Filled Almond Snowball Cookies: A Festive Jam-Filled Treat

Welcome to Sweet Emily, where baking is always simple and fun! Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of Filled Almond Snowball Cookies. These tender, nutty treats hide a wonderful surprise: a sweet, fruity jam center. They are wonderfully festive, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. This article will guide you through creating these unique, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Why You’ll Love These Filled Almond Snowball Cookies

These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a truly special delight. Here’s why you’ll adore these filled almond snowball cookies:

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Each bite offers a tender, crumbly texture that simply dissolves.
• Rich Almond Flavor: Toasted ground almonds lend a deep, satisfying nutty taste.
• Surprise Jam Filling: A burst of sweet fruit jam creates an irresistible contrast.
• Elegant & Gifting-Ready: Their delicate appearance makes them ideal for holiday platters or thoughtful gifts.
• Unique Twist on a Classic: They take traditional snowball cookies to a new level with a flavorful center.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough in advance for stress-free baking when you’re ready.

Ingredients*

Gather these simple ingredients to create your beautiful Filled Almond Snowball Cookies:

• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• ¾ Cup Toasted Ground Almonds
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, at Room Temperature
• ½ Cup Powdered Sugar (for dough)
• ½ Teaspoon Almond Extract
• ¼ Cup Seedless Raspberry Jam
• Extra Powdered Sugar (for rolling)

Notes & Substitutions

• Toasted Ground Almonds: Toasting intensifies the nutty flavor significantly. Grind almonds finely in a food processor for a smooth dough texture. The Maillard reaction is a chemical process responsible for the browning and enhanced flavor in toasted nuts, as explained by The Kitchn’s food science guide on understanding the Maillard reaction.
• Butter: Ensure your unsalted butter is at true room temperature. This allows for proper creaming with the sugar, creating a light, airy dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Note that powdered sugar is used both in the cookie dough and for coating the baked cookies. Don’t confuse the two amounts.
• Jam: Seedless raspberry jam works beautifully, but feel free to substitute with other seedless options like apricot, strawberry, or even cherry jam.
• Almond Extract: Use a high-quality almond extract for the best flavor. It truly enhances the almond notes in the cookies.
• Flour: While not strictly necessary for this recipe, you can sift your all-purpose flour if you prefer an exceptionally light texture.

Equipment

You’ll need just a few basic tools to prepare these lovely Filled Almond Snowball Cookies:

• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Electric hand mixer
• Food processor (for almonds)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small spoon (for jam filling)
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheets
• Airtight container (for storage)

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to bake your batch of delicious Filled Almond Snowball Cookies:

• Step 1: Prep Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream the room temperature unsalted butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.

• Step 3: Add Flavoring Beat in the ½ teaspoon of almond extract until it is fully incorporated into the butter mixture.
• Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the creamed butter. Beat on low speed just until the dry ingredients are combined and no streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing.

• Step 5: Incorporate Almonds Gently stir in the finely ground toasted almonds. Mix until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Step 6: Shape Dough Portions To begin shaping your delicious filled almond snowball cookies, take two small, 1-inch pieces of dough. Roll each piece into a small, smooth ball between your palms.

• Step 7: Form Hollows Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, create a small hollow or indentation in the center of each dough ball.
• Step 8: Fill with Jam Carefully add a scant half-teaspoon of seedless raspberry jam into the hollow of one dough ball. Be mindful not to overfill.

• Step 9: Enclose Filling Place the second dough ball over the jam-filled one. Gently bring the two pieces of dough together, using your fingers to pinch the edges. Ensure the jam is completely enclosed and sealed within the dough.
• Step 10: Reshape Cookies Once the jam is enclosed, gently roll the combined dough back into a smooth, even ball. This ensures a perfect spherical shape for your filled almond snowball cookies.

• Step 11: Arrange on Sheets Place the shaped cookie balls onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Leave about 1 inch between each cookie.
• Step 12: Chill Dough Once all cookies are shaped and on the baking sheets, place them in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Chilling is crucial for preventing spreading. According to Food Bloggers of Canada, chilling cookie dough prevents spreading by delaying butter melting and allowing the flour to absorb moisture.

• Step 13: Preheat Oven While the cookies chill, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Step 14: Bake Cookies Bake the chilled cookies for 11 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms just begin to turn a very light golden color. The cookies should still look pale on top.

