Christmas Cookies always bring me back to the week before Christmas in my grandmother’s kitchenthe smell of butter and orange zest in the air, hymns humming softly from the radio. There were rolling pins on the table, flour everywhere, and small eager hands that wanted to help but mostly ended up with jam on their cheeks. Those little rituals are what turn simple cookies into real holiday memories.
I’m a home cook who learned at my mother’s elbow, the kind who treasures handwritten recipes from church suppers and the notes scribbled in the margins of old cookbooks. I’ve spent decades making family-friendly dishes that feel like a warm hug: casseroles that feed a crowd, skillet meals that come together on busy nights, and desserts that taste like Sunday afternoons. I test my recipes in the real world on weeknights, with hungry family and imperfect schedules so they’re practical, reliable, and gentle on the cook.
My approach favors simplicity and comfort, and I always skip pork so the menu suits more tables. When I share a recipe, I walk you through each step in plain language, like I’m standing right beside you, swapping stories and secrets. If you like cozy comfort and dishes that bring people to the table, you’ll feel right at home here. For a nutty twist on holiday treats, you might peek at ricotta-based recipes too I like to cross-pollinate ideas between classics like these and other festive bakes (ricotta Italian Christmas cookies).
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste deliver a perfect combination of tender crumb and bright almond flavor. The almond paste keeps the cookies moist and gives them an unmistakable, rich nuttiness that’s more rounded than almond extract alone. The chemistry is simple: butter and sugars creamed together trap air to make a light base, while the egg and almond paste provide moisture and structure so the cookies don’t dry out. The small amount of baking powder gives a gentle lift without turning these into cakey cookies, keeping them delicate and slightly dense just the right texture to hold a fork pattern or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Because the dough uses almond paste, you get a deep, authentic almond taste throughout, not only on the surface. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste also bake quickly at a moderate temperature, making them ideal for holiday baking marathons when you want several batches in one afternoon.
The recipe’s simplicity makes it forgiving: it tolerates small variations in mixing or measuring, so a busy cook can still get predictable results. If you like a nut forward cookie that stays moist and slices cleanly on a cookie tray, these are a reliable choice. For a crescent-shaped alternative that leans more buttery and crumbly, I sometimes reference similar ideas from my collection, such as a favorite crescent recipe (almond crescent cookies), and adapt the filling and shaping for variety.
How to prepare Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste
Ingredients :
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup almond paste, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions :
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)., 2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy., 3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract., 4. Add the almond paste, mixing until well combined., 5. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined., 6. Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper., 7. Flatten each ball slightly and take a fork to create a pattern on top., 8. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden., 9. Let cool on a wire rack and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
This section walks you through what to pay attention to while you prepare Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste. Start by softening the butter to room temperature; it creams best and traps more air that helps the cookie rise just enough. When you mix in the almond paste, break it into small pieces and press them into the butter-sugar mixture so they incorporate evenly without leaving large streaks. If your almond paste is firm, warm it slightly with your hands or microwave in short bursts to make it pliable. The flour should be added in two or three additions and mixed until just combined overmixing develops the gluten and makes the cookies tough.
When shaping the dough, use consistent-sized balls so they bake uniformly. If you want to chill the dough briefly for cleaner shapes, a 15–20 minute rest in the fridge works well. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste need only a light press with a fork to create a classic pattern; don’t flatten them too thin if you want moist centers. Watch the baking time closely: edges turning lightly golden tell you they are done, and carryover heat will finish the centers. If you want a glossier finish, brush with a thin sugar syrup after baking; for a snowy look, dust powdered sugar once cooled.
Simple serving suggestions
These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste shine on a simple holiday plate. They pair beautifully with tea, coffee, and hot cocoa their almond richness complements warm beverages without overpowering them. For a dessert board, arrange them with dried fruit, a few spiced nuts, and soft cheeses; the cookies’ sweetness balances savory bites and creates a lovely variety of textures. If you’re hosting a cookie swap or gifting tins, stack them with parchment between layers so they don’t stick. You can also wrap a small stack with a ribbon and a sprig of rosemary for a kitchen-to-kitchen gift that looks homemade and thoughtful.
For after-dinner service, plate two or three cookies with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or mascarpone and a few fresh berries. The cream cuts the sweetness and adds a cooling contrast to the almond flavor. If you prefer an extra festive touch, drizzle a little melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies or sandwich two cookies together with a thin layer of jam or almond butter.
