Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies: A Delightful, Easy Recipe for Holiday Magic
There is something undeniably enchanting about snowball cookies. They’re nostalgic, wintry, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and beautifully coated in powdered sugar like freshly fallen snow. But when you add a whisper of almond and a bright pop of raspberry, these classic holiday treats become something even more extraordinary. Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies combine sweetness, nuttiness, and the tangy brightness of fruit in a single, perfect bite. Whether you’re preparing a New Year’s dessert tray, gifting homemade treats to friends, or simply craving something cozy on a cold afternoon, these cookies are wonderfully simple yet impressively elegant.
This recipe delivers tender, buttery cookies filled with raspberry preserves and rolled twice—yes, twice—in powdered sugar to create a snowy, dreamy finish. They require very little active time, use minimal ingredients, and bake in just minutes. But the flavor? Absolutely memorable. And with their soft blush interior and snowy exterior, they look stunning on any holiday table.
Let’s dive into the magic of creating these Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies step by step.
Why These Cookies Are So Special
Snowball cookies—sometimes known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies—have a classic texture: crisp at the edges but powdered-sugar-soft inside. Traditionally, they include pecans or walnuts. But in this recipe, almond flour replaces the usual nuts, giving a fragrant, delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with the raspberry filling.
The raspberry center creates a surprise burst of fruit when you bite in. It brightens the buttery richness and adds an elegant twist that sets these cookies apart from the typical holiday treat. They’re also irresistibly easy—no chilling, no complicated shaping, and no long ingredient list.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup finely ground almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling & Finishing
- ½ cup raspberry preserves (seeded or seedless)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
You can also use homemade raspberry jam or swap for blackberry or strawberry preserves—raspberry just gives the brightest flavor and color contrast.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Dough
Start by creaming the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer. The goal is not just to blend but to beat air into the butter so the cookies stay light. Cream for about 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add the almond extract and vanilla extract; these two create the dreamy scent and flavor that make these cookies unforgettable.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt. Almond flour is naturally moist, so whisking helps distribute it evenly so the dough stays tender.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until combined. The dough will appear crumbly at first, but as you continue mixing, it clumps together easily. You want a soft dough that you can pinch into a ball without cracking.
2. Shape and Fill the Cookies
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Add ½ teaspoon of raspberry preserves in the center. You don’t need a lot—a small amount goes a long way, and too much can cause leaking while baking.
Fold the dough around the jam and roll into a smooth ball. Make sure the jam is completely sealed; this helps maintain the classic snowball shape and prevents raspberry surprises from bubbling out.
Place each shaped cookie on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave a little space between them—they don’t spread much, but airflow helps them bake evenly.
3. Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for about 12–14 minutes or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. The tops should remain pale. Snowball cookies are meant to be soft, so don’t overbake.
When they come out of the oven, they will be delicate. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them.
4. Double Coat for the Snow Effect
Prepare a bowl of powdered sugar. While the cookies are still warm—not hot—roll each one gently in the powdered sugar until fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar cling and melt slightly, forming the first snow layer.
Place the cookies on a rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, roll them again for the second coat. This creates that iconic snowball look: thick, fluffy, and irresistibly soft.
Tips for Perfect Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies
1. Keep the Jam Thick
Runny jams tend to seep out. Thicker raspberry preserves hold their shape better and make the filling look beautifully vibrant when bitten into.
2. Don’t Skip the Double Rolling
The first roll gives flavor; the second gives beauty.
3. Almond Extract Matters
It’s the ingredient that elevates simple butter cookies into aromatic, bakery-level treats.
4. Store Properly
These cookies stay fresh for up to a week in an airtight container. Their flavor deepens after a day or two as the sugar melts into the dough.
5. Freeze for Later
You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months, or freeze the unbaked filled dough balls and bake later.
Flavor Variations
You can tweak these snowballs creatively:
- Lemon Raspberry Snowballs
Add lemon zest to the dough and dust with lemon-sugar for a fresher flavor. - White Chocolate Snowballs
Dip half the cooled cookie in melted white chocolate for a gorgeous finish. - Pistachio Raspberry Snowballs
Swap almond flour for finely ground pistachios. - Coconut Snowballs
Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the dough and roll in coconut-powdered sugar mix.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies look beautiful on:
- Holiday dessert boards
- New Year’s cookie platters
- Winter afternoon tea trays
- Gift boxes lined with parchment
- Hot chocolate evenings
Their appearance is so elegant that many people think they’re complicated to make—your secret is that they’re incredibly easy.
Final Thoughts: A Cookie That Feels Like Winter Magic
Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies are more than a recipe—they’re a combination of memories, flavors, and holiday warmth. The buttery base melts on your tongue, the almond aroma adds comfort and elegance, and the raspberry center brings a burst of color and brightness that surprises and delights.
These cookies are proof that simple ingredients can create unforgettable results. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned holiday baker, this recipe delivers consistent, beautiful success every time. It’s the kind of treat your guests will ask for again and again—and perhaps even the dessert that becomes your new New Year’s tradition.