Dairy-Free Snowball Cookies for First Trimester Cravings

Some days during my first trimester, I just didn’t have the energy for elaborate holiday baking — but I still wanted something soft and comforting. That’s how Dairy-Free Snowball Cookies became my little go-to.

They’re the easiest, sweetest whisper of a cookie: buttery without dairy, perfectly crumbly, and dusted in snow-like powdered sugar.

They reminded me of the simpler joy of my Dairy-Free Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies and Dairy-Free Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies — soft, beautiful, and made for moments when you just need a small win in the kitchen.

Why This Pregnancy Snowball Cookies Recipe for First Trimester Moms Works

• Simple: A 6-ingredient recipe that requires minimal prep and cleanup.
• Dairy-free: Light and gentle on sensitive digestion.
• Naturally less sweet: No sugar in the dough for fewer sugar crashes. 
• Crumbly: The melt-in-your-mouth texture brings cozy comfort without nausea.
• Small-batch: Not an overwhelming project even on low-energy days. 

Benefits of These Pregnancy-Friendly Snowball Cookies For You & The Baby

What I love most about these cookies is how gentle they are. There’s no sugar in the dough, so they’re not cloying or heavy — just delicately sweetened from the powdered sugar coating.

They melt the second they touch your tongue, leaving that cozy warmth that makes you want to pause for a minute longer.

For me, they were the perfect little break between waves of nausea and fatigue — a reminder that tenderness counts too.

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 10-13 minutes / Total Time: 23-28 minutes + 30 minutes chill time / Yields: 16-20 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dairy-free butter, softened (about 1 stick)
• 2 tablespoons oat milk or almond milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Coating:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

Preparation Instructions for Pregnancy-Friendly Snowball Cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the dairy-free butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the oat milk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
5. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much. It's an optional step, but recommended. 
6. Scoop the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Place the balls 1-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until the edges are barely golden. 
8. While the cookies are still warm, pour about half of the powdered sugar into a small bowl. Gently roll each cookie in the sugar until coated. Set aside to cool completely (about 15 minutes). Enjoy!
   

Tips & Variations For the Best Pregnancy-Safe Snowball Cookies

• Double coating: Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them a second time in the remaining powdered sugar. This ensures a thick, beautiful "snowball" coating. It adds a little extra sugar but makes them look so pretty :) 
• Go nuts: Gently fold in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for some nutty snowballs. Yum!
• Swap the coating: Coating the cookies with cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar is delicious too! This needs to be done immediately after they're out of the oven, otherwise, the cinnamon sugar won't stick. Make your own by whisking 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/2-1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
• Chill the rolled dough: If you don't have room for a baking sheet in your fridge, roll the balls of cookie dough and place them in a large bowl (or even the mixer bowl). Refrigerate as usual. 
• Matcha snowballs: Whisk 1 tablespoon matcha powder into the powdered sugar for a sweet matcha coating :)

What to Serve With These Snowball Cookies

Here are my favorite ways to enjoy them:

• With a cold glass of oat milk or almond milk. 
• With my Dairy-Free Orange Hot Chocolate or Dairy-Free Cinnamon Hot Chocolate. 
• With a cup of tea.
• When my stomach can handle a cozy spiced drink, with my Decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte, Anti-Inflammatory Pistachio Matcha Latte, or Starbucks Copycat Turmeric Golden Milk Latte.  
• If I'm craving an iced drink, with my Iced Dalgona Matcha Latte. 
• With a spoonful of my Homemade Peanut Butter, Sugar-Free Almond Butter, or 1-Ingredient Pistachio Butter for a protein-filled snack. 
• If I'm in a cookies-and-ice-cream vibe, with my Banana Nice Cream or Pistachio Banana Nice Cream. 

How to Store These Pregnancy Snowball Cookies

• Counter: Store in an airtight container, away from direct heat and sunlight, for up to 4 days.
• Fridge: Place in an airtight container or bag for up to 7 days. Set at room temperature for 5 minutes before digging in. The cookies will be slightly softer because they'll absorb moisture from the fridge.
• Freezer: Spread out baked cookies on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour or until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for 10 minutes. 

FAQs about these Snowball Cookies for Pregnancy 

1. Are snowball cookies safe to eat during pregnancy?

Yes! These snowball cookies are made dairy-free, with no raw eggs and simple, gentle ingredients. They’re light on digestion, making them perfect for first-trimester nausea and sweet cravings.

2. Why are my snowball cookies falling apart?

Snowball cookies are meant to be tender and crumbly, but if they’re too dry, add an extra teaspoon of oat milk or almond milk to help the dough hold together before baking.

3. Why do you chill snowball cookie dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms up the butter, which helps the cookies hold their round shape instead of spreading flat in the oven. It also enhances that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.

4. Can I make these snowball cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can chill the dough for up to 48 hours or freeze rolled cookie balls for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

5. Can I make snowball cookies without nuts?

Definitely. This version is naturally nut-free, but you can add chopped pecans or walnuts if you prefer a traditional nutty flavor.

6. How do I make the powdered sugar stick better?

Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm from the oven. For a snowy finish, let them cool and roll a second time — the double coat gives them that perfect festive look.

A Note From My Chaotic Kitchen

If you’re craving a touch of sweetness but don’t want to overdo it, these Snowball Cookies feel like a soft sigh of relief. They’re proof that even during your slowest, most tired days, small joys still find you — gently, quietly, and beautifully.

For more pregnancy-safe Christmas cookies, check out my Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles, Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, and Dairy-Free Holiday Pinwheel Cookies.