The ORIGINAL melting snowman cookies! That’s right. This is the very first version of the now-traditional Christmas cookie, created by me in 2008.
melted snowman cookies
I’ve updated this post for melting snowman cookies several times since the original was published in 2008.
I first came up with the idea when I spotted a melted snowman craft in a magazine.
Since I made this Mr. Melty guy, he has gone viral (although, much to my dismay, the original hasn’t and no, I’ve received no windfall of riches. Or any riches at all, sigh).
Melted snowman cookies are now considered a traditional Christmas cookie. I’ve seen them in magazines. Target has a kit. Wilton sells the cutters.
A popular version uses a marshmallow head instead of the fondant head.
My idea has been used all across the land, which is heart-warming. (Although, those taking credit for the idea is a little less heart-warming.)
Need more melting snowman ideas?
Check out this simplified version of the melted snowman cookies. Or try these melting snowman candy pops. Or make melting snowman meringues. You can even paint melting snowman rocks.
how to make melting snowman cookies
I’m melting, melting… Oh, poor snowman. If you don’t like the sentiment this expresses, you’ll see I’ve added the option of making your snowman smiley.
That way, it will appear the snowman understands his inevitable demise and doesn’t mind so much the nature of things. You may also use a marshmallow instead of the fondant, if you wish.
you will need:
cookie dough
royal icing
food coloring (Bright White, Orange, Electric Green, Chocolate Brown or any color for buttons)
sharp knife
decorating bag with size 4 tip
decorating bag with size 2 tip
small spatula or knife
white rolled fondant (see shortcut tip below)
Black Americolor gourmet writer
light corn syrup
Find information on cookie decorating supplies and where to find them HERE. For basic cookie decorating instructions, click here.
shortcut tips:
In place of the fondant, you can use a marshmallow for the snowman head (and draw the face and carrot nose with the food coloring pens). You may also use candies for the buttons instead of fondant.
step one: bake your snowman base (the blob)
Roll out your dough and cut out a blob shape with a sharp knife.
I drew my shape first on paper and cut around the paper. Don’t make the blob too big, about 4 inches.
If the edges are rough from cutting, pat with your fingers to smooth. Bake on a parchment paper lined baking tray and let cool.
step two: frost your cookie base
Color some frosting with the Bright White gel paste and fill the bag with the 4 tip.
Outline cookie with frosting and let set a good half hour.
Take some frosting in a bowl, color white and add water, little by little, stirring until it’s syrupy.
Pour the runny frosting onto the middle of the cookie and spread to the edges with a small spatula or butter knife. Let set til firm a good two hours, even longer if possible.
step three: make your snowman parts
Take a few teaspoons worth of fondant, knead (you can add a few drops of White coloring to brighten) and roll between your palms to form a sphere.
If the fondant gets too sticky, let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes.
Set on a piece of parchment or wax paper to harden for about an hour.
Do the same with the carrot and buttons. Knead a small amount of fondant with the Orange color and form a triangle with your fingers. Set on the wax paper so the tip of the carrot points upward.
Knead any color into fondant and roll small spheres for your buttons.
When the snowman head has dried til firm enough to write on, make your face with the black edible gourmet pen. Choose from smiley (happy about melting) to shock (not happy about melting).
step five: assemble your snowman
To adhere the fondant pieces to each other and to the cookie, dab your finger in light corn syrup and rub on the areas that will be adhered.
Start with the head and press firmly but gently onto the blob.
Next, attach the carrot to the face. Then the buttons.
For the sticks, I used brown frosting in a bag fitted with a 2 tip and piped. But you can also just draw them on with a brown or black edible pen.
OTHER ideas for melted snowman cookies
Make a hat (Tint fondant black. Roll out and cut out a little circle. Roll a small ball, flatten the top and bottom and attach with a dab of corn syrup. Wrap a thin strip of colored fondant around the ball. Adhere to the top of the snowman head with corn syrup. Let dry overnight.)
Make a scarf (Roll out tinted fondant and cut a curvy scarf shape with a sharp knife. Cut little slices at the ends for fringe. Attach to the snowman with a dab of corn syrup.)
Use sprinkles. I just used confetti sprinkles from the craft store for the buttons.
