I first saw a version of these melted snowman cookies online a few years ago and thought they were just the cutest thing. Of course, I couldn’t resist making my own twist, something a little simpler, a little more “Nana-style,” so I could bake them with my grandkids.

Melted snowman cookies decorated with marshmallow heads, icing faces, and colorful candy buttons on a wooden board with bowls of toppings in the background. — Melted snowman cookies — soft sugar cookies make for a fun holiday treat.

We turned it into a mini holiday project one snowy afternoon. The kids loved giving each snowman a different face, some smiling, some looking a little shocked that they were melting away! It was messy, funny, and full of giggles, and now it’s become one of our favorite Christmas traditions.

Finished melted snowman cookies decorated with marshmallow heads, icing arms, and colorful candy buttons on a wooden board. — These easy melted snowman cookies are the perfect fun holiday baking project.

Why You’ll Love These Melted Snowman Cookies

If you’ve ever wanted a Christmas cookie that earns instant smiles, this is it.
Here’s why these little guys are always a hit:

Kid-friendly fun: No fancy piping or royal icing skills required — just spread, stick, and decorate.
Make-ahead easy: Both dough and icing can be prepped in advance, and the cookies freeze beautifully.
Customizable: Swap in gluten-free flour, vegan marshmallows, or even peanut butter dough for a twist.
Photo-ready: They look amazing on holiday trays or wrapped in cellophane for gifts.

Ingredients for Melted Snowman Cookies

This recipe keeps things quick, fun, and kid-friendly — perfect for last-minute baking days or holiday parties when you’ve already got a dozen other things in the oven.

1 (16.5 oz) roll sugar cookie dough
White cookie icing (for the “melted snow”)
Orange cookie icing (for noses)
Black cookie icing (for eyes, mouths, buttons, arms)
16 large marshmallows
32 M&Ms (for colorful buttons — use any mix of red, green, or blue!)

Tip: Let your cookie dough sit out for 10–15 minutes before rolling so it’s easier to handle and doesn’t crack when you cut.

How to Make Melted Snowman Cookies

Prepare the Dough: Preheat the oven and prepare the sugar cookie dough according to the package directions. Arrange the dough portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving ample space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake until the edges are lightly golden. Transfer to a wire rack and allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.

Freshly baked dessert cooling on a wire rack before decorating them.

Create the “Melted Snow” Base: Using a spoon or small offset spatula, spread a generous layer of white cookie icing over each cooled cookie. Gently swirl the icing outward with the back of the spoon or a toothpick to create the appearance of melting snow.

Add the Snowman’s Head: While the icing remains soft, press one large marshmallow onto one side of each cookie to form the snowman’s head. Allow the cookies to rest for several minutes so the icing begins to secure the marshmallow in place.

Desserts topped with white icing and a marshmallow head, showing the first step in decorating.

Treats decorated with white icing, a marshmallow head, and red candy buttons as part of the design.

Add Buttons and Details: Press two M&Ms into the icing beneath the marshmallow to form buttons. Using black cookie icing, pipe two small dots for eyes and a curved line for the mouth. Add a small dot of orange icing in the shape of a carrot nose. Finish by piping black icing arms extending from each side of the “snow puddle.”

Partially decorated melted snowman cookies with marshmallow heads and colorful candy buttons cooling on a wire rack.

Fully decorated melted snowman cookies with marshmallow heads, icing faces, and colorful candy buttons cooling on a wire rack.

Set and Serve: Allow the decorated cookies to rest at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, or until the icing has firmed and set.

Tip: For gifting or transporting, let the icing fully harden before stacking or wrapping. Store in a single layer or between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Melted snowman cookies decorated with marshmallow heads, icing arms, and colorful candy buttons on a wooden board with holiday decor in the background. — These easy Christmas sugar cookies are all dressed up for winter.

Tips for Perfect Melted Snowman Cookies

If your kitchen is warm, chill your marshmallows for 10–15 minutes before decorating. This keeps them firm and helps the “snowman heads” stay in place while the icing sets.
For that perfect puddle shape, slightly underbake your sugar cookies. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, giving you a soft base that spreads just enough to look “melted.”
Add a few drops of peppermint extract or almond flavoring to the icing for a festive twist. You can even use chocolate cookie dough instead of sugar cookie dough for a “muddy snowman” version that kids love.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday platters: Add them to your Christmas cookie tray alongside Soft Sugar Cookies, Peppermint Bark Brownies, or Holiday Fudge for a festive spread.
Cookie swaps or bake sales: Once the icing sets, they’re easy to pack and always get smiles. Try pairing them with Hot Cocoa Cookies or Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats for a kid-favorite combo.
With hot cocoa: The marshmallow tops make them a perfect pairing for cozy mugs of Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix.

Melted snowman cookies decorated with marshmallow heads, icing, and candy buttons arranged on a wooden board. — Melted snowman cookies are a fun and festive holiday treat.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Keep your Christmas snowman cookies fresh, fluffy, and picture-ready with these easy make-ahead tricks:

Room temperature: Store in a single layer (or between sheets of wax paper) in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 1 month. Thaw completely, then decorate so the icing and marshmallows stay smooth.
Gift prep: For holiday gifting, bake and freeze the cookies ahead, then decorate the day before delivery.
Make-ahead: Bake a double batch now and store half plain, the perfect shortcut for last-minute parties.

Tip: Pop a small piece of bread in the container to keep cookies soft, an old-school trick that still works like magic.

FAQ – Melted Snowman Cookies

Absolutely! Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe — just make sure the cookies bake up thick and soft so they hold the decorations well. Let them cool completely before icing.

You can make your own by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of corn syrup. Stir until smooth and pourable — it should be thick enough to hold its shape but still spread easily.

Press the marshmallows onto the cookie while the white icing is still wet. As it sets, it will act like glue. You can also add a tiny dab of icing underneath for extra hold.

Mini chocolate chips, small candy pearls, or even colorful sprinkles work great. Just be sure they’re small enough to sit neatly in the “snow.”

And there you have it, the cutest little snowman cookie recipe you’ll ever bake!
Whether you’re making them for a classroom party, gifting to friends, or just adding a little cheer to your holiday table, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles.

I’d love to know if you try these melted snowman cookies! Leave a comment below and tell me how yours turned out, or save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday board so you can bake them again next year.

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