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 coating

There’s something truly magical about the delicate crunch of a snowball cookie combined with the rich surprise of a sweet almond filling inside. This Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe brings that magic right into your kitchen with every melt-in-your-mouth bite you take. Trust me, they’re worth every minute you spend making them!

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 is one I turn to whenever I want to impress without fuss. The combo of buttery dough and lush almond jam filling makes them stand out from your average cookie crowd. Plus, they’re just so fun to make — folding that jam inside feels a bit like a cozy little secret in every bite.

Flavor Explosion: The almond ground nuts add a lovely nutty depth that pairs perfectly with the sweet raspberry jam inside.
Texture Contrast: Soft, crumbly snowball dough surrounds a gooey jam center, making each bite irresistible.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill the dough, bake ahead, and powder sugar later; they keep well and stay fresh for days.
Perfect for Gifting: Their elegant look dusted in powdered sugar makes them a crowd-pleaser during holidays or any occasion.

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

Every ingredient here plays its part in making these cookies truly special. The balance of soft butter, fragrant almond, and just the right hint of raspberry jam is what gives these snowballs their charm. Here’s a quick rundown of what to keep an eye on when picking or prepping them.

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: Gives structure but keeps the cookie tender — use fresh for best results.
Toasted Ground Almonds: Toasting amps the flavor and adds a slight crispness in the dough that you want.
Pinch of Salt: A must for balancing the sweetness and enhancing almond notes.
Unsalted Butter: Soft but not melted — creamed to create that lovely fluffy dough texture.
Powdered Sugar: Both in the dough and for dusting, it adds sweetness without grittiness.
Almond Extract: Just a half teaspoon blooms that delicate almond aroma everyone loves.
Seedless Raspberry Jam: Use seedless for a smooth filling that won’t tear the dough; fresh homemade or store-bought both work great.

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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 Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to spice things up or keep it classic, the simple dough lends itself beautifully to creative twists.

Variation: I’ve tried swapping raspberry jam for apricot or even a dollop of Nutella — both give a delightful twist depending on your mood.
Dietary Mod: Using gluten-free flour blends works well here; just be gentle when mixing the dough.
Add-ins: Sometimes, I sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the dough for a hint of warmth that complements almond beautifully.
Serving Style: Dusting with cinnamon sugar instead of plain powdered sugar adds a cozy flavor that’s fun for winter baking.

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

Step 1: Prep your ingredients and toast almonds

Before you start, toast your almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant and golden — about 3-5 minutes. Let them cool, then grind finely. This simple step brings out a deep, warm almond flavor I can’t get enough of. Meanwhile, make sure the butter is soft but not melted; it creams better that way.

Step 2: Mix dry and wet ingredients separately

In a bowl, whisk together your flour and salt. In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy—this usually takes 3-4 minutes. Adding almond extract here really perfumes the dough beautifully.

Step 3: Combine everything gently

Add the dry mixture gradually to the butter mixture, blending on low speed just until combined. Then, fold in the ground almonds with a spatula. This keeps the dough tender without overworking.

Step 4: Shape and fill the cookies

Here’s the fun part! Take two small balls of dough (about 1-inch each). Using your fingers, make a little hollow in one ball, then spoon in a scant half teaspoon of raspberry jam. Gently press the second dough ball on top, sealing the jam inside by pinching all around. Reshape into a smooth ball if needed, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I find chilling them for 1-2 hours in the fridge helps the cookies hold their shape better when baking.

Step 5: Bake to perfection and dust with sugar

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for about 11-12 minutes or until the bottoms just start browning—this signals they're done but still tender inside. Remove them, let cool just enough to handle, then carefully roll each cookie in powdered sugar. I always wait until they're completely cool before doing a second sugar dusting for that classic snowy look.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to get these Almond Filled Snowball Cookies just right. Getting the dough texture and chilling time perfect makes all the difference in how these cookies bake up.

Chill Your Dough Well: It’s tempting to bake right away, but chilling for at least an hour makes the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading too much.
Don’t Overfill the Jam: Use a scant half teaspoon max, so the cookies don’t ooze jam while baking — and you don’t get any tricky messes.
Handle Gently: When combining dough balls with jam, be gentle but thorough sealing edges to keep that jam safely inside.
Double Powdered Sugar Dusting: Wait for cookies to cool completely before the second coating for a perfect snowball look and to avoid sugar clumping.

How to Serve Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe

Almond Snowball Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with a generous powdered sugar dusting for serving—it adds that snowy magic and just the right sweetness. Sometimes for treats, a light drizzle of melted white chocolate makes them look extra special — plus, who doesn’t love a little extra chocolate?

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, chai chai latte, or herbal tea—perfect for a cozy afternoon snack. If I’m hosting, I like setting them alongside some fresh fruit or a mild cheese like brie to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange these cookies in a wreath shape on a serving platter, dusted with extra powdered sugar for that snowy holiday vibe. They also look festive stacked in clear glass jars tied with ribbon—makes a gorgeous gift idea, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for up to a week, especially if you keep them dusted in powdered sugar to lock in moisture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully — you can even freeze the dough balls before baking. Just shape and fill them, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes for baking time.

Reheating

I like to warm these cookies gently in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes if they’ve been stored or frozen. This refreshes the texture without melting the powdered sugar too much, making them taste freshly baked again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of almonds?

Absolutely! While almonds are classic for this recipe, you can experiment with finely ground hazelnuts or pecans. Keep in mind the flavor and texture will change slightly, but it’s a fun twist worth trying.

Why should I chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading too much during baking. It also helps develop flavor and gives you more control during the shaping and filling step.

Can I substitute the raspberry jam with something else?

Yes! You can substitute raspberry jam with other seedless jams like apricot, strawberry, or peach. Just make sure the jam is not too runny to avoid the filling leaking during baking.

How do I store these cookies to keep them fresh?

Store the Almond Filled Snowball Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure they are fully cool before storing, and dust with powdered sugar to help keep them moist and fresh for up to a week.

Final Thoughts

This Almond Filled Snowball Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen — it’s the go-to when I want to share a little warmth and joy with friends and family. Once you try it, you’ll see how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly unforgettable. Go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and make these delightful snowballs your own — you won’t regret it!