Almond Cookies

Cookie exchanges are very popular during the holiday season and it is always a challenge to come up with new and different cookies for each exchange. I saw this recipe on a morning talk show a really long time ago and I have made it almost every year since. These almond cookies are so delicious…almost like a shortbread, which I love. Not to mention they go great with coffee!! 

Almond Cookies

Makes 5 dozen cookies

• 1 pound butter (4 sticks), softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup blanched sliced almonds, finely chopped
• 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven 250 degrees

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine butter, sugar, vanilla and finely chopped almonds.

Stir in the flour, the dough needs to be dense enough to handle with your hands. It may take more flour to get the right texture, so start with 3 ½ cups and add more flour if needed.

Roll spoonfuls of the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter and arrange them on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the cookies are no longer doughy and are cooked all the way through.

Remove the cookies from the oven and while still hot, roll and toss around in a bowl with the powdered sugar. Once coated, allow to cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy…and try to save some for the cookie exchange!! 😉

Do you have a favorite cookie exchange recipe? If so, we would love to hear about it!!!