If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that feels like a cozy winter hug wrapped in sweetness, look no further than this Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe. These delicate, buttery treats bring together the rich nuttiness of almonds and the vibrant tartness of raspberry jam in a soft, melt-in-your-mouth dough dusted with a snowy sprinkle of powdered sugar. Perfect for festive occasions or as a charming pick-me-up snack, these cookies balance flavor and texture so wonderfully that they quickly become a delightful favorite to share and savor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple yet vital ingredients, this Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe keeps the focus on quality and harmony. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the cookie’s tender crumb, subtle almond aroma, and that irresistible sweet-tart center.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The backbone of richness, giving the cookies their melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup plus extra for dusting): Adds sweetness and creates that classic snowy finish on top.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lends a warm, aromatic depth to the dough.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the natural almond flavor for a subtly nutty twist.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides structure without weighing down the delicate texture.
- Finely ground almonds or almond flour (1 cup): Infuses the dough with a tender nuttiness and delicate crumb.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and amplifies all the flavors.
- Raspberry jam (1/2 cup, preferably seedless): The joyful burst of juicy fruit in the center, offering brightness and softness inside each cookie.
How to Make Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Start by heating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the tray effortlessly, setting the stage for sweet success.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential as it incorporates air into the batter, giving your cookies that signature delicate texture.
Step 3: Add the Flavor Extracts
Next, stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to the creamed mixture. These extracts gently elevate the aroma and deepen the subtle yet unmistakable almond flavor that makes these cookies so special.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, finely ground almonds, and salt in a separate bowl. Mixing these dry ingredients well helps distribute the flavors evenly throughout the dough and provides the right structure for each cookie.
Step 5: Form the Soft Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter and sugar cream, blending gently until a soft dough comes together. The dough should be pliable—not sticky—to the touch. If it feels too soft, chilling for about 20 minutes can help manage it better during shaping.
Step 6: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Scoop out approximately 1 tablespoon of dough and gently flatten it in your palm. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry jam into the center. Then carefully fold the dough around the jam, rolling it into a smooth ball to seal the filling inside. This creates a delightful surprise inside each bite.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, giving them enough room to rest and spread slightly—about 2 inches apart is perfect. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until the bottoms turn a soft golden hue, signaling just the right crispness.
Step 8: Cool and Dust
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, generously dust them with powdered sugar to give them that signature snowy, festive look.
How to Serve Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar is classic, but you can also sprinkle finely chopped toasted almonds on top before baking for extra crunch and visual appeal. A fresh raspberry placed alongside adds a bright finish that echoes the filling.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea or a freshly brewed latte. For a festive occasion, serve them alongside a rich hot chocolate or a glass of sweet dessert wine to complement their almond and raspberry notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a festive platter lined with parchment paper, sprinkled with edible flower petals or fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. You can also stack them into a charming pyramid shape tied with a delicate ribbon to create a lovely gift or party centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keeping them sealed preserves their tender texture while preventing the jam centers from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, making them convenient for holiday preparation.
Reheating
To enjoy the cookies slightly warm, pop them into a preheated 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This gently revitalizes their softness without melting the powdered sugar dusting, restoring the fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use other types of jam besides raspberry?
Absolutely! Apricot or strawberry jam are great alternatives and will bring their own delicious flavor to the Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe, making each batch uniquely good.
What if I don’t have almond flour?
Finely ground almonds work perfectly as a substitute. Just blitz whole almonds in a food processor until powdery but be careful not to overprocess them into almond butter.
Why is almond extract important in this recipe?
Almond extract intensifies the nutty flavor of the ground almonds, making the cookies distinctly almond-licious and balancing the sweetness of the jam filling.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to keep the texture similar while making them suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
How do I keep the jam from leaking during baking?
Ensure you fully seal the dough around the jam by pinching and rolling it into a smooth ball. Chilling the dough before filling can also help manage stickiness and prevent leakage.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about this Raspberry-Filled Almond Snow Cookies Recipe that makes it a standout in any cookie lineup. With its tender almond crumb, luscious jam center, and snowy powdered sugar finish, you’ll find yourself reaching for another again and again. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it will warm your kitchen and your heart, becoming one of your go-to treats for sharing sweetness with those you love.
