Almond Cherry Snowballs Recipe

Introduction

Almond Cherry Snowballs are delightful, buttery cookies filled with colorful candied cherries and a hint of almond flavor. Perfectly soft and sweet, these treats make a festive addition to any holiday cookie tray or a cozy afternoon snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup chopped red candied cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped green candied cherries
• 1/4 cup sanding sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 320 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl and beat until light and creamy, about three minutes.
3. Step 3: Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and beat into the butter for two minutes.
4. Step 4: Beat in the almond extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again for another minute or two.
5. Step 5: Add the flour and baking powder. Beat into the butter and milk mixture until fully combined.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chopped red and green candied cherries, mixing gently just to combine.
7. Step 7: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough into mounds on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least two inches between each mound.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the tops of each cookie mound with sanding sugar.
9. Step 9: Bake for 12 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes.
10. Step 10: Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a nutty crunch, consider adding 1/4 cup chopped almonds to the dough.
• Substitute the almond extract with vanilla extract for a milder flavor.
• Use colored sanding sugar to match different holiday themes.
• If you prefer softer cookies, reduce baking time by one to two minutes and check for doneness.

Storage

Store Almond Cherry Snowballs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh slightly, warm them in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of candied cherries?

Fresh cherries contain more moisture and will alter the texture of the cookies. Candied cherries are recommended to keep the dough consistent and the cookies tender.

What if I don’t have sanding sugar?

You can substitute sanding sugar with granulated sugar or superfine sugar to give the cookies a light sugary crunch, though it may not look as sparkly.

Almond Cherry Snowballs Recipe

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4.5 from 89 reviews

Almond Cherry Snowballs are delightful, buttery cookies infused with almond extract and studded with colorful red and green candied cherries. These soft, sweet treats are coated lightly with sanding sugar, providing a delicate crunch and a festive appearance, perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion.

• Author: Victoria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup chopped red candied cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped green candied cherries

Topping

• 1/4 cup sanding sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 320 degrees F (160 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking the cookies.
2. Beat Butter: Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl and beat it with a mixer until it becomes light and creamy, about three minutes, which helps to create a tender texture.
3. Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the butter and beat together for two minutes to fully incorporate it and add sweetness and moisture.
4. Mix in Almond Extract: Beat in the almond extract, which gives the cookies their signature nutty flavor.
5. Scrape Bowl and Continue Beating: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are blended thoroughly and beat again for another one to two minutes.
6. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the mixture and beat until the dough is uniformly combined.
7. Fold in Candied Cherries: Add the chopped red and green candied cherries and beat lightly just to combine, distributing the cherries evenly without overmixing.
8. Portion Cookies: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough into mounds on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least two inches between each mound for spreading during baking.
9. Add Topping: Sprinkle the tops of each cookie mound with sanding sugar to give the cookies a sweet, sparkly finish.
10. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until lightly golden and set.
11. Cool on Pan: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for five minutes to firm up.
12. Transfer to Cooling Rack: Carefully remove the cookies from the sheet and transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely for best texture.

Notes

• Make sure butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
• Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies that bake evenly.
• Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack to prevent sogginess.
• If sanding sugar is unavailable, granulated sugar can be used, but it won’t give the same sparkle or texture.

Keywords: almond cherry cookies, snowball cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies, candied cherries