Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies

Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional snowball cookies, combining a rich, buttery almond cookie with a sweet, tangy raspberry filling. Rolled in powdered sugar, these cookies look like little snowballs, perfect for holiday gatherings, winter parties, or cozy family nights. The almond flavor pairs wonderfully with the raspberry filling, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that bursts with flavor in every bite. These cookies are easy to make and look beautifully festive on any dessert table, making them an ideal treat to share with friends and family. This recipe provides a complete guide to making Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies, from ingredients to techniques, along with tips, variations, and serving ideas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them perfect for special occasions or holiday baking. The buttery almond dough gives these cookies a rich flavor, while the raspberry filling adds a hint of tart sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the cookie’s powdered sugar coating. Unlike traditional snowballs, which are often just rolled in powdered sugar, these cookies have an added layer of flavor that surprises and delights with every bite. The recipe is straightforward, and with a few tips, you’ll be able to create cookies that are tender, crumbly, and filled with a pop of raspberry. They’re a unique and delicious way to elevate classic holiday treats!

Preparation Time and Servings

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Cool time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 24-30 cookies
• Serving Size: 2 cookies

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 160
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10g

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely ground almonds or almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Raspberry Filling

• 1/3 cup raspberry jam or preserves (seedless if preferred)

For Coating

• 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results.
2. Add the vanilla extract and almond extract, and mix until incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, finely ground almonds (or almond flour), and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

1. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape them into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading and makes it easier to work with.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 4: Shape and Fill the Cookies

1. Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out a portion of dough and roll it into a ball.
2. Flatten the ball in your palm, creating a small indentation in the center.
3. Place about 1/4 teaspoon of raspberry jam in the indentation, then carefully fold the dough around the jam, rolling it back into a smooth ball. Make sure the jam is fully enclosed to prevent leaking.
4. Repeat with the remaining dough, placing the filled balls on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops are still pale. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking.
2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Coat the Cookies

1. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Once the cookies are completely cooled, roll each cookie in the powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly.
2. For an extra snowy look, roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time before serving.

Step 7: Serve and Store

1. Serve the Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies on a festive platter, or store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
2. If making ahead, you can freeze these cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and re-roll in powdered sugar before serving to freshen up their appearance.

Ingredient Background

Each ingredient in these Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies plays a vital role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. Butter provides richness and tenderness to the cookies, while powdered sugar keeps the dough soft and melt-in-your-mouth. Vanilla and almond extracts enhance the almond flavor and add warmth, while ground almonds contribute a slight nuttiness and crumbly texture. The raspberry jam filling adds a sweet, tangy contrast that complements the buttery almond cookie. Lastly, rolling the cookies in powdered sugar gives them a classic snowball look and adds a touch of extra sweetness.

Technique Tips

To ensure your Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies turn out perfectly, follow these technique tips. First, be sure to cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy; this helps create a tender texture. Chilling the dough before shaping makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much. When adding the raspberry filling, be careful not to overfill, as too much jam can cause the cookies to burst during baking. Lastly, wait until the cookies are fully cooled before rolling them in powdered sugar to prevent clumping.

Alternative Presentation Ideas

Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are versatile and can be presented in various ways to suit different occasions. For a festive holiday platter, arrange the cookies in a decorative pattern with fresh greenery or sugared cranberries. For a wedding or elegant event, drizzle the cookies with a light glaze and sprinkle with edible gold dust for a sophisticated look. If you’re giving these cookies as gifts, place them in a tin lined with wax paper and tie with a ribbon for a charming presentation. You can also shape the dough into crescents or stars for a unique variation on the classic snowball shape.

Additional Tips for Success

For the best flavor, use high-quality butter and almond extract, as these ingredients add richness and depth to the cookies. If you prefer a smoother filling, use seedless raspberry jam or strain the jam before filling the cookies. If you’re using almond flour, sift it to remove any lumps for a smoother dough. To make the cookies extra festive, consider adding a hint of finely grated lemon or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy note. Lastly, always cool the cookies completely before rolling them in powdered sugar, as this helps the sugar adhere without melting.