These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste are sturdy enough to travel, so they’re good for potlucks or cookie exchanges. Keep a small jar of powdered sugar nearby for quick dusting before serving; the snowy finish always feels seasonal and cheerful. For another almond-forward texture, try pairing them with chewy coconut almond bites from a recipe I like (crispy almond coconut cookies).
How to store it properly
To keep your Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer cookies with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking and protect the fork pattern or dusted sugar look. Stored this way, the cookies stay tender for up to five days. If you want to lengthen their shelf life, place the airtight container in the fridge and bring the cookies to room temperature before serving cold air can firm the butter and change the texture slightly, but they’ll still taste great for up to a week refrigerated.
For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet pan until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty bag with parchment between layers. Frozen cookies can keep for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before dusting with powdered sugar so condensation doesn’t make the sugar wet.
You can also freeze unbaked dough balls on the sheet pan and then bag them; bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. If you choose to freeze dough or baked cookies, label the container with the date so you use the oldest batch first and avoid freezer burn. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste respond well to freezing because the almond paste keeps their texture stable, helping them retain that moist, tender bite after thawing.
Recipe tips
A few simple tips make these Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste turn out consistently well. Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling with a straight edge; packed flour adds density. Use room-temperature butter and egg so they emulsify smoothly with the sugars and almond paste. If your almond paste is particularly sweet or sticky, you can pulse it briefly in a food processor with the butter to help it blend more uniformly. When you mix the dough, stop as soon as the flour disappears to avoid overworking.
If you’re short on almond paste, you can use ground almonds (almond meal) plus a touch of almond extract to boost flavor, though texture will differ slightly. For a prettier finish, chill shaped dough for 10–15 minutes before baking to reduce spreading and keep fork marks crisp. If you want crisp edges and a soft center, remove the cookies from the oven when the centers look just set and the edges are pale gold. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste are forgiving, but gentle handling and consistent sizing yield the best trays. For a different shape or bite, try rolling half the dough into crescents or pressing with a cookie stamp for variety.
Flavor variations
You can easily adapt these Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste to suit different tastes. Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dough for a citrus-almond pairing that brightens the rich paste flavor, or fold in a tablespoon of finely chopped dried cranberries for a tart pop in each bite. If you enjoy chocolate, stir in a handful of mini dark chocolate chips or dip half the cooled cookies in melted chocolate for a festive two-tone look. For a spiced version, add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients the warm spices play well with almond.
You can swap almond paste for marzipan in equal amounts for a sweeter, more marzipan-forward taste, or use a mix of almond paste and cream cheese for an ultra-tender cookie. If you want a nuttier crunch, fold in toasted chopped almonds or pistachios before shaping. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste adapt well to small tweaks, so test one variation at a time and note what you like. For inspiration from other almond cookie styles, check a chewy almond amaretti for textural ideas (best easy Italian almond cookies).
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I use almond extract instead of almond paste?
A: You can, but it changes the texture. Almond paste adds moisture and a dense almond flavor that keeps these cookies tender. If you use almond extract, add about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon and consider folding in 1/4 to 1/3 cup of ground almonds to mimic the body of the paste. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste will be less rich without the paste, but still tasty.
Q: How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
A: Chill the shaped dough for 15–20 minutes before baking and make sure your butter isn’t too soft. Use a moderately warm oven (350°F) and bake on a cool baking sheet if you’re doing multiple batches. Consistent dough ball size helps them bake uniformly.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes. Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum or add a small amount of xanthan gum (about 1/4 teaspoon) if your blend lacks it. Because textures differ, you may need a touch less flour or a brief chill to achieve the same shape. These Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste adapt well to gluten-free flours when adjusted carefully.
Conclusion
If you love the almond-forward flavor of these Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste and want to explore similar traditional treats, you might enjoy a German-style almond paste cookie collection like the Almond Paste Cookies (Christmas German Almond Horns …) which offers a different shape and finish. For cookies that combine almond and sugar into a tender sandwich or drop cookie, see Almond Sugar Cookies – Pastry Affair for more ideas and inspiration.
Find the German almond horn-style inspiration here: Almond Paste Cookies (Christmas German Almond Horns …) and a delicate sugar-almond approach here: Almond Sugar Cookies – Pastry Affair.
Print
Festive Christmas Cookies with Almond Paste
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful festive cookies featuring almond paste for a rich and moist treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup almond paste
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add the almond paste, mixing until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Flatten each ball slightly and take a fork to create a pattern on top.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on a wire rack and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
For a glossy finish, brush with a thin sugar syrup after baking. Pair with tea or coffee for a delightful treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American