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Dec 4, 2023

Dec 2, 2023

Last updated on December 4th, 2023 at 12:00 pm

Melted Snowman Cookies Recipe

Name: Melted Snowman Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 16 round sugar cookies (store-bought or homemade); 2 1/2 cups royal icing (store-bought or homemade); 16 marshmallows (cut in half if needed); 16 orange sprinkles; M&Ms (different colors); black gel food coloring (or store bought black icing tube)

Melted Snowman Cookies are easy and fun to make and delicious to eat, this is a great recipe to make with the kids and serve for the holidays. These adorable, melted snowman cookies are also perfect for a holiday party at work or school, or to give as gifts. Buttery sugar cookies, marshmallows, and sweet icing with the M&M candies make these melting snowmen delicious and one of the easiest Christmas Cookies! Take a look at our Christmas recipes for more inspiration!

overhead shot of a plate with melted snowman cookies and Christmas tree cookies

Cookie decorating goes back to the 1300s when the Dutch started decorating cookies for the holidays. Cookie cutters came out in the late 1800s. Queen Elizabeth the First was the first one to make gingerbread men. The cookies were decorated in the shapes of her favorite attendants. Also, Dutch children used large cutout cookies for window decorations.

a plate with sugar cookies icing marshmallows and m&ms on a table

Ingredients needed:

Sugar cookies: You can use store-bought or make your own from scratch.
Marshmallows: Cut in half to look like a snowman’s head.
M&M’s: For the snowman buttons.
Black gel food color: To make the eyes, mouth, and arms. We used gel food coloring for ours because you do not have to use as much so it does not make the icing too runny.
Long orange sprinkles: For making the nose.
Royal icing: Royal icing is a thin icing made from powdered sugar, egg whites, and clear vanilla extract that hardens when dry. You can use store-bought icing if you like.

collage of four showing how to make melted snowman cookies

How to make melted snowman cookies from scratch?

Make the icing: First, make your royal icing in a large bowl. Then, separate it evenly into two medium bowls Use black gel coloring to dye half of it. Thin to 15-second consistency and add it to a piping bag.
Thin it out: Now, thin out the rest of the icing to a 10-second consistency and put it in a piping bag.
Frost cookies: Next, frost the cookies with white icing, letting it drip over the sides. If you are using homemade cookies, make sure they are cool. You want completely cooled cookies, so they are set and do not absorb the frosting.
Decorate snowman cookies: Immediately place the marshmallow on the top of the cookie and gently press down. Add M&M candies and make black stick arms float away from the head. Place it on a baking sheet before making the remaining cookies.
Let them dry: Then, let the frosted cookies dry for 20 to 30 minutes before adding the eyes and mouth. Use some leftover icing to attach the orange sprinkle for a carrot nose.
Serve or store: Last, the finished cookies can be served right away or stored for later.

close shot of melted snowman cookies on a plate with candy cane next to it

Recipe variations:

Chocolate chips: You can use miniature chocolate chips for the buttons instead of M&M’s. Or you can use black gel coloring.
Other cookies: Instead of sugar cookies, you can use peanut butter cookies, shortbread, or even oatmeal cookies.
Peanut butter cup: For even more cute cookies, use a peanut butter cup for a snowman hat.
Add extract: Add a bit of vanilla or almond extract to the icing for extra flavor. You could even use maple, birthday cake, or even peppermint extract.
No sprinkles: Make orange frosting with orange food coloring instead of using sprinkles to make the nose.
White chocolate chips: You could also use melted white chocolate chips instead of icing. Just melt them in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
Premade cookie dough: If you want to use the premade cookie dough, just cook them according to the package directions.
No eggs: Use meringue powder instead of egg whites if you do not want to use eggs.

melted snowman cookies on a serving plate

Frequently asked questions

What is 10-second consistency?

To test your royal icing for consistency, run the tip of a butter knife through the icing about an inch deep. If it smooths over in 10 seconds, that is 10-second consistency. Same for 15-second icing. The thicker icing is better for outlining and making designs like the snowmen’s arms, eyes, and mouths. The thinner consistency is better for making the melted snow look.

How do I make my own cookies?

Mix flour, baking powder, salted butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and milk to make cookie dough. To make them into shapes, roll out cookie dough onto a lightly floured surface and use cookie cutters to make whatever shapes you like. For this recipe, you just need round ones. Then, cook on ungreased cookie sheets (using cooking spray is fine too) in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are light golden. Let them cool on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before decorating.

Can I use granulated sugar for the frosting?

While you can use regular white granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar for the icing, the texture will not be the same. The granules in the sugar will give your icing a gritty or bumpy look so the cookies are not smooth and shiny like a melted snowman. If you use granulated, use one cup per every 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.

a stack of melted snowman cookies recipe with more cookies in the background

How to store leftovers:

Store: Store unused icing in the fridge for up to a week. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Freeze: You can also freeze your leftover cookies in a freezer bag for up to three months. Wrap them in plastic wrap first to prevent them from getting freezer burn. Icing can be frozen for up to two months.
Thaw: For the best flavor and consistency, thaw frozen leftovers in the refrigerator overnight.

More Christmas cookies to make:

Recipe tips:

Microwave the marshmallow to make it look like the snowman is melting. Just put them on a microwave-safe plate and set it for 20 to 30 seconds.
Place your decorated cookies on a parchment-paper-covered large baking sheet or two ungreased baking sheets to dry.
Melted snowmen go great with gingerbread men and other decorated cookies.
You could ice your cookie first and then put the marshmallow on before microwaving the entire cookie.
Instead of royal icing, you can just use regular white cookie icing. Betty Crocker is a great name brand. Remember to thin it out first and carefully spread it onto the cookies.
Shorten prep time. These adorable cookies can be made in minutes if you use store-bought cookies and frosting.
Make these fun cookies with the kids and let them make their designs. Each melted snowman cookie can have its look with different faces and buttons.