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 utterly delightful about biting into a tender, buttery cookie with a sweet almond center, powdered sugar dusted on top like fresh snow. This Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe is one of my all-time favorites for festive gatherings or just a cozy afternoon treat—it feels like a little celebration in every bite.

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

This Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, mostly because it perfectly balances a delicate crumb with a hidden jammy surprise inside. Plus, they're a neat little project that feels so rewarding when you pull them freshly dusted from the oven.

Perfect Texture: These cookies are tender and buttery, melting in your mouth without being too crumbly or dry.
Delicious Almond Flavor: Toasting and grinding the almonds adds a rich, nutty depth that’s genuinely irresistible.
Hidden Jam Center: The raspberry jam filling gives a sweet, fruity contrast that makes every bite exciting.
Simple Yet Special: With just a handful of ingredients, these cookies feel fancy enough for holidays but are easy enough for weeknight baking.

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

Each ingredient plays an important role in creating these classic cookies. From the buttery base to that wonderful almond texture and the surprise jam filling, I always recommend using the best quality you can find—it really makes a 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 foundation for the dough, giving that traditional crumb without being too cakey.
Toasted Ground Almonds: Toasting brings out the nut's aroma and flavor, while grinding ensures even distribution through the dough.
Pinch of Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
Unsalted Butter at Room Temperature: Soft butter whipped with sugar creates the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Powdered Sugar: Used both in the dough and for coating—giving a smooth, delicate sweetness.
Almond Extract: Adds an intense nutty fragrance that amplifies the almond flavor.
Seedless Raspberry Jam: The filling adds a fruity zing without interfering with the cookie’s texture, thanks to the seedless variety.

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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

I love trying little twists on this Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—there’s room for creativity here!

Variation: Once, I swapped raspberry jam for apricot, and that warm fruity flavor was a total hit with guests — you could also experiment with other seedless jams like strawberry or peach.
Diet-Friendly Tip: For a gluten-free version, I’ve successfully used almond flour mixed with a bit of gluten-free flour blend to maintain texture.
Seasonal Twist: Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough adds a cozy vibe perfect for fall and winter months.

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

Step 1: Toast and Grind the Almonds

This is where the magic starts. Toasting the almonds lightly in a pan until fragrant really ups the nutty flavor. Once they cool, pulse them in a food processor until finely ground but not almond butter. This step is the secret to that wonderful almond aroma throughout the cookie.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, toasted ground almonds, and a pinch of salt. This ensures everything is evenly mixed before incorporating the wet ingredients, helping the cookies bake evenly.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric hand mixer, I beat the room-temperature butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale. This step traps air, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 4: Add Almond Extract and Dry Ingredients

Next, I mix in the almond extract to boost the flavor, then gradually add the flour mixture. Mixing just until combined keeps the dough tender, avoiding overworking the gluten which can make cookies tough.

Step 5: Shape and Fill the Cookies

This part takes a bit of patience but is so worth it! Take two 1-inch dough balls and gently hollow out the center of each one with your fingers. Add a scant half teaspoon of seedless raspberry jam, then press the two halves together, pinching the edges to seal. Roll into a smooth ball, and place it on a parchment-lined sheet.

Step 6: Chill Before Baking

Pop the shaped cookies in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Chilling firms the butter which helps keep the cookies’ shape during baking, preventing them from spreading too much.

Step 7: Bake and Sugar Coat

Bake the cookies at 350°F until the bottoms just begin to brown (about 11-12 minutes). When they come out, roll them while warm in powdered sugar, then let cool completely before giving them another dusting. This double coating keeps the snowball effect wonderfully intact.

Top Tip

Making Almond Filled Snowball Cookies is a bit of a hands-on process, but once I found these tricks, it became so much easier and enjoyable. Here are a few tips that helped me avoid common pitfalls:

Toast Almonds Properly: Watch the almonds closely while toasting to avoid burning — just golden and fragrant is perfect.
Don’t Overmix: Once the flour and almonds hit the butter, mix just enough to combine — overmixing leads to tougher cookies.
Seal Jam Well: Pinch the dough firmly around the jam so the filling doesn’t leak during baking.
Chill Dough Enough: Patience here pays off by keeping the cookie shape intact rather than spreading flat.

How to Serve Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe

Almond Snowball Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically keep it classic with a generous sift of powdered sugar, which gives the cookies their signature snowy look. Sometimes, for holiday decor, I sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or crushed toasted almonds on top for extra sparkle and texture.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea or fresh coffee. For a festive spread, I like to serve them alongside spiced hot chocolate, slices of fresh fruit, or a simple plate of assorted nuts.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange the cookie snowballs in a pyramid shape on a decorative plate or tiered stand, dusted with extra sugar snow. Wrapping them individually in festive cellophane bags tied with ribbons also makes for beautiful edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for up to a week—powdered sugar coating might require a quick fresh dusting before serving again.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm for these snowball cookies! I freeze the shaped (uncooked) dough balls on a tray first, then transfer to freezer bags. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. The cookies keep well frozen for up to three months.

Reheating

If you want to warm them up, popping the cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes refreshes their softness without melting the sugar coating. Avoid microwaving as it can make them too soft or sweaty.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of jam instead of raspberry?

Absolutely! I recommend using seedless jams like apricot, strawberry, or peach to avoid seeds leaking out and ruining the texture. Just be sure to keep the amount modest so the cookies hold together well.

How do I prevent the jam from leaking during baking?

Pinching the dough firmly and completely around the jam filling is key. Also, chilling the cookies before baking helps the butter firm up so the dough seals tightly and keeps everything inside.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, or try using almond flour with a bit of gluten-free starch for structure. The texture might vary slightly but the cookies will still be delicious.

How long will these cookies keep at room temperature?

When stored properly in an airtight container, the Almond Filled Snowball Cookies stay fresh and tender for up to a week at room temperature, though they can keep even longer if you prefer.

Final Thoughts

I know this Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe might seem like a bit of work at first, especially shaping and filling each cookie. But trust me, every step is worth it for the tender, nutty, jam-filled result. Each batch reminds me of cozy afternoons spent baking with friends and enjoying those tiny bursts of raspberry inside. Give it a try with your loved ones—you’ll be glad you did, and I bet it’ll become a family favorite fast!