THE BEST Almond Cookies Recipe (2024)

Published: Nov 2, 2020 · Modified: Jun 11, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These are the BEST Almond Cookies. They are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and super easy to make, with a chewy texture and crunchy almond bits.

Original post: December 2018 | Updated: November 2020

“Simplicity wins” is one of my favorite kitchen sayings. I love it when a simple list of ingredients works together to create a delicious recipe. Simplicity and cookies are a great match especially when an element of surprise is included, which makes these Almond Cookies the absolute perfect cookie.

They are super easy to make, the ingredient list is simple and the hint of orange flavor hidden inside sets them apart from any almond cookie you’ve ever eaten before.

This is a great cookie recipe to add to your holiday baking list. It will be the star of any cookie tray or holiday gathering! If you love almonds, you absolutely have to make these cookies. The almond flavor is out of this world and the texture of the cookies will make you fall off your chair.

HOW TO MAKE ALMOND COOKIES

MAKE THE COOKIES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugar, egg and almond extract. Beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps.

In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter-sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined. Stir in the sliced or ground almonds and orange zest.

Using a medium cookie scoop, drop the dough by 1 1/2 tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes, or until bottoms are very slightly golden. Let cool.

MAKE THE ICING

Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the confectioner’s sugar, milk and extract. Beat on medium speed until icing is smooth.

ASSEMBLE THE COOKIES

Drizzle icing over the cooled cookies, top with orange zest and place a sliced almond on top for good measure. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

RECIPES NOTES

Use a medium cookie scoop for best results. If you do not have a cookie scoop, scoop out rounded tablespoons of batter and roll into balls using your hands.
Be careful not to over-bake these! They are pretty quick bakers, so start looking for that light golden bottom around the 8-minute mark.
Promise me you will not skip out on the orange zest. That one simple little ingredient sends these cookies over the edge of cookie greatness.
Almond Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days in an air-tight container at room temperature, or freeze for 4-6 months.
Replace half of the flour in the recipe with almond flour for an EXTRA punch of almond flavor.

HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE ICING

Simple icing is one of my favorite things to drizzle on top of desserts because it takes less than 5 minutes to pull a batch together and the flavor it adds is unparalleled.

SALTED BUTTER VS UNSALTED BUTTER

Ahh, the great baking debate. Many bakers use unsalted butter in their baked goods in order to avoid over-salting. I, however, believe that there is no such thing as “over-salting.”

I always use salted butter in my baked goods (and for everything else under the sun) because it gives everything I make an extra touch of salty deliciousness. If you go the unsalted route, keep in mind that you may need to add a bit extra salt to the recipe!

WHY ARE MY COOKIES FLAT

If your cookies are coming out of the oven looking flat, you either haven’t used the appropriate leavening agents (baking powder or baking soda) or you have used too little flour.

If the cookies are flat and greasy, you may have used too much butter. Follow baking recipes very closely to avoid making flat cookies!

HOW TO KEEP COOKIES SOFT

For optimal cookie softness, allow them to cool completely after coming out of the oven and store as stated in the directions. Some cookies store best in the fridge while others store well while covered at room temperature.

CAN YOU FREEZE COOKIE DOUGH

Cookie dough is PERFECT for freezing! It’s one of the things I love most about it. Place prepared cookie dough into a resealable freezer bag and press as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to six months.

When you are ready to make the cookies, allow the dough to thaw completely in the fridge overnight then bake as directed.

BEST TREATS FOR HOLIDAY BAKING

These delicious Chewy Gingersnaps are the perfect chewy treat. Enjoy making these, as they are the perfect holiday baking cookie recipe!
This is a replica of the irresistible Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cake! Two distinct and delicious layers come together to make a perfect, easy dessert. Great treat for parties!
Triple Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Frosting are already a thick, perfect cookie but Nutella sets them over the edge in goodness. It’s a fun holiday flavor and they look pretty, too!
These Chocolate Kiss Cream Cheese Cookies are a great dessert for gatherings any time of the year. They are light, creamy and sugary, with just the perfect kiss of milk chocolate!
Hot Cocoa Cookies are like enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, except in cookie form. Chocolate oozes from the centers of these marshmallow-topped treats. Perfect for holiday parties and dessert trays!
Whether you refer to this irresistible treat as puppy chow or muddy buddies, you are going to be happy to have this recipe as part of your holiday arsenal. This is the EASIEST dessert to throw together, with just a few ingredients and a few minutes of your time.

Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

Almond Cookies

These are the BEST Almond Cookies. They are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and super easy to make, with a chewy texture and crunchy almond bits.

Ingredients

Cookies

▢ 3/4 cup salted butter softened (1 1/2 sticks)
▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1 large egg
▢ 2 tsp almond extract
▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1/2 tsp baking powder
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ 2/3 cups sliced almonds coarsely chopped
▢ 1 tbsp orange zest

Icing

▢ 2 cups powdered sugar
▢ 3 tbsp milk
▢ 1 tsp almond extract

Topping

▢ 1 tbsp orange zest up to 2 tbsp zest

Instructions

Make The Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugar, egg and almond extract. Beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter-sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined. Stir in the almonds and orange zest.
Using a medium cookie scoop, drop the dough by 1 1/2 tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, or until bottoms are very slightly golden. Let cool.

Make The Icing

Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the powdered sugar, milk and extract. Beat on medium speed until icing is smooth.

Assemble The Cookies

Drizzle icing over the cooled cookies, top with orange zest and serve! Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

Use a medium cookie scoop for best results. If you do not have a cookie scoop, scoop out rounded tablespoons of batter and roll into balls using your hands.
Be careful not to over-bake these! They are pretty quick bakers, so start looking for that light golden bottom around the 8-minute mark.
Promise me you will not skip out on the orange zest. That one simple little ingredient sends these cookies over the edge of cookie greatness.
Almond Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days in an air-tight container at room temperature, or freeze for 4-6 months.
Replace half of the flour in the recipe with almond flour for an EXTRA punch of almond flavor.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

FAQs

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.

Always use butter.
Choose the right sugar.
Choose the right flour.
Check your flour is in date.
Choose the right kind of chocolate.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs.
Fold in the flour.

More items...

View Details ›

Why do my almond flour cookies fall apart? ›

Typically, almond flour cookies fall apart because of a measuring error; weigh your flour to be certain you are using the correct amount. Additionally, it's important to let the cookies cool completely and set before removing them from the baking sheet.

Discover More ›

Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour in sugar cookies? ›

Can you Substitute Almond Flour for Regular Flour? Almond flour can be substituted for regular flour at a 1:1 ratio. It is important to note that almond flour may require more egg to bind the flour.

Find Out More ›

How do you keep almond flour cookies from spreading? ›

Almond flour makes up the base of these cookies and yields a really chewy consistency with crisp edges. The high fat content of almond flour means these cookies will stay super moist and not dry out! Cornstarch. A little cornstarch helps absorb excess moisture to ensure the cookies don't spread too much while baking.

Read On ›

What is the best flour for cookies? ›

All-Purpose Flour: The Versatile Choice

All-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour in cookie recipes due to its moderate protein content (usually around 10-12%).

Tell Me More ›

What is the secret to moist cookies? ›

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

Learn More ›

Can I use almond flour instead of all purpose flour in cookies? ›

You'll do best to substitute 1:1 to begin with, as many recipes respond well to this direct replacement. But be prepared to add more almond flour as you go to compensate for the wetter batter. You'll also want to keep a few extra egg whites handy if you want to ensure that your bake doesn't fall apart.

See Details ›

Can you mix almond flour and regular flour for cookies? ›

For yeast dough of all kinds (bread, rolls, pizza), add up to 1/3 cup almond flour per cup of wheat flour (all-purpose, bread, whole wheat, etc.) For non-yeast treats (cookies, scones, cake, biscuits, muffins, etc.), substitute almond flour for 1/4 (25%) of the flour in the recipe.

See Details ›

How much almond flour do I use to replace 1 cup of all-purpose flour? ›

If your recipe calls for all-purpose flour and you want to use a gluten-free substitute, try using a lower amount of almond flour—a ¾ cup for every 1 cup of all-purpose flour—and add a binding agent to act as a glue. (Common gluten-free binders are xanthan gum, guar gum, and psyllium husk).

Learn More Now ›

What is the ratio of almond flour to flour? ›

Converting from Traditional Flour

When converting almond flour, you can use a 1:1 ratio from traditional flour, however this can vary depending on the recipe. Most recipes will require a little extra flour, though, due to their different properties and composition.

View Details ›

Can you use expired almond flour? ›

Almond Flour and Other Nut Flours

You'll want to taste a bit of the flour to really judge whether it's good—it will taste rancid if it isn't. In general, like whole grain flours, these may start turning right around the "best by" date—generally up to a year if it's stored properly in an airtight container.