Name: Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam 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 rolling

There’s something irresistibly cozy about these little treats—delicate, buttery almond snowballs hiding a sweet burst of raspberry jam inside. The Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe is a perfect blend of nutty richness and fruity freshness that just melts in your mouth. I'm excited to share how easy and rewarding this recipe is to make at home!

A white plate holds a pile of round cookies dusted thickly with white powdered sugar, giving them a soft and fluffy look. One cookie is split in half on top, showing two layers: a pale beige soft dough outer layer and a dark, syrupy red filling inside. The powdered sugar is spread unevenly on the plate, with some scattered around the cookies. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and the cookies have a light, powdery texture that feels delicate. 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 Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe is one of those cookies that you’ll find yourself wanting to make again and again. It has that perfect balance of tender crumb, fragrant almonds, and just the right amount of sweet, tart raspberry filling that feels both classic and a little special.

Buttery, Tender Texture: The dough blends butter and ground almonds beautifully, making the cookies melt on your tongue.
Surprise Jam Filling: That little dollop of raspberry jam inside each cookie adds a pop of flavor that keeps you coming back.
Simple Yet Impressive: You’ll impress friends and family without a ton of complicated steps or ingredients.
Perfect For Gifting: These cookies look gorgeous dusted in powdered sugar—ideal for holiday boxes or special occasions.

A group of round cookies with a light golden color are stacked on a shiny white plate with floral patterns. Each cookie is thick and covered with a dusting of white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, snowy look. The powdered sugar also lightly scatters around the plate edges. The plate sits on a red and white cloth with a floral design, placed on a white marbled surface that adds elegance to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe plays a starring role. From the toasty ground almonds that add subtle crunch and flavor to the soft butter that guarantees a tender bite, you'll want to use the freshest ingredients you can get your hands on.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with toasted ground almonds, a few grains of coarse salt scattered beside a plain white ceramic bowl containing room-temperature unsalted butter, a small white bowl with powdered sugar, a small white bowl holding clear almond extract, a small white bowl with glossy seedless raspberry jam, evenly whole and uncracked brown eggs arranged neatly on the side, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly balanced symmetrical layout, 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: The base of your dough, it gives structure without making the cookies tough.
Toasted Ground Almonds: Toasting really brings out the nutty aroma and adds depth—don’t skip this step!
Salt: Just a pinch highlights all the other flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Room temperature for easy creaming, it helps create that tender texture you want in snowball cookies.
Powdered Sugar: Both in the dough and for dusting—it melts into the butter perfectly and adds that classic snowy look.
Almond Extract: A small amount boosts the almond flavor wonderfully. Just a little goes a long way here.
Seedless Raspberry Jam: Choose a good-quality jam free of seeds so it’s smooth and doesn’t break through the dough.

📝

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

One of the things I love about this Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to switch up the filling or add a different nut, feel free to make it your own. You’ll find these little cookies adapt well to your pantry and mood.

Variation: I sometimes swap raspberry jam for apricot or strawberry depending on what I have on hand; both work beautifully and change up the flavor profile without complicating things.
Dietary Tip: Using gluten-free flour blends can work if you want to make these cookies gluten-free—just watch the texture and don’t overmix to keep them tender.
Nut Substitution: Try ground pecans or hazelnuts for a twist. Toast them lightly to get that same nutty richness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe

Step 1: Toast and grind your almonds

I always start by toasting my almonds on a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often until they smell nutty and turn golden. Once cooled, I grind them finely using a food processor but watch closely so you don’t get almond butter! This step really adds depth to the flavor that you’ll taste in every bite.

Step 2: Mix your dry ingredients

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, toasted ground almonds, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. This helps distribute everything evenly so you won’t get clumps or salty spots—trust me, it makes a difference.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy

Using an electric mixer, cream your softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial—it traps air that makes the cookies tender instead of dense. Then stir in the almond extract so the flavor gets evenly distributed.

Step 4: Combine dough and shape the cookies

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in batches, mixing on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix here; you want a soft dough. Then, for each cookie, I take two small dough balls, hollow one with my finger, spoon in about half a teaspoon of raspberry jam, and sandwich them together. Pinching edges carefully to seal is vital—otherwise, jam will leak during baking.

Step 5: Chill, bake, and dust with sugar

Once shaped, pop the cookie dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour; this helps prevent spreading and keeps that jam sealed inside. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until bottoms just brown, about 11-12 minutes. When the cookies are warm but not hot, roll them in powdered sugar, then repeat once completely cooled. Double dusting gives that classic snowball effect you want.

Top Tip

From my experience, the sealing and chilling steps are game-changers. I once rushed through the shaping and had jam bubbling out during baking—sticky mess and less pretty cookies! Taking time to seal carefully and chill your dough keeps jam tucked inside and gives you that perfect round shape neat enough to gift.

Seal Well: Use your fingertips to pinch the edges completely to trap the jam, so it doesn’t leak.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling firms up the butter and dough, preventing spreading and keeping your jam inside.
Handle Dough Gently: Overworking will activate gluten and make the cookies tough—mix just until combined.
Double Powdered Sugar Dusting: Roll cookies in sugar twice—once warm and again once cool—to get that gorgeous snowball finish.

How to Serve Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe

almond snowball cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep these cookies simple and elegant—just a generous dusting of powdered sugar is all they really need. Sometimes, I add a tiny fresh raspberry on top when serving to hint at the jam inside, which looks cute and adds vibrant color.

Side Dishes

These almond snowballs pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. For a festive spread, I often serve them alongside a rich hot chocolate or a creamy vanilla latte—perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on tiered trays dusted lightly with powdered sugar to mimic fresh snow, and added sprigs of rosemary or mint for a pop of green. Wrapping small stacks with twine and a sprig of dried flowers also makes a charming gift package.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay tender and flavorful for about 4-5 days. Just be sure to store them in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers to avoid stuck-together snowballs!

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing these cookies after baking and cooling. I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag with parchment between layers. They freeze well for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature retaining that perfect texture.

Reheating

When I want to freshen frozen cookies, I let them thaw fully and then warm them in a low oven (around 275°F) for 5 minutes. This gently revives their buttery softness without melting the powdered sugar coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular almonds instead of toasted ground almonds?

You can, but toasting almonds enhances their aroma and flavor, giving the cookies a richer, nuttier taste that really elevates the recipe. If you skip toasting, the flavor might be a bit flat.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

If you don't have almond extract, you can omit it, but it adds a lovely almond note that complements the ground almonds. A small splash of vanilla extract can be substituted in a pinch, though the flavor will be a bit different.

How can I prevent my raspberry jam from leaking while baking?

Make sure to seal the dough pieces tightly around the jam with your fingers, pinching all edges firmly. Also, chilling the cookies before baking solidifies the dough and helps keep the jam enclosed. Avoid overfilling with jam—half a teaspoon is just right.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

You can try substituting the butter with a vegan butter alternative and using powdered sugar that’s vegan-friendly. Keep in mind the texture might be a little different, so chill the dough well before baking to help maintain shape.

Final Thoughts

This Almond Snowball Cookies with Raspberry Jam Recipe is truly one of my all-time favorites to bake when I want to share something sweet but a little different. Its tender, nutty base combined with the vibrant raspberry filling just sings holiday spirit and comfort all at once. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do—it’s like gifting a little handmade hug in every bite!