Introduction

These Melting Snowman Cookies are a fun and festive treat perfect for winter gatherings. Soft sugar cookies topped with marshmallow snowmen bring a playful twist to classic holiday baking. They’re both delightful to make and delicious to eat!

The image shows several snowman-shaped cookies arranged on a wooden board. Each cookie has a pale beige base layer, topped with smooth white icing that is shaped like a melting snowman body. On top of each body is a large white marshmallow acting as the snowman’s head. The heads are decorated with small black dots for eyes and mouth and a small orange dot for a carrot nose. A thin red icing line wraps around the base of the marshmallow to look like a scarf. Brown icing is used to create stick-like arms and three buttons on the snowman’s body. The background is a soft, out-of-focus green, adding a cozy feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups (227g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (260g) powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons water
Black, orange, brown, and red gel food coloring
12 large marshmallows
Mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract, then whisk to combine thoroughly.
Step 4: Mix in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until you get a smooth, streak-free dough. If it feels sticky, chill it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Step 5: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, rotating to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Cut dough into 2 or 3 inch circles using a cookie cutter. Transfer cutouts carefully onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 7: Re-roll scraps and cut out remaining cookies until you have about 12 total.
Step 8: Bake in the center of the oven for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: For the icing, whisk powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons water until smooth; add more water gradually to get a glue-like consistency.
Step 10: Divide icing into portions and color black, red, brown, and orange with gel food coloring. Adjust thickness by adding powdered sugar if needed. Transfer to piping bags with small cut tips.
Step 11: Optionally, trim about 1/4 inch off the bottom of each marshmallow with scissors for shorter snowman heads.
Step 12: Pipe black dots on marshmallows for eyes and mouths, and a small orange dot for the nose.
Step 13: Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon of plain white icing onto each cooled cookie and spread it messily to resemble melting snow.
Step 14: Press a marshmallow head gently onto each cookie to stick in place. Add mini chocolate chips for snowman buttons.
Step 15: Let the icing set for 10-15 minutes. Once firm, pipe on stick arms and scarves around the marshmallow heads using the colored icings.
Step 16: Serve and enjoy your charming Melting Snowman Cookies!

Tips & Variations

Chilling the cookie dough helps prevent sticking and makes rolling easier.
Use gel food coloring to keep icings vibrant without thinning them too much.
Swap mini chocolate chips for small candies or edible pearls for unique button decorations.
If marshmallows are too tall, trimming makes the snowmen look more balanced.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The icing may soften over time, so it’s best enjoyed fresh. You can also refrigerate them to help set the decorations longer, but bring to room temperature before serving. Reheating is not recommended as it may melt the marshmallows and icing.

How to Serve

The image shows several snowman-shaped cookies on a wooden board with a white marbled texture underneath. Each cookie has two main layers: the bottom is a light yellow cake base, soft and crumbly, and on top there is a thick white icing layer that forms the snowman's body. On the icing, small chocolate chips act as buttons and arms, placed on either side. Each snowman's head is a white marshmallow standing up, decorated with a small orange candy nose and black dots for eyes and a mouth, made from icing. Around the marshmallow’s base, there is a thin red icing scarf tied neatly. One cookie is cut in half, showing the soft inside and toasted edges of the cake beneath the icing. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before rolling and baking. This helps develop flavor and makes handling easier.

What if I don’t have gel food coloring?

Regular liquid food coloring can be used, but it may thin the icing more. Add extra powdered sugar to balance the consistency for piping.