These Snow Globe Cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies topped with creamy vanilla frosting and the cutest edible holiday decorations. Each cookie is finished with a clear ornament dome to create a magical, bakery-style snow globe effect. They’re easy to make, incredibly festive, and guaranteed to steal the show at any holiday gathering.

Side angle of christmas snow globe cookies with gingerbread house in background.

Snow Globe Cookies Recipe

These Snow Globe Cookies are straight-up holiday magic. Soft, thick sugar cookies covered in fluffy vanilla frosting and decorated like the cutest little edible winter wonderlands.

They look fancy, but they’re secretly so easy — the kind of cookie that makes everyone think you spent hours piping tiny details when you absolutely did not.

They’re the perfect Christmas party cookie, a fun family baking project, or the thing you make at 10 p.m. because you’re feeling festive and unhinged.

Big bakery vibes. Maximum holiday charm. Zero stress.

If you love this holiday cookie recipe you may also enjoy my Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies or my Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge.

Front facing view of a cookie with vanilla icing and little red bows on top with rosemary for trees.

Simple Ingredients You Need For The Snow Globe Cookies

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make the sugar cookie dough (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post):

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Butter, softened
White sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
Buttermilk (or regular milk)
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Heavy cream or whole milk
Edible Christmas decoration candy (snowmen, mini gingerbread men, Santas, trees, snowflakes)
White sprinkles
Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)
Clear plastic half-ornaments

Top down view of 3 sugar cookies on wooden cutting board.

How To Make

Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and mix until combined. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and buttermilk.
Slowly add the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
Roll into roughly 12 balls, spacing them out on the baking sheet.
Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
In the final minutes, gently press down the cookies with a spatula to flatten them.
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the icing – beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, scraping the bowl as needed. Then mix in the vanilla extract.
Add heavy cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
Spread a thick layer of frosting on each cookie to create a snowy base. Then add white sprinkles.
While the frosting is still soft, add your edible decorations — mini snowmen, Santas, trees, snowflakes… whatever vibe you’re going for.
Add tiny sprigs of fresh rosemary to mimic miniature Christmas trees. The pop of natural green makes each snow globe look extra magical.
Once everything is positioned, place a clear plastic half-ornament on top of each cookie.
Gently press and hold for about a minute to secure it to the frosting.

Side angle of vanilla buttercream frosting in white bowl.

Tips And Tricks For Best Results

Use softened butter for both the cookies and frosting — it changes everything.
Don’t overbake. Slightly underdone = incredibly soft.
Decorate while the frosting is still tacky so everything stays in place.
Add a pinch of edible glitter for actual snow globe sparkle.

Front facing view of snow globe cookies with edible santa and a red bow inside.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Snow Globe Cookies (Christmas Recipe)

Prep Time20

Cook Time9

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cookies

Calories: 428kcal

Author: Bailey Campbell

Ingredients

FOR COOKIES

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup white sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp buttermilk can also use regular 2% milk

FOR VANILLA FROSTING

1 cup unsalted butter softened
4 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp whole milk or regular 2% milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and mix until combined. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and buttermilk.
Slowly add the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
Roll into roughly 12 balls, spacing them out on the baking sheet.
Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. In the final minutes, gently press down the cookies with a spatula to flatten them.
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the icing – beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, scraping the bowl as needed. Then mix in the vanilla extract.
Add heavy cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
Spread a thick layer of frosting on each cookie to create a snowy base. Then add white sprinkles.
While the frosting is still soft, add your edible decorations — mini snowmen, Santas, trees, snowflakes… whatever vibe you’re going for.
Add tiny sprigs of fresh rosemary to mimic miniature Christmas trees. The pop of natural green makes each snow globe look extra magical.
Once everything is positioned, place a clear plastic half-ornament on top of each cookie. Gently press and hold for about a minute to secure it to the frosting.

Nutrition

The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on @basicswithbails

Storing Leftovers

Store unstacked or with parchment between layers. Keep in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Best served the day you decorate them.

A Few More Adorable Christmas Cookies To Bring To Your Next Holiday Party!

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