Build-a-Snowman at Home: A Complete Guide to Creating Adorable Holiday Treats with Shimmer & Delights

The holiday season is a time of joy, creativity, and connection—a moment to gather in the kitchen, roll up your sleeves, and make something fun with the people you love. Whether you're inspired by Frosty the Snowman, Olaf from Frozen, or simply the magic of wintertime baking, creating snowman-themed treats has become a beloved holiday tradition for many families.

This year, Betty Mafla of Shimmer and Delights in Land O’ Lakes brings us an entire collection of whimsical, easy-to-create snowman desserts that transform simple ingredients into charming edible characters. With her warm teaching style and clever techniques, she makes holiday treat-making approachable for both seasoned bakers and complete beginners.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn not only how to make each treat step-by-step, but also why these creations are perfect for family bonding, gifting, and holiday celebrations. Whether you want something simple, something showstopping, or something kid-friendly, this guide will walk you through every idea you need to build your own winter wonderland right at home.

Why Snowman Treats Are Perfect for the Holidays

Unlike complicated baked goods that require specialty tools or advanced skills, snowman treats rely on simple shapes, recognizable features, and easy techniques. Most importantly, they offer something that holiday desserts often promise but don’t always deliver—pure fun.

These treats:

• Require minimal baking experience

• Can be made quickly in batches

• Are perfect for kids, families, and classrooms

• Use accessible, inexpensive ingredients

• Allow creativity without worrying about perfection

In fact, Betty’s biggest piece of advice throughout all her demonstrations is simple: have fun and don’t try to make them perfect. Snowmen are meant to be playful and expressive. A crooked smile or uneven eyes just makes them more charming and personal.

Pretzel Rod Snowmen: A Delightful Holiday Classic

One of the standout ideas Betty shares is her clever pretzel rod snowman—a charming little treat that combines salty, sweet, and cute all in one.

What makes these snowmen irresistible is how they mimic the stacked look of a real snowman…using nothing more than chocolate and pretzels.

Ingredients Needed

• Pretzel rods (full length or minis)

• Melted white chocolate

• Melted dark chocolate

• Gel icing (black, orange, or desired colors)

• Toothpicks

• Parchment paper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Create the Snowman’s Body

Start by selecting five small pretzel rods. Dip them halfway into melted white chocolate—don’t worry about holding them perfectly straight. Betty makes it clear that the beauty of this treat is its simplicity. Once the pretzels are coated, line them up on parchment paper at a slight angle, similar to a short ladder.

Let them dry completely. This forms the body of the snowman.

Once dry, flip the pretzel base over and prepare for the next step: building the hat.

2. Form the Snowman’s Hat

Dip the top third of the pretzels into melted dark chocolate. This creates the hat portion and adds a nice contrast to the white chocolate body.

Then, dip one single pretzel rod into dark chocolate and place it horizontally across the base of the hat to form the brim. This tiny detail turns a simple dip into a full character—suddenly, the snowman has personality.

Let the entire piece dry fully until the chocolate hardens.

3. Decorate the Face

Once the structure is dry, it’s time to add the snowman’s expression. Betty recommends using colored gel icing or melted chocolate. Black gel works well for eyes and a smile, while orange gel creates the classic carrot nose.

For the carrot nose, Betty uses a smart trick:
apply the orange icing with a toothpick and gently drag it outward to create a tapered, carrot-like shape.

The result is a playful little face that gives each snowman its own family-friendly charm.

4. Wrap and Gift

These snowman pretzels also make excellent gifts. Wrap them in clear treat bags, tie on a ribbon, and you have a thoughtful handmade holiday present—perfect for teachers, coworkers, friends, and neighbors.

Marshmallow Snowmen: The Fastest Treat for Kids and Beginners

For those who prefer something even easier—perhaps for a classroom activity, quick party favor, or a no-fuss kitchen craft—Betty offers a wonderfully simple marshmallow alternative.

Why Marshmallow Snowmen Work So Well

Marshmallows already resemble tiny snowballs, making them the perfect shortcut for winter treats. They require little shaping, no baking, and very little cleanup.

Ingredients Needed

• Large marshmallows

• Mini marshmallows or cookies for hats

• Melted chocolate (white or milk)

• Crystal sanding sugar

• Gel icing

• Toothpicks

How to Make Them

1. Dip the Marshmallows

Dip two marshmallows into warm melted chocolate. Shake gently to remove excess chocolate, then roll them in white crystal sugar. The sugar creates a frosty, snow-covered look that’s irresistibly festive.

