If you’re looking for a delightful treat that’s simple to make yet incredibly satisfying, you’re going to love this Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe. These cookies are buttery, light, and just the right amount of sweet—perfect for when you want a quick homemade dessert that’s both budget-friendly and impressive without any fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: Just five simple ingredients stand between you and a batch of these delicious snowballs.
- Buttery and Light Texture: The combination of butter and sweetened condensed milk makes these cookies melt in your mouth.
- Customizable: Toss in your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips or cranberries for a personal twist.
- Budget Friendly: No fancy ingredients—but tons of flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in the Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe plays a vital role in bringing together the perfect balance of flavor and texture, so you’ll want to choose quality basics and keep it simple for best results.
- Butter: Use softened, unsalted butter to ensure your cookies turn out creamy and rich without being overly salty.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is the star ingredient that adds sweetness and moisture—don’t substitute unless you want a texture change.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure for these tender cookies; spoon it into your measuring cup for accuracy.
- Baking powder: Helps these snowballs puff up just enough to keep them soft and light.
- Confectioner’s sugar: For that snowy-looking finish and a delicate sweetness on top.
Variations
What’s fun about this Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe is how easily you can make it your own by adding flavors and mix-ins. I love experimenting because it keeps me excited about this simple cookie!
- Chocolate chips: Adding semi-sweet or white chocolate chips in place of plain dough brings a melty surprise in every bite—my family goes wild for this twist.
- Dried cranberries or cherries: For a chewy burst of tartness, toss in a handful; it’s especially nice during holiday baking.
- Vanilla or almond extract: I usually add up to 2 teaspoons of extract during the wet mixing stage to give my snowballs a cozy, fragrant lift.
- Nut toppings: For a little crunch, roll the formed dough balls in finely chopped nuts before baking.
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter Until Fluffy
Start with softened butter in your mixing bowl. I use an electric mixer on medium speed and beat for about three minutes until the butter turns pale and creamy. This step is important because it traps air that helps your snowballs bake up light and tender. Don’t rush it—if the butter isn’t softened enough, the texture won’t be right.
Step 2: Slowly Incorporate Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and continue beating for two more minutes. This ingredient adds both moisture and sweetness, so I find that mixing it well into the butter gives the base a wonderful richness. If you want to enhance flavor, this is also the time to add your vanilla or almond extract—just don’t go over two teaspoons or you could overpower the delicate sweetness.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Carefully
Scrape down your bowl to make sure everything blends evenly, then add the flour and baking powder. Beat on low speed or stir gently by hand until all the flour is incorporated and you have a smooth dough. If you want to mix in any extras like chocolate chips or dried fruit, this is when you fold them in—but keep it to about a cup total to maintain the batter’s consistency.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake Your Snowballs
Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave at least two inches of space between each mound so they can expand without sticking together. Bake in a preheated oven at 320°F (160°C) for 12 minutes. The cookies won’t brown much, but they’ll be set and slightly puffed when ready.
Step 5: Cool and Dust with Sugar
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the pan for about five minutes—they finish cooking gently while you do. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This pause gives your snowballs the perfect tender texture. Just before serving, sift a generous layer of confectioner’s sugar over the top for that signature snowy look and a slight extra sweetness. Don’t skip this step—it really completes them!
Pro Tips for Making Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Butter: I’ve learned the hard way that cold butter makes it tough to cream properly, affecting the cookie’s texture.
- Don’t Overmix After Adding Flour: Mixing just until combined keeps your cookies tender, not tough.
- Parchment Paper Is a Game Changer: It keeps cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze—I always use it.
- Let Cookies Cool Before Storing: Moisture trapped in warm cookies can make them soggy; cooling them fully prevents this.
How to Serve Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe

Garnishes
I like to dust mine generously with confectioner’s sugar, but you can elevate these by rolling them in finely chopped pistachios or toasted coconut before baking for a pop of color and texture. A light drizzle of melted chocolate can also bring out an elegant vibe if you’re serving for guests.
