Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies topped with glossy white chocolate and decorated like adorable melted snowmen — these treats are as fun to make as they are to eat. The rich, nutty cookie base pairs perfectly with creamy sweetness on top, creating a bakery-style dessert that feels festive and homemade at the same time.


Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or a cozy afternoon in the kitchen with kids, these Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies bring smiles every single time. They look impressive, but the process is simple and beginner-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies
- Soft and chewy centers with lightly crisp edges
- Rich peanut butter flavor in every bite
- Fun and festive decorating that’s perfect for kids
- Easy to customize with different candies and expressions
- Makes a beautiful addition to holiday dessert trays
How Do You Get the Perfect Soft Peanut Butter Cookie Texture?
The key to achieving that soft, bakery-style texture is not overbaking the cookies. Peanut butter cookies continue to firm up as they cool. Pull them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. Letting them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes helps lock in that chewy texture.
Using creamy peanut butter (not natural-style that separates) also ensures the dough holds together properly and creates consistent results.
Ingredients

Before you start baking, gather everything you’ll need. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect cookie texture and flavor.
- Creamy peanut butter – provides rich flavor and soft texture
- Unsalted butter – adds structure and enhances flavor
- Brown sugar – keeps the cookies moist and chewy
- Granulated sugar – adds sweetness and slight crispness
- Eggs – bind the dough and provide structure
- Vanilla extract – deepens and balances the sweetness
- All-purpose flour – gives the cookies structure
- Baking soda – helps the cookies rise properly
- Salt – enhances overall flavor
- White chocolate or candy melts – creates the “melted snow” topping
- Mini chocolate chips – used for eyes and buttons
- Orange candy pieces – form the snowman noses
- Holiday sprinkles – add color and festive detail
How To Make the Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies
Preparing these cookies is simple and fun. Follow the steps below for perfect results.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Cream together the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into evenly sized balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Slightly flatten each ball. Bake until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Step 4: Create the Melted Snow Effect
Melt the white chocolate until smooth. Spoon a generous amount onto the center of each cooled cookie and gently spread it outward to resemble melting snow.
Step 5: Decorate the Snowmen
While the white chocolate is still soft, place mini chocolate chips for the eyes and buttons, add an orange candy piece for the nose, and finish with sprinkles for scarves or festive accents. Let the chocolate set completely before serving.
Serving Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies
This recipe makes 18 cookies and comfortably serves about 9 people, assuming two cookies per serving. They’re perfect for holiday dessert boards, cookie exchanges, classroom parties, or gifting in decorative tins.
Serve them with hot cocoa, coffee, or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate cozy treat.
Storing Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to protect the decorations.
For longer storage, freeze the undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and decorate fresh before serving for the best appearance.
Avoid refrigerating fully decorated cookies unless your kitchen is very warm, as condensation can affect the white chocolate finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use natural peanut butter?
It’s best to use standard creamy peanut butter. Natural peanut butter that separates can change the texture of the dough and cause spreading issues.
2. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes. You can bake the cookies a day or two in advance and decorate them the day you plan to serve them.
3. What if I don’t have orange candy for the noses?
You can use small pieces of orange fondant, colored icing, or even cut tiny triangles from soft candies.
4. How do I prevent the white chocolate from seizing?
Melt it slowly using short intervals in the microwave or over a double boiler. Avoid letting water come into contact with the chocolate.
5. Can kids help decorate these cookies?
Absolutely. Decorating is the most fun part and perfect for little hands. Just supervise when melting the chocolate.
Want More Cookie Ideas?
If you love these Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies, you’ll probably enjoy these sweet favorites too:
- Small Batch Almond Joy Cookies for a coconut-chocolate twist.
- Chocolate Snowball Cookies with White Chocolate Center for another festive winter treat.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Haystacks for an easy no-bake option.
- No Bake Samoa Cookies when you want something quick and indulgent.
- Peanut Butter Icing if you love rich peanut flavor in desserts.
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Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add extra sprinkles or personalize each snowman face? I love seeing your creative touches and answering any baking questions you may have.
Print
The Best Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and chewy peanut butter cookies topped with creamy white chocolate and decorated like adorable melted snowmen. These festive holiday cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas dessert trays, easy dessert ideas, and fun baking projects with kids. With rich peanut butter flavor and a smooth sweet topping, this easy recipe is a must-try for your holiday baking list and cozy winter food ideas.
Ingredients
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
36 mini chocolate chips
18 orange candy pieces
2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Roll dough into 18 equal balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each ball.
6. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are set and centers are still soft. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Melt white chocolate chips in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each interval until smooth.
8. Spoon melted white chocolate over each cooled cookie and gently spread outward to create a melted snow effect.
9. Immediately decorate each cookie with 2 mini chocolate chips for eyes, 1 orange candy piece for the nose, and additional mini chocolate chips as buttons. Add sprinkles while chocolate is still soft.
10. Allow chocolate to set completely before serving.
Notes
Do not overbake the cookies. They should look slightly soft in the center when removed from the oven, as they will continue to firm up while cooling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, melted snowman cookies, christmas cookies, holiday dessert, easy cookie recipe, festive baking

