Almond Butter Ball cookies

Melt-in-your-mouth, super easy to make almond cookies that will bring raves. Huge raves! They never disappoint, keep for a few weeks and are perfect for gift giving.

These little sugar-coated butter balls are the ultimate holiday cookie.

Who doesn't need a recipe for easy gifts?

You can wrap them and give them as hostess' gifts, or take them to whatever party you're going where you don't want to arrive empty-handed. They are a crowd-pleaser. Great with coffee, mulled wine or as an after-dinner sweet bite.

Toasting nuts.

All types, but mainly almonds and walnuts which I toast lightly, and hazelnuts which, in my opinion, are almost useless if they're not toasted. Have you ever tried an un-toasted, skin-on hazelnut? Yeah, not good. If in doubt, this hazelnut loaf will make it clear.

Toasting, in general, opens flavors. Such is the case with spices and seeds that are toasted in a skillet before going into a curry or something similar. I wouldn't think of using sesame seeds in a salad without toasting them first. The same goes for the almonds in this recipe. I believe they make all the difference.

Every year I decide to make homemade gifts to give to friends, and also to those working with me.

Every year I fail, except for that one occasion years ago when I gave them boxes of oatmeal and chocolate cookies. They still remind me again every year, just in case I decide to honor my decision.

Maybe this will be the year. And this is certainly a fitting recipe.

It's similar to shortbread, so I can freeze it, giving me little space for blaming the hectic last months of the year for not following through with my gift-giving.

I have a list of holiday baking and have saved many recipe ideas so there will be no excuse to buy last-minute uninteresting gifts just because you have to.

Other recipes you might like:
Pistachio Butter Cookies
Fudgy Brownie Cookies
Coconut Citrus Shortbread
Homemade Oreos
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Easy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
Thank you for being here, I appreciate it! Let’s connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Almond Butterball Cookies

• Author: Paula Montenegro
• Prep Time: 20
• Cook Time: 15
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 dozen 1x
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (at room tº )
• 4 Tbs confectioners' sugar
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ¾ cup ground toasted almonds
• Extra confectioners' sugar (for coating)

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy and smooth. Add almond extract and beat well.
2. Add flour, 1 cup at a time and then the almonds. Mix just until smooth.
3. Gather into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350º. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
5. Roll portions of cold dough between your palms to form balls. Place 1-inch apart on lined baking tray.
6. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until they are a bit golden and cracked.
7. Let cool on a wire rack. Roll in some extra confectioners' sugar to coat.
8. These cookies freeze well unbaked. When you need them, just line them up on a parchment-lined or greased baking tray, thaw, and bake.

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Notes

Nuts: I like to toast them before adding them. Use pistachios, pecans or walnuts instead of the almonds.

Keywords: butterballs, almond cookies

Adapted from Kathleen's Bake Shop Cookbook, by Kathleen King

Paula Montenegro

I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe finder, sharing the best ones on this blog, with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.