Raspberry-Filled Almond Snowball Cookies: A Festive Bite of Buttery Bliss

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are a heavenly combination of flavors and textures: soft, buttery almond dough dusted in powdered sugar and filled with bright, fruity jam. They’re a gorgeous addition to any dessert platter — festive, elegant, and wonderfully nostalgic. Best of all, they’re surprisingly easy to make and hold up beautifully for gifting or entertaining. The raspberry filling adds a burst of color and flavor that makes every bite feel special.

Print

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted Butter: The foundation of these tender cookies — rich and creamy for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness to the dough and is used for rolling the cookies once baked.

Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and enhances the buttery almond flavor.

Almond Extract: A key flavor that gives these cookies their signature nutty aroma.

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure while keeping the cookies soft and crumbly.

Almond Flour (or Finely Ground Almonds): Adds texture, nuttiness, and moisture.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the almond flavor.

Raspberry Jam: The surprise filling — tangy and bright, perfectly complementing the rich cookie dough.

Powdered Sugar (for coating): Gives the cookies their signature snowy finish.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl (or stand mixer), cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add vanilla extract and almond extract, mixing until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, almond flour, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten slightly in your hand. Place a small dollop (about ½ teaspoon) of raspberry jam in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the jam and roll it into a smooth ball, sealing the edges completely.

Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.

Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then gently roll them in powdered sugar while still slightly warm. Cool completely on a wire rack, then roll once more in powdered sugar for that perfect snowy coating.

Essential Equipment

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.

large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.

Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.

Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.

Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.

9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.

knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Prep time is 20 minutes, baking time is 14 minutes, and cooling takes another 15 minutes, for a total of 50 minutes.

Storage/reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 2 months. To refresh, dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

Variations and Customizations

Lemon-Raspberry Snowballs

Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy twist.

Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs

Once cooled, dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate for an elegant finish.

Mixed Berry Filling

Use strawberry, cherry, or apricot jam for variety.

Pistachio Almond Snowballs

Replace half of the almond flour with finely ground pistachios for a green, nutty holiday version.

Toasted Coconut Coating

Roll the cookies in finely shredded toasted coconut instead of powdered sugar for a tropical touch.

Gluten-Free Version

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — the almond flour keeps them soft and flavorful.

FAQs

1. Can I use another flavor of jam?

Absolutely — strawberry, cherry, or apricot all work beautifully.

2. How do I keep the jam from leaking out?

Make sure to fully seal the dough around the filling and don’t overfill each cookie.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes — refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before shaping and baking.

4. Can I freeze the unbaked cookies?

Yes — freeze the dough balls (uncoated) on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 extra minutes.

5. Can I make these nut-free?

Replace almond flour with all-purpose flour and skip the almond extract.

6. Why roll the cookies twice in powdered sugar?

The first coat sticks to the warm cookies, and the second adds that soft, snowy look once cooled.

7. Can I use homemade jam?

Yes, and it’s a great way to customize flavor — just ensure it’s thick and not too runny.

8. Can I toast the almond flour first?

Yes, lightly toasting enhances the nutty aroma and depth of flavor.

9. How do I prevent them from flattening?

Chill the dough balls for 15 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm.

10. Can I serve these warm?

They’re best once cooled — the filling sets and the texture becomes perfectly crumbly.

Conclusion

Raspberry-Filled Almond Snowball Cookies are a delightful blend of elegance and comfort — buttery, nutty, and dusted with a touch of sweetness. The surprise raspberry center adds a burst of flavor that makes each bite unforgettable. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, gifting to friends, or simply treating yourself, these cookies bring festive charm and timeless flavor to any occasion. Simple, stunning, and irresistibly delicious — they’re little snowballs of pure joy.

Hungry for more?  Visit our website for full recipes and follow us on Pinterest for daily foodie inspo you’ll love to pin!