Buttery Snowman Cookies with Marshmallow Heads
Sunny Day Snowman Cookies are whimsical sugar cookies decorated as cheerful snowmen using marshmallows for heads and vanilla candy coating for details. These soft, buttery cookies start with creamed butter and sugar, then are topped with melted white coating and a puffy marshmallow to create a whimsical winter character. The combination of tender cookie base, sweet marshmallow crown, and colorful candies makes these visually charming and kid-friendly. What makes this version special is the use of cream of tartar for extra tenderness and the simple assembly method that turns plain cookies into decorated characters in minutes. Perfect for children's parties, holiday gatherings, or winter celebrations, these cookies offer both novelty and flavor. The marshmallow head and candy coating provide textural contrast against the soft cookie. Ideal for bakers seeking creative presentation with minimal decorating skill required.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon cream of tartarlemon juice1/2 teaspoon per teaspoon tartarpantry swapdairy-free
similar acid function for tenderness
Full guide → - 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cup all-purpose flourgluten-free blend1:1gluten-freegluten-free
may require 1-2 tablespoons extra liquid
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 ounce vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark)white chocolate1:1texture change
white chocolate requires tempering; coating easier
- 24 marshmallows
- decorator candies, as desired(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 375°F.
- 2
Beat granulated sugar, butter, and brown sugar in a bowl at medium speed until well mixed.
- 3
Add eggs, cream of tartar, and vanilla, beating until well mixed.
- 4
Add flour, baking soda, and salt, beating at low speed until well mixed.
- 5
Shape dough into balls.
- 6
Place onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- 7
Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
- 8
Cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
- 9
Melt candy coating according to package directions.
- 10
For each snowman, spread melted candy coating in the center of a cookie to resemble melting snow.
- 11
Place a marshmallow onto the cookie for the head.
- 12
Decorate as desired with face, scarf, buttons, and arms using decorator candies and additional candy coating to attach pieces as needed.
- 13
Repeat with remaining cookies and decorations, reheating candy coating as necessary.
Tips
Shape dough into uniform balls for even baking and consistent cookie size. Use a cookie scoop for precision, ensuring all cookies bake in the same 10-12 minute window without over or underbaking.
Work with one snowman at a time during decoration. The candy coating sets quickly, so assembling cookies in batches prevents reheating delays and ensures marshmallows stick securely before decorations are added.
Chill unbaked dough for 30 minutes before shaping if it feels too soft. Cream of tartar prevents spreading, but cool dough shapes more easily and bakes more evenly.
Good to Know
Store cooled decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep undecorated baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days before decorating.
Bake cookies up to 2 days ahead and store undecorated. Decorate with marshmallows and candy coating 1-2 hours before serving. Do not refrigerate decorated cookies as moisture affects marshmallows.
Serve at room temperature. Display on a tiered stand or platter for visual impact. Pair with hot chocolate or milk for children's parties and winter gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Overbake cookies to avoid them becoming hard and dry. Test at 10 minutes; edges should be lightly browned while centers remain slightly soft.
Skip cooling completely before decorating to avoid melting marshmallows and sliding decorations. Patience prevents wastage.
Use cold candy coating to avoid softening the cookie base. Reheat coating gently to maintain proper consistency for assembly.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
similar acid function for tenderness
Full guide →Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
may require 1-2 tablespoons extra liquid
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make these cookies ahead and freeze them?
Yes, freeze undecorated baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating. Do not freeze decorated snowmen as marshmallows and candy coating will not freeze well and may separate.
What if I don't have cream of tartar?
Substitute 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar for each teaspoon of cream of tartar. This provides the acid needed for cookie tenderness. Mix with a small amount of the dry ingredients first to distribute evenly.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Decorated snowman cookies keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Marshmallows and candy coating may soften slightly over time. Store undecorated baked cookies separately for up to 7 days if not using immediately.