Description
Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the rich, nutty flavor of almonds with a sweet burst of raspberry jam. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are perfectly soft and buttery, dusted with powdered sugar for an irresistible finish. They make a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie platter or a lovely gift for friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened) – Margarine can be used as a substitute, but the flavor won’t be as rich.
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting) – Granulated sugar can be used but may affect the texture.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – Substitute with an equal amount of almond extract for extra nuttiness.
- 1 tsp almond extract – Omit if you prefer a subtler almond flavor.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – Gluten-free all-purpose flour works as an alternative.
- ¼ tsp salt – Enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup finely chopped almonds – Pecans or walnuts can be used if preferred.
For the Filling:
- ½ cup raspberry jam – Any jam or preserves (like strawberry or apricot) can be substituted.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Stir in the chopped almonds until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet.
- Fill with Raspberry Jam:
- While the cookies are cooling, gently press a small indentation into the center of each cookie using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Spoon about ½ teaspoon of raspberry jam into the center of each cookie.
- Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar:
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, dust them generously with powdered sugar for a snowball effect.
- Serve:
- Enjoy these sweet, buttery treats with a cup of tea or coffee!
Notes
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- For a different flavor, try swapping the raspberry jam with another fruit preserve like strawberry or apricot.
- Make sure the dough is not too warm before baking to avoid the cookies spreading too much.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cookies, Holiday Baking, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Keywords: Raspberry Snowball Cookies, Almond Cookies, Jam Filled Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Snowball Cookies, Almond Raspberry Cookies