These Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies are delicate, buttery, and bursting with a sweet raspberry surprise inside. The perfect combination of almond flavor and fruity jam, these cookies are simple to make and a beautiful treat for the holidays or any special occasion. Here’s the detailed recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soft butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup almond flour (or finely ground almonds)
- ⅓ cup raspberry jam
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, beat the soft butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add the almond extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour, salt, and almond flour. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. The dough should be firm but slightly sticky.
3. Shape the Cookies:
- Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it in your hand to form a small circle.
- Place ½ teaspoon of raspberry jam in the center of the flattened dough.
- Carefully fold the dough around the jam, making sure the jam is completely enclosed within the dough. Shape it into a ball.
- Repeat this process with the remaining dough and jam.
4. Bake the Cookies:
- Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are set but not browned. The cookies should remain pale in color.
5. Coat with Powdered Sugar:
- Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- Gently roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar to give it a light dusting.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Second Coat of Powdered Sugar:
- After the cookies have cooled, roll them in powdered sugar again to give them that beautiful snowy, festive look.
Enjoy:
- These cookies are ready to be enjoyed! The buttery texture combined with the sweet raspberry center and the hint of almond will melt in your mouth.
Additional Notes:
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for longer storage, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- Flavor Variation: You can swap out the raspberry jam for apricot or strawberry jam if you prefer different flavors.
- Nutty Texture: Almond flour gives these cookies a delicious nutty flavor and tender texture. If you don’t have almond flour, you can use finely ground almonds for a similar effect.
Nutritional Information (per cookie):
- Calories: About 150 calories per cookie (depending on size).
Benefits of These Cookies:
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses basic pantry staples, making it easy to whip up a batch whenever you want a sweet treat.
- Perfect for Holiday Gifting: With their snowy powdered sugar coating and festive look, these cookies make a great gift for friends, family, or coworkers.
- Delicate Texture: The almond flavor and buttery texture make these cookies melt in your mouth with every bite.
Q&A:
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
- A: While butter provides a rich flavor and texture, margarine can be used as a substitute. However, the taste and texture may vary slightly.
Q: Can I make the dough in advance?
- A: Yes, you can make the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before shaping and baking the cookies. Just allow the dough to soften a little before rolling it into balls.
Q: What if I don’t have almond flour?
- A: You can use finely ground almonds in place of almond flour. Alternatively, if you’re allergic to nuts, you can omit the almond flour and use regular flour for a plain sugar cookie base.
Q: Can I freeze these cookies?
- A: Yes, these cookies freeze well. After baking, let them cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I substitute the raspberry jam with another flavor?
- A: Yes! Feel free to substitute the raspberry jam with any flavor you like, such as strawberry, apricot, or cherry jam. You can even use fruit preserves for a slightly chunkier texture.
These Easy Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies are a great treat for any occasion, especially during the holidays. With their light texture, nutty flavor, and fruity center, they’re sure to be a hit!