How to make melting snowman cookies. These adorable Christmas cookies are easier to make than they look, and they are fun for holiday parties. Kids can help make them, and you can even make them with store bought cookies and icing if you are short on time or just don't want to cook from scratch.

Melting Snowman Cookies Recipe

Name: Melting Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 1 h 8 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups sifted all purpose flour; 1 cup butter; 1 cup sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 egg, light beated; 3 tablespoons cream (can also use whole milk); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon cream (can also use whole milk); Chocolate chips or chocolate melting wafers; Skittles or M and M candies; 30 to 35 maarshmallows

I'm not sure where the melting snowman sugar cookies originated, but I've seen them on Pinterest for a few years. This year, I decided to make my own version.

I'm serving them at a holiday party, so I made my famous soft sugar cookie recipe per request. However, you can definitely use store bought dough or even round sugar cookies from the bakery.

Everyone will be so impressed with the design of these melting snowman Christmas cookies, they won't care if you took a shortcut.

It will be our secret, I promise.

For more Christmas recipes, check out these posts:

What Cookies Can I Use for a Melting Snowman Cookies Recipe?

I used a soft sugar cookie, but you can make melted snowman cookies easy by using premade cookies. Most bakeries and grocery stores sell sugar cookies during the holidays.

You can also use a sugar cookie mix or buy refrigerated sugar cookie dough.

You aren't limited to sugar cookies, however. You can use peanut butter cookies or chocolate cookies. I haven't seen them made with lemon cookies, but these lemon almond cookies would also be a great choice.

You could also make melting snowman cupcakes by using your favorite cupcake recipe.

Icing for Melting Snowman Christmas Cookies

I used a simple icing recipe to decorate my melting snowman cookies homemade. It's like a royal icing because it is fairly thin.

You do want to use a thinner icing and not a frosting because you want it to puddle like a melting snowman.

However, if you want to use a store bought frosting or your favorite frosting recipe, I recommend microwaving it for about 30 seconds. This will make it thin so it will spread. When it cools, it will set up.

Wilton also has a ready to use royal icing or try a royal icing mix.

You can also use melted white chocolate candy melts instead of using a frosting. I really like the Wilton Melt and Decorate Bottle for melting snowman cookies homemade.

Decorations for Melted Snowman Cookies Easy

There are so many ways to decorate these adorable melting snowman Christmas cookies! I used melted chocolate and a small tip in a decorating bag. You can also use a chocolate decorating pen with melted chocolate.

You can also use writing gel to create a scarf and buttons.

You can also use edible markers. However, they will only work on the marshmallows and won't have a clean edge to the writing. If kids are decorating the melting snowman Christmas cookies, markers may be easier.

I used Skittles for the buttons on the snowman. My kids like Skittles, so that's what we use. You can also use M and M candies or just use icing.

You could also use pieces from this snowman cookie decoration mix.

How to Store Melted Snowman Cookies Easy

You can make this melting snowman cookies recipe and store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I recommend storing them on the counter.

Moisture from the fridge can cause them to get soggy and the icing colors to bleed.

For best results, I recommend making them no more than one day before you plan to serve them.

Melting Snowman Cookies Homemade Ingredients

You will need the following to make melting snowman sugar cookies:

3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 cup butter (how to make butter from cream)
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, light beated
3 tablespoons cream (can also use whole milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (make vanilla extract from vanilla beans or make Instant Pot vanilla extract)

You will need the following ingredients for the decorations:

1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon cream (can also use whole milk)
Chocolate chips or chocolate melting wafers
Skittles or M and M candies
30 to 35 marshmallows

How to Make Melting Snowman Cookies

Step #1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step #2

In a large bowl, sift together all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in the butter and use a pastry blender to combine until the mixture looks like cornmeal. Then stir in the lightly beaten egg, vanilla extract, and cream. Stir well. Chill dough if desired.

Step #3

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/8 inch thick. Sprinkle with sugar and use cookie cutters to cut out cookies. You can use a cup for a round sugar cookie.

Step #4

Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6 to 8 minutes. They are done with they are lightly browned. Keep an eye on them because they will brown quickly. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Step #5

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the icing. Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a bowl and stir until combined. You can also use cream in place of the lemon juice.

Step #6

Place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Add cream and melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals.

Step #7

Use the melted chocolate to draw a face on the marshmallows.

Step #8

Spread icing on the cooled sugar cookies. Let it puddle over the cookie to look like a melting snowman. Place the decorated marshmallow on top of the icing. Add Skittles or M and M candies or candy sprinkles for buttons.

Step #9

Use the melted chocolate to add twigs for arms. You can also add a scarf with colored icing if desired.

How cute are these melting snowman sugar cookies? The kids just love them! I hope you enjoy making them.