Almond Glazed Holiday Cookies

Oh wow, these cookies smell like the holidays! They’re soft, buttery, and that almond glaze? Just sooo yummy. I could eat a whole tray!

They look fancy, but they’re super easy to make. Like, mix, bake, drizzle… done! Perfect for parties or cozy nights in.

Every time I bake them, someone asks for the recipe. They’ve become a must-have at our house. You’re gonna love ‘em too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Sweet Almond Flavor: The almond extract gives these cookies a subtle yet deliciously nutty flavor, complemented by a sweet glaze that elevates them to another level.
• Perfect for the Holidays: These cookies are beautifully festive with their bright, colorful sprinkles and glossy glaze, making them perfect for gifting, parties, or dessert tables.
• Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together quickly, and the dough only needs a short chill time before baking, making it a perfect option for busy holiday schedules.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for convenience. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to a month!
• Customizable: Feel free to switch up the sprinkles, add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough, or even drizzle chocolate on top of the almond glaze for extra flavor.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, make sure you have these essential kitchen tools:

• Mixing Bowls: For combining your dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: To easily beat the butter, sugar, and eggs together.
• Baking Sheets: A must for baking your cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures the cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup easy.
• Wire Racks: For cooling your freshly baked cookies and ensuring they don’t become soggy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to making these cookies just right!
• Scoop or Tablespoon: For portioning the dough evenly.

Ingredients

Here’s a detailed list of everything you’ll need to make these delicious cookies (measurements are provided in the recipe card below):

For the Cookie Dough:

• Unsalted Butter: 1 cup, softened. This will give the cookies a rich, smooth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup. The sugar gives the dough a slight sweetness and helps with the texture.
• Eggs: 4 large eggs. Eggs provide structure and moisture to the dough.
• Almond Extract: 1 tablespoon. The almond extract adds that signature flavor that makes these cookies stand out.
• All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups. Flour is the base for the dough, giving the cookies structure.
• Baking Powder: 2 tablespoons. This helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a light, airy texture.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon. A small amount of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.

For the Almond Glaze:

• Confectioners’ Sugar: 2 cups. This will create the smooth, sweet glaze.
• Milk: 4 tablespoons. Milk helps thin out the glaze and gives it the perfect consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor to the glaze.

For Decoration:

• Colored Sprinkles: Choose festive colored sprinkles to add a fun, vibrant touch to your cookies.

Variations for Almond Glazed Holiday Cookies

• Add a Zesty Twist: For a refreshing twist on these cookies, try adding a little orange zest to the dough. It will pair wonderfully with the almond flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over the glaze for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Sprinkle Variety: Experiment with different types of sprinkles like coarse sugar, holiday-themed sprinkles, or nonpareils for a unique finish.
• Nutty Finish: Chop up some almonds or other nuts and sprinkle them on top of the glaze for a bit of crunch and extra almond flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. The fluffier the butter and sugar mixture, the lighter and airier your cookies will be.

Add the Eggs and Almond Extract

Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Once the eggs are fully incorporated, add the almond extract. Continue mixing until the dough is smooth and well combined.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Once the dough forms, it will be slightly soft but manageable.

2. Chill the Dough

To help the cookies hold their shape during baking, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This step is important to ensure the cookies don’t spread too much while baking.

3. Preheat the Oven

While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

4. Shape the Cookies

Once the dough has chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You should be able to fit about 12 cookies on each sheet.

5. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may appear slightly soft, but they will set as they cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Prepare the Almond Glaze

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the almond glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle easily over the cookies. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding a bit more milk to thin it out or more powdered sugar to thicken it.

7. Glaze the Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled, dip the tops into the glaze, or use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over each cookie. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes.

8. Decorate the Cookies

Before the glaze sets completely, sprinkle the cookies with colorful holiday sprinkles. This adds a festive touch and makes the cookies even more irresistible!

How to Serve Almond Glazed Holiday Cookies

These cookies are perfect for sharing during the holidays. Here are a few ideas for serving:

• Cookie Platters: Arrange the cookies on a festive platter and serve them at holiday parties or gatherings. They will stand out with their beautiful glaze and colorful sprinkles.
• Gift-Giving: Package the cookies in a decorative tin or box to give as a sweet holiday gift.
• Dessert Tables: These cookies make a great addition to any holiday dessert spread, pairing perfectly with other treats like gingerbread, shortbread, or sugar cookies.
• With a Hot Beverage: Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee for the ultimate cozy treat.

Storing Almond Glazed Holiday Cookies

• Unfrosted Cookies: Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze the cookies (unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before glazing.
• Frosted Cookies: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep the glaze from sticking, layer wax paper between the cookies.
• Freezing: Both the dough and the baked cookies freeze well. To freeze the dough, form it into a disk or log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	120
Fat	5g
Carbohydrates	17g
Protein	1g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	10g

(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on the exact ingredients used.)

Conclusion

Almond Glazed Holiday Cookies are the perfect balance of sweetness, almond flavor, and festive flair. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday gathering, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa, they’re sure to be a hit. The simplicity of the recipe, combined with the elegance of the almond glaze and sprinkles, makes these cookies a timeless treat that everyone will enjoy.

Don’t forget to save this recipe and try it out for your next holiday celebration. Happy baking!