Almond butter cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings — simple to prepare, crisp at the edges and tender inside. Their rich, nutty flavor makes them a crowd-pleaser and an easy choice to bring to cookie exchanges. If you’re looking for other festive treats, consider trying French meringue cookies or chewy date cookies.
Table of Contents
To make these almond butter cookies, you will need :
We have included affiliate links in the original post for convenience. Thanks for supporting A Hedgehog in the Kitchen!
- Raw almonds – organic almonds are recommended for the best flavor.
- Salted butter – provides a subtle savory balance.
- Granulated sugar
- Cane sugar
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract – Madagascar vanilla is especially rich and fragrant.
- Large eggs – fresh eggs work best.
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder – helps the cookies rise slightly.
These almond butter cookies are a standout for holiday cookie exchanges. They bake up with a thin, crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior. The homemade almond butter gives them an authentic nutty taste, but you can swap in store-bought almond butter to save time. They’re easy, unique, and perfect for gifting or enjoying with friends and family.
Tips to make the perfect almond butter cookies :
- If you prefer to skip making almond butter, well-made store-bought almond butter works fine — it speeds up the process.
- Watch the bake time closely; remove the cookies just as the edges begin to color to retain a chewy center.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm beverage such as rich hot cocoa for a cozy holiday treat.
Make these almond butter cookies your own by mixing things up a little :
- Add chocolate chips or chunks to make chocolate almond butter cookies.
- For a lower-carb option, try a keto-style version that replaces flour and sugar with suitable alternatives.
You may need…
- Embossed rolling pin – for a decorative touch, use an embossed rolling pin to imprint patterns on the dough before baking.
More holiday desserts
- Moelleux au Chocolat
- Chocolate Orange Fudge
- Brown Butter Financiers
More cookie recipes we love from other bloggers
- The Best Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Maple Brown Sugar Cookies
- The Best Chewy Molasses Cookies
Almond Butter Cookies
This recipe uses nine simple ingredients to make almond butter cookies that are crisp on the outside and chewy inside — holiday cookie perfection that’s easy to reproduce at home.
Pin for later!
Almond Butter Cookies
- Author: A Hedgehog in the Kitchen
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 27 cookies
Description
Almond butter cookies are easy to make and full of smooth, nutty flavor. They bake up crisp on the outside and tender inside, making them a favorite for holiday gatherings and cookie swaps.
Ingredients
For the homemade almond butter
1.5 cups raw almonds
For the cookies
2 sticks salted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs (beaten)
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Toppings
30 raw almonds
Instructions
To make the almond butter
Place 1.5 cups of raw almonds in a food processor and process for about 20 minutes, scraping down the sides occasionally, until the almonds release their oils and form a smooth almond butter. (1.5 cups almonds yields about 1 cup almond butter.)
To prepare the cookies
Melt the butter over low heat in a saucepan, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the granulated, cane, and brown sugars. Add the cooled melted butter and beat until creamy. Mix in the almond butter until smooth, then add vanilla and beaten eggs and mix to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until the dough just comes together and crumbles. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 27 even balls. Arrange 9 balls on the sheet at a time, then use a fork to gently press a crisscross pattern into each ball. Place an almond on top of each cookie and bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: US