Side Dishes
These snowballs pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. For a dessert platter, I often serve them alongside fresh berries or whipped cream to add a fresh element and a bit of creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
When I want to make a memorable presentation, I arrange the snowballs in a glass jar or festive tin with ribbons for gifting. You can also stack them on a pretty plate in a pyramid shape sprinkled with extra powdered sugar—looking like a miniature winter wonderland!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, I store my Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to a week, which is impressive for cookies this delicate! I recommend layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen these cookies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container. They keep well for up to two months. When you’re ready, thaw them out on the counter for a few hours before serving—they taste almost as good as fresh-baked!
Reheating
Reheating isn’t often necessary since these cookies are best at room temperature, but if you prefer them warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Just be careful not to overheat, or they’ll dry out.
FAQs
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Can I use salted butter in this Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe?
While salted butter can be used if that’s what you have, the recipe is designed with unsalted butter in mind to control the sweetness balance precisely. Using salted butter may make the cookies taste slightly saltier, so reduce or skip any added salt if you adjust the recipe.
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Is it okay to substitute sweetened condensed milk with evaporated milk?
Evaporated milk lacks the sugar content found in sweetened condensed milk, so substituting will change both sweetness and texture. If you want to experiment, you’d need to add sugar and possibly adjust other ingredients, but for best results, stick with sweetened condensed milk.
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Can I make these snowballs gluten-free?
Yes! Try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup. Keep in mind that texture might be slightly different, but these cookies should still turn out delicious.
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How do I know when Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs are done baking?
Bake until the cookies are set and lightly puffed, usually about 12 minutes at 320°F. They won’t brown much—so look for a soft, pale appearance. Overbaking can lead to dryness, so keep a close eye near the end.
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Can I add flavor extracts or spices?
Absolutely! I recommend adding up to 2 teaspoons of vanilla, almond, or even orange extract when you mix the butter and sweetened condensed milk. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can also add a warm touch if you like.
Final Thoughts
This Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to cookies when I want something homemade that doesn’t require a long ingredient list or complicated steps. I absolutely love how they turn out—delicate, sweet, and buttery. If you’re craving a quick treat to share or gift, give these a try. I’m pretty sure they’ll become a favorite in your kitchen just like they did in mine!
Print
Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Sweetened Condensed Milk Snowballs are delicate, light, and fluffy cookies made with just five simple ingredients. These slightly sweet treats are budget-friendly and easy to make, featuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture dusted generously with confectioner’s sugar for a classic finish.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
Topping
- 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Butter: Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl and beat until light and creamy, about three minutes. This creates a smooth base for your cookie dough.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and beat into the butter for two minutes. If using flavor extracts, add up to 2 teaspoons now to enhance the taste without overpowering.
- Scrape and Beat Again: Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat the mixture for another one to two minutes to ensure even blending of ingredients.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then beat until fully combined with the butter and milk mixture. If desired, fold in up to 1 cup of mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or candies at this stage.
- Portion the Dough: Using a cookie scoop, drop mounds of dough onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing each mound at least two inches apart to allow for expansion during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 320°F (160°C) for 12 minutes until lightly golden and set.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the tray from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for five minutes so they firm up slightly without breaking.
- Transfer and Dust with Sugar: Move the cookies to a wire cooling rack and generously sift the confectioner’s sugar over the top. Let the cookies cool completely before storing to preserve texture and flavor.
Notes
- These cookies are lightly sweet and fluffy, starting with a plain appearance but delivering delightful flavor.
- Perfect for a budget-friendly treat requiring minimal ingredients and effort.
- Flavor extracts like vanilla or almond can be added but should be kept under 2 teaspoons to avoid overpowering the delicate dough.
- Add-ins such as chocolate chips or dried fruit can be included up to 1 cup for variety.
- Ensure cookies are fully cooled before storing to prevent sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 149 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

