Name: Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup shortening; 1 cup sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 cup Greek yogurt; 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup butter; 3 tablespoons milk; 2 teaspoons coconut extract; 1 cup shredded coconut

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 50 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that brings together the softness of a classic snowball with tropical flair, then the Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These delightful treats combine tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough with a luscious, fluffy cream frosting infused with coconut flavor, finished off with a generous coating of shredded coconut. Perfect for holiday gatherings, casual get-togethers, or just a special treat for yourself, this recipe offers a wonderful balance of sweetness and texture in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows seven small clear glass bowls placed on a white marbled surface. Two sticks of pale yellow butter rest on white parchment paper on the left. Moving right, there's a small bowl of white granulated sugar, a larger bowl filled with white flour, a medium bowl with chopped nuts having a light brown and beige color, a small bowl with white powdered sugar, a tiny bowl containing fine white salt, and a small bowl with light brown vanilla extract. The arrangement is neat and evenly spaced. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe plays a crucial role in creating that perfect harmony of flavor and texture. From the rich creaminess of shortening to the tangy creaminess of Greek yogurt, and the fragrant coconut extract that brightens the whole cookie, these staples are simple yet essential.

Shortening: Provides a tender, soft texture that helps the cookies maintain their shape without becoming tough.
Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with the cookie’s light golden color.
Egg: Binds all the ingredients together for the perfect structure.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor base with subtle warmth and depth.
Flour: The backbone that gives the cookie its chewy, soft body.
Salt: Amplifies all the other flavors beautifully.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise ever so slightly while keeping them soft.
Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang, balancing the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: Key for creating that smooth, fluffy cream frosting.
Butter: Adds richness and creaminess to the frosting for luscious coverage.
Milk: Creates the perfect consistency for spreading the frosting.
Coconut extract: Infuses the frosting with that unmistakable tropical flavor.
Shredded coconut: Finishes the cookies with chewy texture and a burst of coconut goodness.

How to Make Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just the right temperature to get the edges nice and golden while keeping the centers soft. Begin mixing the shortening, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until they’re creamed together into a smooth, fluffy base that promises a tender cookie texture.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients and Combine with Wet Mix

Next, sift the flour, salt, and baking soda to ensure there are no lumps and everything is evenly distributed. You’ll gently alternate adding this dry mix with Greek yogurt into your creamed wet ingredients, which keeps the dough moist but sturdy—essential for those perfectly shaped snowball rounds.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Lightly flour your work surface, then roll out the dough to your desired thickness. Using the top of a jar or a biscuit cutter, cut the dough into round cookie shapes. This step is fun and also ensures all your cookies will be uniform, so they bake evenly.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Place the cookie rounds on a baking sheet and bake for exactly 8 minutes. Timing is everything here—too long, and you lose the tender crumb; too short, and they might be doughy. Once out of the oven, transfer your cookies immediately to a cooling rack so they cool evenly without continuing to bake on the hot tray.

Step 5: Mix Up the Coconut Cream Frosting

While your cookies cool, combine powdered sugar, butter, milk, and coconut extract in a medium bowl. Start mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud, then crank it up to high speed until the frosting turns silky smooth and delightfully fluffy, perfect for spreading generously.

Step 6: Frost and Coat with Coconut

Spread a generous layer of this luscious frosting onto each cooled cookie. Then, take a small bowl filled with shredded coconut and gently press the frosting side of the cookie down into it. This coating step adds that irresistible coconut texture and enhances the tropical flavor profile to delicious effect.

How to Serve Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe

The image shows several round cookies with three layers visible: a light brown crispy cookie as the base, a thick white creamy filling in the middle, and a top layer of white shredded coconut evenly covering the top surface of each cookie. Some cookies are stacked in pairs, highlighting the thickness of the creamy layer between the cookies. They are placed on a metal wire cooling rack, which sits on a white marbled surface. In the background, a white bowl and a white ramekin filled with shredded coconut can be seen, slightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

If you want to elevate your cookies even further, try sprinkling a tiny pinch of toasted coconut or a few flakes of white chocolate on top after the frosting sets. These little touches add both visual appeal and layers of flavor, perfect for impressing guests or making everyday treats feel special.

Side Dishes

Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe pairs beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea or a creamy latte. Their subtle sweetness and coconut infusion also complement fresh tropical fruits like mango or pineapple, turning your snack time into a little tropical escape.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or parties, arrange these cookies on a layered cake stand or wrap them in parchment paper tied with twine for a rustic charm. You could also sandwich the frosting between two cookies to create delightful coconut cream cookie sandwiches that are sure to be a hit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe cookies are fully cooled and frosted, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to three days, making them perfect to bake ahead and enjoy throughout the week.

Freezing

If you want to make these cookies in advance, you can freeze the baked, unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet; once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw them completely before applying the frosting and coconut coating for best results.

Reheating

To enjoy your cookies just-baked warm, pop a frosted cookie into the microwave for about 10 seconds. This briefly softens the cookie and frosting, delivering a cozy, melt-in-your-mouth treat that feels just out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I substitute butter for shortening in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute butter for shortening if you prefer a richer flavor, but keep in mind the texture might be a bit less tender and the cookies may spread more during baking.

Why is Greek yogurt used in the dough?

Greek yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness, enhancing the softness and giving the cookies a subtle depth of flavor.

Is it necessary to sift the dry ingredients?

Sifting helps remove lumps and evenly distributes the baking soda and salt, ensuring a consistent texture and rise throughout your cookies.

Can I use sweetened shredded coconut instead of unsweetened?

Yes, but since sweetened coconut adds extra sugar, you might want to slightly reduce the powdered sugar in your frosting if you prefer a less sweet finish.

How thick should I roll out the dough?

About 1/4 inch thick is ideal. This thickness allows the cookies to bake through while staying soft and tender without becoming too dense.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cookie that’s both classic and tropical, the Snowball Cookies with Coconut and Cream Frosting Recipe is an absolute must-try. Its luscious textures and flavors will quickly become a favorite not only for you but for anyone lucky enough to get a bite. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll be reaching for them again and again!