Almond Bliss Snowballs

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 24
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

Welcome to a world of delightful indulgence with these Almond Bliss Snowballs. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a perfect treat for the festive season, combining the warmth of almonds with the sweetness of powdered sugar. Let's dive into the magic of making these little bites of joy!

Ingredients for Almond Bliss Snowballs

Butter is the base of our dough, adding richness and helping achieve that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. Powdered sugar sweetens the cookies subtly and gives them a delicate texture, and you'll use it twice — in the dough and for coating. Vanilla extract adds a classic note, while almond extract enhances the nutty flavor. All-purpose flour forms the structure of the cookies, and a pinch of salt balances the sweetness. Finally, finely chopped almonds bring in delightful crunch and nutty goodness.

Tips & Tricks

  • Chill the dough for about 30 minutes if it feels too soft; this makes rolling easier.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to ensure evenly-sized snowballs.
  • For an extra almond punch, lightly toast the almonds before chopping.
  • Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent the sugar coating from melting.

Serving Suggestions

These Almond Bliss Snowballs are delightful on their own, but they pair beautifully with a warm mug of spiced cider or hot cocoa during the colder months. For a more elegant presentation, serve them with a selection of other holiday cookies on a festive platter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead?
Yes, but reduce the added salt to a pinch to account for the salt in the butter.
How long will these cookies keep?
Stored in an airtight container, they should keep fresh for about a week.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Freeze the dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Almond Bliss Snowballs Recipe Walkthrough

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper — this will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier. Cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. Keep mixing until you see a light, fluffy texture; this ensures your cookies will be tender.

Add the vanilla and almond extracts to the mix. The almond extract really makes these cookies sing, so don’t skip it! Gradually incorporate the flour and salt, stirring gently until just combined. You don’t want to overwork the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.

Fold in the chopped almonds. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough to get that nutty flavor in every bite. Now, take small portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Space them out on your prepared baking sheet.

Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges. Once done, take them out and let them cool slightly. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar. This first coating will stick nicely to the warm cookies.

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar once more. This second coat gives them that classic snowball appearance.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with straightforward steps.
  • Perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy night in.
  • Rich almond flavor with a soft, crumbly texture.
  • Ideal for gift-giving — they look as good as they taste!
  • No fancy equipment needed — just basic kitchen tools.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup powdered sugar, for coating

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
4. Gradually add the flour and salt, stirring until just combined.
5. Fold in the chopped almonds, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
6. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
8. Allow the cookies to cool slightly, then roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then give them one more coating of powdered sugar.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!