• Step 15: First Sugar Coating Remove the cookies from the oven. While they are still warm (but not hot enough to melt completely), gently roll them in extra powdered sugar. This first coating adheres best to warm cookies.
• Step 16: Second Sugar Coating Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time. This creates that iconic, beautiful snowball appearance.
• Step 17: Store Cookies Transfer the completely cooled and double-coated Filled Almond Snowball Cookies to an airtight container for storage.

Pro Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies

• Toast Almonds Right: Spread raw almonds on a baking sheet and toast at 300°F (150°C) for 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool before grinding for optimal flavor.
• Grind Finely: Use a food processor to grind your toasted almonds into a fine meal. Larger pieces can make the dough difficult to shape and lead to crumbly cookies.
• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Don’t skip the chilling step. Cold dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, helping them maintain their perfect ball shape and keeping the jam inside.
• Portion Control: Aim for small, uniform cookie balls. This ensures even baking and makes them easier to handle and fill without leakage.
• Gentle Filling: Use only a scant half-teaspoon of jam. Overfilling is the most common reason for jam leaks during baking.
• Seal Tightly: When enclosing the jam, pinch the dough edges together firmly but gently. This creates a secure seal, preventing the delicious filling from escaping.
• Double Roll in Sugar: The first roll in powdered sugar sticks to the warm cookies, while the second roll on cooled cookies creates a beautiful, thick, and consistent coating that gives them their classic snowball look.
• Don’t Overbake: These filled almond snowball cookies are meant to be tender. Remove them from the oven as soon as the bottoms are barely golden. Overbaking leads to dry, hard cookies.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

Serving Suggestions

These delightful Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are wonderfully versatile. Serve them alongside a warm cup of coffee or your favorite tea for a cozy treat. They are an absolute must-have for holiday cookie platters, adding a touch of elegance and a surprise filling. These cookies also make a thoughtful, homemade gift for friends and family.

Storage

Store your freshly baked Filled Almond Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to one week. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Variations

• Jam Flavors: Get creative with your fillings! Try apricot, strawberry, or even a spiced fig jam for different flavor profiles.
• Nut Varieties: Experiment with other finely ground nuts like walnuts or pecans for a different base flavor. Remember to toast them first for depth.
• Flavor Extracts: Substitute or combine almond extract with a touch of vanilla bean paste, orange zest, or even a hint of rosewater for an exotic twist.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For extra indulgence, once cooled, drizzle the cookies with melted dark or white chocolate.
• Spiced Version: Incorporate a pinch of ground cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg into the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one of these delightful Filled Almond Snowball Cookies:

Please note this is an estimated value and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

We hope you’re as excited as we are about these incredible Filled Almond Snowball Cookies! Their tender, nutty embrace, coupled with that delightful burst of sweet jam, makes them truly irresistible. This recipe offers a unique and festive twist on a beloved classic, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying all to yourself.

We encourage you to try making these special treats and add them to your holiday baking traditions. Don’t forget to share your baking adventures with us at Sweet Emily!

Filled Almond Snowball Cookies: A Festive Jam-Filled Treat

These festive snowball cookies feature a tender, almond-infused dough filled with sweet raspberry jam, perfect for holiday gatherings. They are rolled in powdered sugar for a delightful finish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 42 minutes mins

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• mixing bowls
• Electric Hand Mixer
• Small spoon
• Parchment Lined Baking Sheets
• oven
• airtight container

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 Cup Toasted Ground Almonds See notes for preparation
• Pinch 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

Instructions

 

Instructions

• In a bowl, stir together the flour and salt.
• In another bowl, cream the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy using an electric hand mixer.
• Add the almond extract to the butter mixture.
• Add the flour mixture to the butter and beat on low speed until just combined.
• Stir in the ground almonds.
• To shape the cookies, take two 1-inch pieces of dough and roll each into a ball.
• Create a hollow in each dough ball with your fingers, then add a scant half teaspoon of jam using a very small spoon.
• Put the two pieces of dough together, enclosing the jam inside.
• Use your fingers to pinch the dough together all around, ensuring the jam is completely covered, then gently reshape the cookie into a ball.
• Place the shaped cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Continue shaping the rest of the dough in the same manner.
• Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the cookies for about 11 to 12 minutes, until their bottoms just begin to brown.
• Remove the cookies from the oven and, when they are just warm, roll them in powdered sugar.
• Once completely cool, roll the cookies in the powdered sugar one more time.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container.

Notes

For best flavor, toast whole almonds lightly in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, then let cool completely before grinding. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.