Hey there, holiday bakers!
Are you in the mood for some festive treats? I’ve got a recipe that’ll bring a bit of cheer to your kitchen.
Today, I’m sharing my delightful Christmas amaretto cookies.
They’re soft, sweet, and packed with that yummy almond flavor we all love.
These cookies are perfect for sharing—or sneaking a few for yourself!
Let’s get into the holiday spirit and whip up a batch!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-32 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed well for accurate measurement)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp amaretto (disaronno is a good choice)
- 1 tsp almond essence
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature, about 70°F)
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 1 cup finely chopped almonds
For the coating:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and make clean-up easier.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 1 cup of room temperature unsalted butter, ¼ cup of powdered sugar, and ¼ cup of light brown sugar.
Cream the ingredients together for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
To the creamed mixture, add 2½ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Avoid over-mixing to ensure your cookies stay tender.
Step 4: Add Flavorings and Nuts
Incorporate 3 tablespoons of Amaretto liqueur, 1 teaspoon of almond extract, and 1 cup of minced almonds into the dough, mixing until everything is fully combined.
The Amaretto and almond extract will give the cookies a rich, nutty flavor.
Step 5: Form and Bake Cookies
Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, which is about 2 tablespoons of dough, scoop the dough and gently roll it into smooth balls.
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned and the edges start to pick up a little color.
Step 6: Cool and Coat with Powdered Sugar
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
Then, toss them in the remaining ½ cup of powdered sugar while they are still slightly warm.
This will give them a delightful sweet coating.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the cookies immediately while they are warm, or let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Either way, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
