Welcome to a delightful taste of winter with Almond Vanilla Snowdust Cookies. These cookies are the perfect blend of buttery goodness and almond flavor, dusted with a layer of sweet snow-like powdered sugar. Whether you're cozying up by the fire or hosting a holiday gathering, these cookies will bring joy to every bite.
Butter: This is the heart of the cookie, providing a rich, creamy base that holds all the flavors together. Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness precisely.
Powdered Sugar: It sweetens the dough and creates that beautiful snow-like coating after baking.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the almond flavor and adds a lovely aromatic touch. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure of the cookie comes from this pantry staple. It gives the cookies their delicate crumb.
Ground Almonds: These bring the nutty, earthy flavor to the forefront. Finely ground almonds blend seamlessly into the dough.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced tea. For a festive touch, serve them on a platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it ready to go once your dough is shaped. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, which prevents the cookies from sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
In a large bowl, cream together one cup of butter and half a cup of powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This usually takes a few minutes with a hand mixer. It’s a good arm workout if you’re doing it by hand!
Mix in two teaspoons of vanilla extract until well combined. The vanilla adds a sweet fragrance that pairs beautifully with almonds.
Gradually add two cups of flour, one cup of ground almonds, and a quarter teaspoon of salt to the bowl. Mix until the dough just comes together. It should be soft but hold its shape.
Now, shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each one. They won’t spread much, but you want to give them room to breathe.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes. Keep an eye out for edges turning lightly golden — that’s your cue to take them out.
Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet. While they’re still warm, gently roll them in additional powdered sugar. This step is crucial for that classic snowdust look.
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