Name: Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 3/4 cup toasted ground almonds; pinch of salt; 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam; powdered sugar for rolling

There’s something truly magical about the melt-in-your-mouth texture of these little almond treats. The Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe combines buttery dough with a sweet almond crunch and a surprise jam center that steals the show every time. Trust me, once you make a batch, you’ll want to keep these cookies coming back for holiday celebrations or anytime you need a cozy treat.

A red square plate filled with round cookies covered in a thick layer of white powdered sugar; one cookie is split in half on top, showing a dark red jam filling inside the light beige dough; the powdered sugar appears soft and powdery, lightly dusting the plate around the cookies; the background is dark, making the cookies and plate stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore how this Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe blends delicate almond flavor with a soft, buttery cookie that’s stuffed with a hint of raspberry jam. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to whip up, making it a win-win in my book.

Comfort Food at Its Best: These cookies are tender, crumbly, and lightly sweetened, perfect for pairing with your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
Simple Yet Impressive: Despite their elegant look, the recipe uses common ingredients and straightforward steps anyone can follow.
Perfect for Gifting: These snowball cookies make beautiful homemade gifts, especially with their snowy coating of powdered sugar.
Customizable Filling: You can switch up the jam or try different nut bases if you want to personalize their flavor.

A white plate holds around ten round cookies piled in the center, each cookie covered with a thick layer of white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, snowy look. The cookies have a light beige color peeking from under the powdered sugar. The plate sits on a wooden surface, with a red cloth that has white patterns placed on one side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe comes down to the balance of rich butter, toasted almonds, and sweet raspberry jam. Each ingredient plays a key role in texture and flavor, so choosing quality basics makes all the difference.

Flat lay of a small mound of all purpose flour, a pile of toasted ground almonds, a pinch of salt scattered gently on the surface, a large square of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, a few drops of almond extract in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl holding bright red seedless raspberry jam, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly arranged with balanced spacing and symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All Purpose Flour: The sturdy yet tender base that makes the cookie crumbly without being dry.
Toasted Ground Almonds: Adds a deep, nutty flavor and delicate crunch—make sure to toast them fresh for best aroma.
Pinch of Salt: Enhances all the subtle flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted Butter: Rich and creamy, softened for easier mixing but not melted, which helps achieve the perfect texture.
Powdered Sugar: Used in the dough for a tender texture and also for coating the cookies for that snowy finish.
Almond Extract: This packs the almond essence punch—don’t skip it or use too little or it won’t shine through.
Seedless Raspberry Jam: Sweet and tart, the jam center adds moistness and a surprise burst of flavor that keeps these cookies interesting.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes I swap the raspberry jam for apricot or even a rich dark cherry preserves for a change in flavor. You can also blend other nuts into the dough—pistachios or pecans work beautifully too.

Variation: One time, I added a teaspoon of orange zest into the dough, which gave a lovely fresh twist that paired wonderfully with the raspberry jam.
Dietary Mod: For a gluten-free version, try a trusted gluten-free all-purpose flour blend but be mindful that texture may vary slightly.
Jam Swap: If you like things less sweet, a tangy lemon curd or marmalade can offer a bright contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Toast and prepare the almonds

First, I gently toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they smell warm and nutty—this only takes a few minutes and really lifts the flavor. Once toasted, I let them cool completely before grinding them finely. This step brings out the depth of the almonds, and trust me, it’s worth the little extra effort.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugar

Using a hand mixer, I beat the softened unsalted butter with the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this fluffiness traps air, helping the cookies stay tender. Adding the almond extract here ensures the dough truly sings with almond flavor.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients and dough

I mix the flour and salt in a bowl, then slowly add them to the butter mixture while mixing on low speed—just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which keeps cookies tender. After that, I stir in the ground almonds by hand, so they’re evenly distributed without breaking down.

Step 4: Shape, fill, and chill

Now for the fun part! I roll two small balls of dough, about 1 inch each, then carefully hollow out a tiny well in each. A scant half teaspoon of seedless raspberry jam goes inside, then I press the two halves together, pinching the edges tightly so none of the jam peeks out. A gentle roll shapes it back into a perfect snowball. Chilling the formed cookies for 1 to 2 hours firms them up, which helps prevent spreading during baking.

Step 5: Bake and sugar coat

Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake until the cookie bottoms just start to turn golden—about 11 to 12 minutes. While still warm, I roll them in powdered sugar for the first snowy layer. Once completely cooled, I give them a second dusting, which creates that iconic snowball look and melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Top Tip

Having made this Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the whole process smoother and the results unbeatable. These little tips can really elevate your cookies from good to memorable!

Proper Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, to maintain dough structure and get that tender crumb.
Chill the Cookies: Don’t skip chilling the shaped cookies. It prevents spreading and helps them hold their ball shape.
Seal the Jam Well: Pinch the dough edges tightly to avoid jam leaking during baking—this keeps your cookie neat and tasty.
Double Sugar Dusting: Rolling twice in powdered sugar, once warm and once cool, creates that classic snowball effect and a beautiful sweet coating.

How to Serve Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe

Almond Snowball Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple—a generous dusting of powdered sugar is all these cookies need because it adds that snowy charm. For a festive touch, I’ve stirred in a pinch of cinnamon in the sugar dusting during the holidays, which gives a warm, spicy twist.

Side Dishes

Pair these almond-filled gems with a soothing cup of Earl Grey tea or a bold espresso. They also go surprisingly well alongside a crisp salad or light fruit salad if you want to offer something fresh alongside the rich cookies at a gathering.

Creative Ways to Present

One year I arranged these cookies on a large platter dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh sprigs of mint and edible flowers—everyone loved the festive look. You can also stack them in little cookie towers tied with ribbon for a lovely gift presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover almond snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for up to a week, maintaining their delicate texture and flavor without drying out.

Freezing

If I want to prep ahead, I freeze the shaped but unbaked cookies on a parchment-lined tray. Once frozen solid, I transfer them into a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, I just pop them into the oven straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, I pop them in a warm oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes to regain a just-baked softness. Avoid microwaving, which can make them tough or rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute other nuts for almonds in this recipe?

Absolutely! While almonds are classic here, you can substitute finely ground pecans or walnuts for a different but equally delicious flavor profile. Just toast them lightly before grinding to boost their nuttiness.

How do I prevent the jam from leaking during baking?

The key is to pinch the two dough balls together very tightly around the jam and ensure the jam is completely enclosed. Chilling the shaped cookies before baking also helps the dough hold its shape and reduces leaking.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can shape these cookies and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze them unbaked for longer storage. This makes it super convenient to prepare ahead of holiday parties or gift-giving.

What’s the best way to store leftover Almond Filled Snowball Cookies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for about a week. If you want longer storage, freeze them after baking, and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy. Avoid humid environments to keep the sugar coating intact.

Final Thoughts

These Almond Filled Snowball Cookies are a special little slice of joy in my kitchen, and I’m confident they’ll win your heart, too. Whether you’re baking for holidays, gifts, or just to enjoy with a warm drink on a crisp afternoon, they’re sure to become a recipe you return to again and again. So grab your rolling pin and jam—you’re about to bake something truly delightful!