National Almond Day | Almond Snowball Cookies
I wonder what would happen if I just drank the almond extract right from the bottle.
Oh dang. A quick Google search told me it could be dangerous. I’m not weird enough (almost, but not quite) to drink pure almond extract, but I can say that almond is one of my favorite flavors. I can’t get enough of it.
Jordan Almonds were my favorite candy growing up. Delicious, sweet almond wrapped in a hard candy shell = perfection. I remember looking forward to weddings because at the time, a wedding wasn’t complete without Jordan Almonds as a favor. The struggle was real in selecting honey sticks over almonds for my wedding. I also love almond cookies AND we had an almond wedding cake at our wedding.
In fact, back when I was 16 and completely single, I decided on having an almond wedding cake after working a bridal show at the Publix store I was employed at. I basically walked around for 4 hours, tasting dessert and answering the occasional customer’s question. I fell in love with almond desserts right then and there. Fast forward 13 years and it became reality as I was smashed in the face by my husband and had to lick my cheeks for some deliciousness.
But enough about my obsession because I could go on for days. Let’s discuss the cookies I made for National Almond Day, a day much anticipated by me, OBVIOUSLY.
Again, my cousin Stef came through and shared her great grandmother’s Almond Snowball Cookies recipe with me. When I received the recipe from Stefanie, she said, “I have to admit I have never tried to make them because she used to make them so good, it wasn’t even worth me trying.”
Well, Stefanie (and readers), I can tell you that I know how it is to try a simple family recipe and still not be able to get it quite right. It’s something about the love that only a grandparent can put into a dish, and perhaps we will all rival that one day, but these cookies will still make your almond-loving heart do a quick pitter patter.
Make sure to plan them for a party or to share because otherwise you’ll eat all three dozen. I promise you that.
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup blanched almonds, ground
- Preheat oven to 350*F.
- Cream butter in large bowl until light. Add sugar, creaming well until mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, sift flour and salt together. Blend into creamed mixture. Stir in almonds.
- Shape into balls the size of a walnut. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly browned.
- Remove from cookie sheet and roll in additional confectioners’ sugar. Allow to cool on rack before rolling again in more confectioners’ sugar.
- Feel yourself measure up to me in your almond-loving potential.
Almond Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup blanched almonds, ground
Tomorrow: National Indian Pudding Day
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