Name: Winter Blizzard Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

These soft, chewy cookies with white chocolate chips and a dusting of powdered sugar are perfect for cozy winter days and holiday gatherings. The delicate powdered sugar topping resembles freshly fallen snow, making these treats as beautiful as they are delicious.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Winter Blizzard Cookies are the perfect winter treat that brings comfort and joy with every bite. The combination of buttery cookie dough, sweet white chocolate chips, and a light dusting of powdered sugar creates a cookie that's both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. They're simple to make but impressive enough for holiday cookie exchanges and festive gatherings. The hint of cinnamon adds a warm, cozy element that perfectly complements cold winter days, while the soft, chewy texture makes them impossible to eat just one.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted butter forms the foundation of these cookies, creating a rich, tender texture. Using softened butter allows it to cream properly with the sugars, incorporating air for the perfect cookie structure.

Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create those slightly crisp edges that contrast beautifully with the soft centers.

Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that deepens the overall taste profile of the cookies. The molasses content in brown sugar also contributes to their chewy texture.

Eggs bind the ingredients together while adding moisture and structure. They're essential for the cookies' soft yet sturdy consistency.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the cookie, adding warmth and depth that makes these cookies truly special.

All-purpose flour provides the structure needed for the cookies to hold their shape while remaining tender. Measuring it correctly (by spooning and leveling) ensures your cookies won't be too dry or too wet.

Baking soda acts as the leavening agent, helping the cookies rise slightly while baking and creating that perfect texture.

Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile. Even in sweet treats, this small amount makes a big difference.

Ground cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic quality that makes these cookies feel especially cozy and perfect for winter. It pairs beautifully with the white chocolate.

White chocolate chips create pockets of creamy sweetness throughout each cookie. Their vanilla notes complement the buttery cookie base wonderfully.

Powdered sugar creates the "blizzard" effect when dusted over the cooled cookies, resembling a light snowfall and adding a touch of extra sweetness to each bite.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Gently fold in the white chocolate chips.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
Once completely cool, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 18 cookies. The preparation time is about 10 minutes, and the cooking time is 10 minutes, for a total time of 20 minutes. Each cookie contains approximately 160 calories.

Variations

Chocolate Snowstorm: Substitute dark or milk chocolate chips for the white chocolate for a different flavor profile while maintaining the snowy appearance with powdered sugar.

Nutty Blizzard: Add ½ cup of chopped macadamia nuts, pecans, or walnuts to the dough for added texture and flavor.

Cranberry Winter Cookies: Mix in ⅓ cup of dried cranberries along with the white chocolate chips for a festive red and white appearance and a tangy contrast.

Peppermint Blizzard: Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes (about ¼ cup) for a holiday-themed variation.

Orange Spice Variation: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest and increase the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon for a warming citrus-spice flavor.

Coconut Flurry: Mix in ½ cup of shredded coconut for a tropical twist on this winter classic.

Storage/Reheating

Short-term Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent the powdered sugar from transferring and keeping the cookies from sticking together.

Long-term Storage: These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months. Note that the powdered sugar may absorb moisture during freezing, so you might want to add a fresh dusting after thawing.

Thawing: Allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. For a fresh-baked taste, warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes.

Cookie Dough: You can also freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Place them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Refreshing: To refresh slightly stale cookies, warm them in the microwave for 8-10 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 3 minutes. Add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar after warming if needed.

FAQs

Why did my cookies spread too much?

Cookies spreading too much usually indicates that the butter was too warm or that there wasn't enough flour. Make sure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch. Also, try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! These cookies can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. For the freshest presentation, you might want to add a new dusting of powdered sugar just before serving.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

These cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set but still soft. They might look slightly underbaked in the center, but they'll continue to cook on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but omit the additional salt in the recipe. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the total salt content, but salted butter will work in a pinch.

Why is my powdered sugar disappearing into the cookies?

If you dust the cookies while they're still warm, the powdered sugar can melt and disappear. Make sure the cookies are completely cool before dusting. For a more pronounced snowy effect, dust them a second time just before serving.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts would be delicious additions. Add about ½ cup of chopped nuts when you fold in the white chocolate chips.

How do I store these cookies to keep them soft?

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will release moisture that keeps the cookies soft without making them soggy. Replace the bread slice if it becomes stale.

Can I use a different type of chocolate chip?

Yes! While white chocolate chips create the classic "blizzard" look, you can substitute milk, dark, or even butterscotch chips based on your preference. The cookies will still be delicious.

Why didn't my cookies turn out chewy?

Overbaking is the most common reason for cookies not being chewy. Remember that cookies continue to bake on the hot sheet after removal from the oven. Also, using too much flour can make cookies dry rather than chewy.

Can I make these cookies without cinnamon?

Certainly! The cinnamon adds a warm winter flavor, but the cookies will still be delicious without it. You could also experiment with other spices like nutmeg or cardamom for different flavor profiles.

Conclusion

Winter Blizzard Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they're a celebration of the season's cozy comfort. Their snow-dusted appearance makes them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, winter gatherings, or simply brightening up a cold day. The combination of buttery cookie base, sweet white chocolate chips, and hint of warming cinnamon creates a balanced, irresistible flavor that appeals to all ages.

What makes these cookies truly special is their versatility. Whether you stick with the classic recipe or try one of the suggested variations, these cookies adapt beautifully to your preferences while maintaining their winter charm. Their simple preparation belies their impressive presentation, making them accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

So as snowflakes fall outside your window, why not bring some of that winter magic into your kitchen? Bake a batch of these Winter Blizzard Cookies, pour a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy the sweet comfort they bring to the season.