Candy instead of fondant. Instead of fondant, use candy to decorate. Use Tootsie Rolls for the hat, gum drops, or other candies to decorate, a fruit roll-up for the scarf…
J+S says
You are so my cookie hero. I’m posting this on my blog and linking back to you. I hope that’s okay. (It will be up Monday)
Craftbits.com says
Yummyyyyyyyy
Anonymous says
Thanks so much for posting such great directions. I’ve always wanted to make cute iced sugar cookies, but have never had any success. I made these and they turned out perfect! I will be checking back soon and rushing to buy your book!
Nikki Dee says
OH EM GEE!! My little town up here in Manitoba, Canada has had NO SNOW!! Can you believe that?! So when I saw these, I was like, NO WAY, these are perfect cookies for me! Thanks!
Haley I says
It would be even COOLer if for the snowman’s head, you use a cake ball -or whatever they’re called- that are used for cake pops. =)
Elle says
wow cute idea 🙂
Victoria Beavers says
The melting snowman…pure cookie genius. Although my kids would insist upon making it a witch and making it in my likeness(just a coincidence, mom, really), the snowman stole my heart! I wish you could have won some sort of financial applause. At least you know you’re a cookie genius.
Michele says
I love this cookie with all my heart!! I realize it is supposed to be a Christmas cookie but I am tempted to try it just before the temperatures reach triple digits… again… here in Arizona. Just adorable!
Bakes-A-Lot Sue says
Ha ha! Love them x
Catherine Crawford says
Love this cookie! I once saw a Valentines’ Day card with melting snowman. The snowman’s heart was melting, also. It read… “When I think of you, I just melt.”
Luvlael says
I Love your cookie idea and Lucky for you I saw it first here from you so the credit Is All yours from my point of view! =o) Happy Creating and don’t give it up from one stolen idea!
Chelsea says
YOU are brilliant and creative! No one can take that away from you!
meaghanmountford says
awwwww, thank you Chelsea! And wise words!
Monique says
What a wonderful idea – I want to tell you this is going to be a traditional item on our Holiday table from now on…. our four grandchildren are going to go wild with helping Gramma in the kitchen…
meaghanmountford says
Aw, thank you so much Monique!
Lynette Keith says
I shouldn’t be surprised they started with you! Thanks for another great idea! I “found” the idea and made them last Christmas for the church party. They are soo cute! I found little plastic black top hats at Hobby Lobby 40% off that fit mine PERFECTLY and were tooooo adorable. Wish I could post a pic here!
meaghanmountford says
Thank you Lynette!! ANOTHER reason I so wish I had a Hobby Lobby near me!!
Evelyn Kaiser says
This is the most creative cookies I’ve ever seen. I love Mr. Melty. Can’t wait to make them. I know they will be a huge hit no matter where I bring them for the holidays. They actually make me smile to see them. Thank you for sharing, a truly BRILLANT IDEA!!!!
victoria says
Spotted: Melty snowman look alike found on page 22 of Rachael Ray’s Dec 2012 Magazine. I saw it and thought of YOU (and how I love the idea).
meaghanmountford says
Seriously Victoria! The melty snowman is taking over the world! 🙂 Wish I got paid for it…. or credit, wait, one more :).
victoria says
Hey, isn’ there are way to copyright stuff…kinda like intellectual property??? I know, hard to prove or prosecute. As I tell my boys (when a younger sibling copies their ideas), take it as a compliment–which I am sure you do. But, I agree: it would be nice to have a little silver to jingle in your pocket and a little pat on the back. Too bad RR magazine didn’t at least gave you kuddos (though she might have stolen it from another melty imposter).
Your ideas are great! My recreations don’t look as good (that is why I sit here and you sit there). Keep up the great work!
Heather says
These are awesome, you totally deserve credit! And, you should get royalties, or something! At least a very Merry Christmas? I’ll post on pinterest to spread your talent!
meaghanmountford says
🙂 Thank you Heather!! Yes, royalties! Millions!
Karen says
Seriously, this is one of my favorite cookies ever and I hate that people don’t give you credit for it. I was in Target today and saw that they had a kit to make them…please tell me some of that comes your way….it better or I’ll park myself in front of the rest of them and show people your website!!!!
meaghanmountford says
Thank you so much Karen! I’m afraid you’ll have to stake out the Target… Nope, I get zippo from that, but I did hear about it. I’ve yet to see it in a store, I might cry!
Jill says
Clever idea…my nephews wold love making this!