Recipe Variations

This Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookie recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to try different flavors and fillings. For a nutty twist, use hazelnut or pistachio flour in place of almond flour. If you enjoy different fruit flavors, swap the raspberry jam for strawberry, apricot, or blackberry preserves. For a chocolate variation, add mini chocolate chips to the dough, or drizzle melted chocolate over the finished cookies. You can also roll the cookies in a mixture of powdered sugar and cocoa powder for a chocolatey coating. For a savory twist, add a pinch of sea salt to the dough for a sweet-salty flavor.

Freezing and Storage

These Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies store well, making them perfect for holiday baking or preparing in advance. To store, place the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature and re-roll in powdered sugar to refresh their appearance. If freezing unbaked dough, shape the dough into balls without the filling, then freeze; thaw and fill before baking.

Healthier Twist Ideas

To make these cookies a bit healthier, consider a few ingredient swaps. Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber, or use almond flour exclusively for a gluten-free option. You can also reduce the sugar by using a natural sweetener like honey or coconut sugar in the dough, although this may slightly change the texture. To cut down on calories, replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce, which will make the cookies slightly softer. Lastly, use a no-sugar-added jam for the filling to reduce the overall sugar content.

Serving Suggestions for Events

Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are perfect for various events, from holiday gatherings to weddings. For a holiday dessert table, arrange the cookies on a large platter with fresh greenery, such as pine sprigs or holly, for a festive touch. These cookies also make wonderful party favors or gifts—just place them in a decorative tin or box lined with wax paper, and tie with a ribbon for a charming presentation. At a winter wedding, serve the cookies alongside coffee, hot cocoa, or spiced cider for a cozy treat. You could also offer them as part of a cookie exchange, where guests bring a variety of holiday cookies to share.

Special Equipment

To make these cookies, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools. An electric mixer or stand mixer is helpful for creaming the butter and sugar, while a fine mesh sieve or sifter ensures smooth powdered sugar. A small cookie scoop or tablespoon makes it easy to portion out uniform balls of dough, and a silicone baking mat or parchment paper prevents sticking. If you’re making these cookies as gifts, small decorative tins or boxes are a nice touch for presentation. Lastly, a cooling rack is useful for letting the cookies cool before rolling them in powdered sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use almond extract instead of vanilla extract?
Yes, you can use almond extract alone if you prefer a stronger almond flavor. However, a blend of both almond and vanilla extracts creates a more balanced taste.

2. Can I use almond flour instead of ground almonds?
Yes, almond flour works well as a substitute for ground almonds. It will create a slightly softer texture but will still provide the almond flavor.

3. How do I keep the jam from leaking out?
Make sure the jam is well-contained within the dough by folding the edges over it completely. Also, avoid overfilling, as too much jam can cause the cookie to burst.

4. Can I use different types of jam?
Absolutely! Try strawberry, apricot, blackberry, or any fruit preserve you enjoy. Just be sure it’s thick enough to stay contained within the cookie.

5. Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

6. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a gluten-free version. Just note that almond flour may result in a softer, more crumbly texture.

7. How can I store these cookies for gift-giving?
Place the cookies in a decorative tin or box lined with wax paper, and add a layer of wax paper between each layer of cookies to prevent sticking.

8. Do I need to re-roll the cookies in powdered sugar after freezing?
Yes, re-rolling the cookies in powdered sugar after freezing can freshen up their appearance and make them look as good as new.

Conclusion

Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are a festive and delicious treat that combines the classic flavors of almond and raspberry in a beautiful, powdered sugar-coated cookie. With their rich, buttery texture and sweet-tart filling, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea. Easy to make and versatile, they bring a touch of elegance to any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just for fun, these Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are sure to be a hit. Happy baking!

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