If you’re searching for a festive, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that looks as magical as it tastes, these Raspberry Almond Snowball Cookies are the perfect treat. Soft, delicate, and filled with sweet raspberry jam, they deliver the ultimate blend of nutty richness and fruity brightness. Each bite combines the tender crumb of a classic almond shortbread with a burst of tangy raspberry filling, wrapped in a snowy blanket of powdered sugar. Ideal for easy holiday recipes, family baking traditions, and budget-friendly desserts, this cookie recipe brings bakery-level charm straight to your home kitchen.
These cookies are everything you love about traditional snowballs—soft, buttery, and delicately sweet—but with a hidden jam center that makes them irresistible. Whether you’re preparing easy Christmas desserts, whipping up holiday cookie gifts, or simply satisfying a craving for something tender and comforting, this recipe offers a stunning and delicious option that works for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy for beginners – Simple ingredients and minimal steps make this a great recipe for new bakers.
Budget-friendly ingredients – Uses pantry staples and affordable nuts.
Perfect for holidays – A festive cookie ideal for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and edible gifts.
Freezer-friendly – Great for meal prep and make-ahead holiday baking.
Family-approved – Soft texture, sweet filling, and irresistible powdered sugar coating.
Customizable – Easy to adjust with different fillings or nut variations.

Ingredient Breakdown

Unsalted Butter (1 cup) – Provides richness and creates the tender, crumbly shortbread texture. Essential for classic holiday baking and the melt-in-your-mouth feel snowball cookies are known for.
Powdered Sugar (½ cup + for coating) – Adds sweetness while contributing to the signature smooth texture. The coating gives the cookies their iconic “snowball” appearance.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon) – Enhances flavor and balances the nuttiness of the almonds.
All-Purpose Flour (2 ¼ cups) – Forms the structure of the cookies, keeping them soft but sturdy enough to hold jam.
Finely Ground Almonds (1 cup) – Provides nutty flavor, added richness, and the characteristic sandy shortbread texture. Almonds also boost the cookie’s festive aroma and depth.
Salt (¼ teaspoon) – Intensifies the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Seedless Raspberry Jam (½ cup) – The sweet-tart center that gives these cookies their standout flavor. Raspberry pairs beautifully with almonds and elevates the basic snowball into a gourmet treat.

Pro Tips

Use room-temperature butter for smooth mixing and an even crumb.
Chill the dough for 20 minutes if it’s too soft—this prevents spreading.
Keep jam thick by stirring it first; thin jam can leak from the cookies.
Bake on parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
Roll in powdered sugar twice for a thick, bakery-style snowy finish.

Ingredient Swaps or Variations

Gluten-free option – Use a trusted 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
Different fillings – Try apricot preserves, cherry jam, blackberry jam, or lemon curd.
Nut-free version – Replace almonds with finely ground oats for similar texture.
Low-sugar variation – Use sugar-free powdered sweetener and no-sugar-added jam.
Orange-almond twist – Add ½ teaspoon of orange zest to the dough for bright citrus flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies shine on holiday dessert platters, Christmas cookie boxes, and winter party trays. Pair them with hot cocoa, espresso, spiced tea, or mulled wine for a cozy seasonal treat. For a festive dessert board, serve them alongside chocolate crinkle cookies, almond biscotti, or sugar cookies. They also make a beautiful edible gift when wrapped in a clear box or tin lined with parchment paper.

Make-Ahead + Storage Tips

Make-ahead dough: Prepare dough up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate tightly covered.
Freeze unbaked cookies: Shape and fill cookies, freeze on a tray, then store in bags for 2–3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
Freeze baked cookies: Freeze without the powdered sugar coating, then thaw and coat before serving.
Storing leftovers: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to one week. They maintain flavor and texture beautifully.
Lunchbox-ready: These cookies pack well and are great for meal prep snacks and holiday lunch treats.

Cultural or Historical Notes

Snowball cookies—also called Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, and Butterballs—appear across many cultures, each with slight variations. The traditional version contains ground nuts and buttery shortbread rolled in powdered sugar. This raspberry-almond version adds a fruity twist inspired by European jam-filled pastries. The combination of almonds and raspberries echoes classic flavors found in French, German, and Scandinavian holiday baking, giving these cookies an elegant, old-world charm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! They’re excellent for advance prep. Chill the dough, freeze unbaked cookies, or store baked ones for up to a week.

How do I prevent the cookies from cracking?
Make sure the dough is well mixed, the jam is thick, and the cookies are rolled tightly before baking.

Can I make this recipe healthier?
Use reduced-sugar jam, a sugar-free powdered sweetener, or substitute part of the butter with a plant-based version for a lighter option.

What substitutions work for allergies?

Nut-free: Use ground oats or crushed graham crackers instead of almonds.
Gluten-free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour.
Dairy-free: Swap butter for a high-quality plant-based alternative.

Can I use different nuts?
Yes—hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, or pistachios are delicious alternatives that work beautifully in this dough.