Best Almond Shortbread Snowballs Recipes

Almond shortbread snowballs are a delectable treat that are perfect for any occasion. The recipe combines the rich, buttery flavor of shortbread with the nutty taste of almonds, resulting in a delightful cookie that is loved by all. This cookie is easy to bake and can be made well in advance, so you can relish the delicate flavors anytime you want.

Ingredients

For the Almond Shortbread

• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, toasted

For Rolling

• 1/3 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar

Directions

Baking the Cookies

1. Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Mix the shortbread: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour and salt together. Separately, use an electric mixer to cream the butter, granulated sugar, and almond extract until light and fluffy. While mixing on low, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and blend until a dough is formed. Fold the almonds into the dough.
3. Make the dough balls: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form small, round dough balls. Place these on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch or so apart.
4. Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies for 16 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are slightly browned. Remove the shortbread from oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes.
5. Roll the cookies: In a small bowl, sift the powdered sugar, and then roll the warm shortbread in the sugar until completely coated.
6. Enjoy: Once the cookies have cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight container, and enjoy as per your choice.

Variations

Almond Shortbread Snowballs can be made in different varieties too. Some variations that you can try are:

• Chocolate-dipped: Once the snowballs have completely cooled off, dip them in melted chocolate chips and allow them to set in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Lemon zest: Before making the dough balls, add a teaspoon of lemon zest in the bowl and mix it with the other ingredients. This will add a lovely tangy flavor to the cookies.
• Orange extract: You may replace almond extract with orange extract to give the snowballs a citrusy aroma.

Conclusion

Almond shortbread snowballs are a scrumptious treat that are perfect for any event. The recipe is straightforward, and the cookies can be stored for several days, making it an excellent option for busy bakers. The possibilities of customizing the recipe to suit your preferences are endless, so get creative and try out different variations. Just one bite of these soft, buttery shortbread cookies coated in powdered sugar and toasted almonds will melt your heart away.

Almond shortbread snowballs are a delicious and easy-to-make holiday treat that everyone loves. These cookies are soft and buttery with a rich almond flavor and a coating of powdered sugar that resembles snowballs. If you want to make the perfect almond shortbread snowballs, there are a few valuable tips you need to keep in mind. Here is a list of tips that will help you create the best almond shortbread snowballs possible.

Tips:

1. Use quality ingredients:

The key to making delicious almond shortbread snowballs is to use high-quality ingredients. Use unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar for the shortbread cookies. You also want to use fresh almonds or almond meal for the almond flavor. If you use low-quality ingredients, the flavor and texture of the cookies will suffer.

2. Chill the dough:

After you have made the dough, it is important to chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough to become firm and easier to handle. Chilling the dough will also help the cookies keep their shape while baking and prevent them from spreading too much.

3. Form the cookies properly:

To make uniform cookies, you need to form them properly. Roll the chilled dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Make sure the balls are smooth and round. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. This will give the cookies room to expand without sticking together.

4. Bake at the right temperature:

Baking at the right temperature is crucial for getting perfect almond shortbread snowballs. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) and bake the cookies for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly browned on the bottom. Do not overbake the cookies, as they will become too hard and lose their soft, buttery texture.

5. Let the cookies cool:

Once the cookies are done baking, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will prevent the cookies from breaking or losing their shape. Do not coat the cookies in powdered sugar until they are completely cool.

6. Coat the cookies in powdered sugar:

To make them look like snowballs, coat the cooled cookies in powdered sugar. Place about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a small bowl and roll each cookie in the sugar until it is completely coated. Use a sifter to dust more powdered sugar on top of the cookies for an extra snowy effect.

7. Store the cookies properly:

Store the almond shortbread snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last for up to a week. Do not stack the cookies on top of each other, as this will damage the powdered sugar coating.

Conclusion:

Making almond shortbread snowballs is an easy and fun way to celebrate the holiday season. By following these valuable tips, you will be able to make perfect almond shortbread snowballs that everyone will enjoy. Remember to use high-quality ingredients, chill the dough, form the cookies properly, bake at the right temperature, let the cookies cool, coat in powdered sugar, and store properly. With these tips in mind, you are sure to make delicious almond shortbread snowballs that will become a holiday tradition in your family.