorted candies! Use them for eyes, buttons, maybe a cheerful candy nose for your snowman, or even a little hat. The black edible marker is perfect for drawing on that little smiley mouth and any other details you like. Get creative – there’s no wrong way to make a melting snowman!

Tips for Perfect Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

You’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the cute shapes, but sometimes even the best cookies need a little extra TLC. Don’t worry! I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that help make these Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies absolutely perfect every single time. Here are my go-to tips, hopefully they’ll help you too!

Don’t skip the chill time! Seriously, chilled dough is a baker’s best friend. It’s so much easier to roll out and cut without all the sticky mess. Plus, it helps prevent those snowmen from spreading into blobs in the oven.
Watch the oven carefully. Sugar cookies bake up fast! Keep an eye on them and pull them out as soon as the edges are just hinting at gold. Overbaking means a crispier, less tender cookie.
Cool, cool, cool! I can’t stress this enough – your cookies *must* be completely cool before you frost them. Warm cookies + glaze = sad, melted mess. Patience is key here!
Glaze consistency is everything. You want it thick enough to coat but thin enough to spread easily. If it’s too thin, add a tad more powdered sugar; if it’s too thick, stir in a tiny bit of milk.
Get creative with your decorations! Don’t be afraid to use different candies for eyes, noses, buttons, and hats. Smaller candies usually work best for detail. And have fun with that edible marker!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Sometimes you might find yourself a little short on an ingredient or want to try something a bit different with your Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies. For the flour, all-purpose is fantastic, but if you’re feeling adventurous and have it on hand, a pastry flour can sometimes make things even more tender. For the milk in the glaze, you could totally use buttermilk for a slight tang, or even a dairy-free milk alternative like almond or oat milk if that’s what you have. And if you don’t have an edible black marker? Just a dab of black food coloring mixed with a tiny bit of clear extract or butter extract on a toothpick works too!

Storing and Reheating Your Cookies

So, you’ve baked up a storm of these adorable Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies! Now, how do you keep them tasting their best? Once they’re completely cooled and decorated, store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious at room temperature for about 3 to 5 days. If you need to reheat them (though honestly, they’re best at room temp!), just pop a cookie or two on a baking sheet in a low oven, around 300°F (150°C), for a couple of minutes until they’re slightly warmed through. But usually, they’re perfect just as they are for snacking!

Frequently Asked Questions About Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

Got questions about whipping up these cute Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies? I’ve got you covered! Here are a few things folks often ask, and my best tips to make sure your cookie adventure is a smashing success. For more classic sugar cookie inspiration, you can check out King Arthur Baking’s recipe, though mine have a fun melted twist!

Can I make the dough for Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can totally make the cookie dough a day or two in advance. Just follow the steps until you’ve wrapped the disks in plastic wrap. Keep them in the fridge, and then just let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before rolling them out. It makes them so much easier to work with!

What kind of cookie cutters work best for these snowmen?

For that classic melted look, a snowman-shaped cutter is perfect. But honestly, get creative! You can use a regular round or oval cutter and just gently press them together on the baking sheet before baking to give them that squashed, melting effect. Even a simple gingerbread man cutter can be adapted with some frosting!

My frosting seems a little too thin. What should I do?

No worries, it happens! If your glaze for the Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies is too thin, just whisk in a little more powdered sugar, a teaspoon at a time. You want it thick enough to coat the cookie nicely without running off the sides. If it feels too thick, a tiny splash of milk (like half a teaspoon!) should do the trick.

How do I get the frosting to set quickly?

The best way to get the frosting to set is simply to let the cookies cool completely before decorating, as we talked about. Once frosted, leave them undisturbed on the cooling racks in a cool, dry place for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Avoid the fridge, as condensation can make the frosting sticky. They’ll firm up all on their own!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a rough idea here, but each of these adorable Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies is estimated to have around 180 calories. That includes about 8g of fat and 25g of carbs per cookie. Remember, these numbers are just an estimate and can change depending on exactly what you use for decorations and how big you make your snowmen!