Let them dry completely.

2. Add the Face

Once dry, draw on eyes, a smile, and a nose using gel or melted chocolate. Kids especially love this step because each snowman can have a different personality—cute, silly, sleepy, surprised, or even mischievous.

3. Add the Hat

Betty offers multiple hat options, all easy and adorable:

• Mini Oreos

• Reese’s Mini Cups

• A single marshmallow

• A mini cookie

• A chocolate disc

Simply attach the hat with a dab of melted chocolate.

4. Display or Package

These marshmallow snowmen look beautiful in mugs, on dessert boards, or packaged in festive treat bags.

The Melted Snowman: A Fun, Fast, and Messy Treat

One of the cutest ideas Betty shares is the “melted snowman”—a treat that playfully mimics what happens when a snowman melts too close to the fireplace.

How to Make It

This one is almost too easy:

1. Spread a puddle of melted chocolate onto parchment paper.

2. Place one marshmallow on top as the “head.”

3. Add eyes, a mouth, and a carrot nose.

4. Use sprinkles or candy pieces for buttons, arms, or scarves.

The key, Betty emphasizes, is to avoid perfection.
The messier it looks, the more realistic—and adorable—it becomes.

This treat is perfect for kids who love sensory, hands-on projects.

Snowflake Treats: Winter Magic on a Stick

Another lovely, minimalist idea is the marshmallow snowflake. It’s one of the easiest crafts Betty teaches, and it’s especially great for young children.

Instructions

1. Insert toothpicks around a marshmallow or candy base to mimic the arms of a snowflake.

2. Dip the entire piece into melted chocolate.

3. Let it dry.

4. Repeat as needed to create a flurry of snowflakes.

The end result is decorative, edible, and perfect for hot cocoa bars, winter parties, or holiday dessert tables.

Why These Treats Make Wonderful Holiday Memories

Beyond their cuteness and delicious flavor, these snowman treats offer something deeper—they're opportunities to make memories.

Baking during the holidays has always been a way for families to connect. But Betty’s snowman treats make that experience even more accessible. Because the designs don’t require precision, children can jump right in without fear of “messing it up.”

Crooked arms, uneven hats, overly large carrot noses—every detail reflects the personality of the person who made it.

These treats encourage:

• Creativity

• Laughter

• Togetherness

• Shared accomplishment

• Freedom to play

They are as much an activity as they are a dessert.

Tips for Hosting a Build-a-Snowman Treat Party

A growing trend during the holidays is the “Build-a-Snowman Treat Bar.” It’s an affordable, enjoyable party idea for adults, kids, or mixed groups.

Here’s how to set one up:

1. Prepare the Ingredients Ahead

Have bowls filled with:

• Pretzel rods

• Marshmallows

• Melted chocolates (in slow cookers or warming bowls)

• Icing gels

• Sprinkles

• Mini cookies and candies

2. Offer Step-by-Step Cards

Guests can follow instructions at their own pace.

3. Include Packaging Supplies

Treat bags, clear boxes, ribbons, and tags let guests take home their creations.

4. Personalize It with Themes

You can adapt the designs:

• Classic Snowmen

• Frosty Friends

• Olaf-Inspired Treats

• Elegant White-on-White Snowflakes

• Colorful Kids’ Snow Creatures

5. Encourage Imperfection

As Betty says, the joy is in the fun, not the flawlessness.

Why These Treats Make Excellent Gifts

Handmade holiday goodies always feel more meaningful than store-bought items. These snowman treats are especially gift-worthy because they are:

• Cute and heartwarming

• Easy to package

• Affordable to make in bulk

• Perfect for kids to help create

• Customizable for any recipient

Teachers, coworkers, delivery drivers, neighbors, and friends will appreciate the thoughtful homemade touch.

Bringing the Magic Home

The holiday season is filled with traditions—decorating trees, wrapping gifts, lighting candles, singing carols. Adding a hands-on, creative treat-making tradition can become something your family looks forward to each year.

Betty’s snowman treats embody everything the holidays stand for:

• Creativity

• Warmth

• Togetherness

• Simplicity

• Joy

Whether you’re dipping pretzels, decorating marshmallows, or crafting chocolate puddles, these treats offer a chance to slow down, connect, and savor the season.

So gather your loved ones, set out the ingredients, and start building your own edible snowman family—one delicious character at a time.