With all the children home for the Holidays, the kitchen is transformed into a bakery with each child getting to work on our ever-growing list of Christmas cookie recipes. Each child has a favorite recipe which he or she contributes to the holiday baking (and eating) list.
These Swedish almond butter cookies are my eldest son’s pick for our annual cookie selection. They are easy to make and do not require a lot of time, making them the perfect treat to bring to any cookie exchange or Holiday party.
Shaped and baked almost like biscotti, these go so well with your morning coffee, or afternoon tea, and hold well for days in a cookie tin. Deliciously buttery and full of almond flavor, they also stand alone as a simple dessert in their own right. Bake them longer for a crispier cookie or shorter for a chewier version–it all depends on what you prefer! Either way, they will likely become a Christmas standard at your house as well!
The recipe for Swedish Almond Butter Cookies
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 TBSP. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 TBSP. almond extract
- 3 TBSP. heavy cream
- 1 large egg, beaten
- --- Swedish pearl sugar
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Using a mixer, beat at medium-high speed, until light. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; Add to the large bowl and mix until well incorporated. Add the almond extract and the heavy cream and mix again.
- Turn the dough out on a floured surface and form into a ball. Cut into 4 portions and shape each into a disk, about 4-inch in diameter and ¼" thick. Refrigerate 10 minutes.
- Place dough rounds on a baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle some pearl sugar on top. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Lower the oven temperature to 300°F.
- Cut each round into 10 slices, then cut each slice in half (except the short ends). Return to the oven and bake 20 minutes for crispy cookies or 12 minutes for chewier cookies. The baking time also depends on the size of the cookies, so keep an eye on them while they bake!
- Makes about 60 cookies.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below and also, rate the recipe if you can. Take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #marilenaleavitt
Thank you for reading and Happy Baking!
This is our favorite holiday cookie recipe. Easy and so delicious
This makes me so happy to know Suzanne! We make these every year too – such a favorite almond cookie!