Almond Sugar Cookies: A Soft & Chewy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Treat

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Delight your tastebuds and experience the irresistible melt-in-your-mouth goodness of soft and chewy almond sugar cookies! Made with a delicious blend of sugar and almond extract, this easy drop-style recipe requires NO rolling pins or cookie cutters, making these almond flavored cookies perfect for even the most novice bakers.

Featured comment: I’ve made these twice now and OMG… incredible!!! The perfect cookies!” – Jillian

Continue to read on for comprehensive tricks on preparing the best sugar almond cookie dough, common problems along with simple solutions, plus tips for storing cookies! And, don’t miss the step-by-step photos in the middle of the post!

Update: This recipe for almond cookies was originally published in December 2020. I made edits to the post below, including adding more information about making the best sugar cookies with almond at home.

Hi, friends! I hope you are in the mood for the most spectacular confection! Because, I have got a seriously soft, chewy, sugary, almond-kissed cookie situation happening today! And, ’tis the season for all the baking!

About this almond sugar cookie recipe

If you love cookies (because, who doesn’t?!), you are going to go bonkers for these easy drop sugar cookies!! While it may seem hard to beat classic sugar cookies, this almond cookie recipe definitely gives them a run for their money!

These almond flavored cookies melt-in-your-mouth with the perfect combination of ultra soft and slight chewy texture that will seriously make your heart go pitter patter! Flawlessly sweet, beautifully buttery and bursting with a touch of delicate, yet complex and rich almond flavor, these cookies encompass everything you love about sugar cookies and then some! They’re thick, deliciously flavorful, insanely delicious, and taste amazing – with or without icing!

But, perhaps the best part of all – these almond flavor cookies are ridiculously simple to make! And, they only require 8 easy to find ingredients! There’s no rolling pin, cookie cutters, or chilling the cookie dough required!

Whether you dunk them into a glass of milk or a sugar cookie martini, enjoy alongside a cup of hot chocolate, lovingly place them inside cookie gift boxes, or stuff one into your face while standing over the warm cookie baking sheet, this is a soft cookie recipe you will want to make again and again!

If you’re looking for more holiday sweets, try these delicious recipes worthy of a celebration next: Easy Cheese Danish Recipe, Christmas Candy, Cake Bites, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies, and Chocolate Cranberry Muffins Recipe.

Why you’ll love this sugar cookie recipe

• Amazing texture! These cookies with almond extract are perfectly soft, chewy and just melt in your mouth.
• Best almond flavor! There’s no lackluster flavor here. These sugar cookies are bursting with nutty, buttery almond flavor!
• Basic ingredients! You’ll just need eight easy to fine ingredients for this cookie recipe.
• Easy method! This is an easy soft almond cookies recipe. Meaning, these cookies are drop-style and require zero rolling or cutting. Plus, you can make this cookie dough in advance!
• Optional toppings! No holiday cookie is complete with a little extra zhuzh. For this almond flavored cookie it comes in the form of luscious almond icing, sparkling (sanding) sugar, and slivered almonds.
• Batch it! You can easily double, triple or even quadruple this cookie recipe.
• Gift them! Almond extract sugar cookies are the perfect addition to cookie boxes and cookie exchanges. (Or, word has it that Santa loves iced almond cookies!)
• Store great! These cookies stay soft for days and freeze beautifully. These cookies stay soft for days!

What is an almond sugar cookie?

An almond sugar cookie is a soft, thick and chewy variety of sugar cookie. These cookies are buttery and sugary in taste with the perfect touch of delicious, complex almond flavor.

Sugar almond cookies feature all the usual suspects found in classic sugar cookie dough – sugar, flour, butter, eggs and a chemical leavening agent (baking powder or baking powder), along with pure almond extract. This almond cookie dough can be rolled out and cut into decorative shapes (cut-out style) or formed by hand (drop-style), and is typically coated with granules of sugar before baking.

These cookies are delicious any time of year; however, they are extremely popular during the holiday season, especially with cozy, inviting cups of hot cocoa white chocolate.

Ingredients for sugar almond cookies

This recipe for almond flavored cookies only require 8 simple, easy-to-find ingredients! While the list of ingredients may be basic, the resulting cookies are insanely delicious!

(Don’t forget to scroll down for the detailed measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post!)

What you’ll need to make this recipe

• Flour: All-purpose flour provides the foundation and structure of these cookies. It helps the dough remain sturdy and thick. You can substitute a gluten-free blend – just look for a brand that can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for regular flour.
• Baking Soda: This chemical leavening agent provides lift and helps the cookies rise.
• Cream of Tartar: Cream of tartar is a flavorless, organic acid that reacts with the baking soda, allowing the cookies to rise. (See below for more on using cream of tartar in sugar cookies!)
• Salt: A touch of kosher salt enhances all the flavors in the cookies!
• Butter: One cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter adds tons of moisture to yield a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Be sure to use room temperature butter!
• Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the classic sweet flavor found in sugar cookies! Plus, it helps keep the cookies soft!
• Eggs: One large egg along with 1 large egg yolk binds all the ingredients together. Plus, it provides structure and richness. Be sure to use room temperature eggs!
• Almond Extract: Pure almond extract is the not-so-secret secret ingredient that sets almond cookies apart of classic sugar cookies. The extract adds a delicious, warm, nutty, complex flavor.
• Sanding Sugar (optional): For the best taste, I recommend rolling your cookie dough balls in either sanding sugar or granulated sugar. The sugar coating provides a little sparkle and an extra special touch of sweetness!

FAQs: frequently asked questions

What is cream of tartar and why use it to make almond sugar cookies?

Scientifically speaking, cream of tartar is potassium hydrogen tartrate (also known as potassium bitartrate), which is a byproduct of winemaking. It’s an organic acid, comparable to lemon or vinegar, and it’s often used in baking or cleaning.

Similar in appearance to baking soda or baking powder, cream of tartar is a white powder you can easily find it in the spice aisle of your grocery store.

Cream of tartar is one of those ingredients that a lot of us have buried in the back of our pantry and have no clue how to use it. While it may seem odd, cream of tartar is actually a magical ingredient that can drastically improve your cookies!

In a nutshell, cream of tartar acts as a stabilizer and bonds your ingredients together. It prevents sugar from crystalizing by activating the alkaline in baking soda. Fun science fact: mixing baking soda with cream of tartar essentially creates baking powder. However, cream of tartar gives the cookies a soft and chewy texture that you can’t get with just plain baking soda or baking powder.

What’s the secret to a soft almond cookie?

Soft, chewy, thick almond sugar cookies are my all-time favorite! I especially love the types of cookies that just melt-in-your-mouth with the slightest chew. Swoon!

• Cream of Tartar. Using cream of tartar in addition to baking soda is like using a super charged (yet tasteless) baking powder. The dynamic duo gives cookies a delicious softness with the perfect chewy texture!
• Extra Egg Yolk. One (or two) whole egg(s) is pretty standard in cookie recipes. But, adding one extra egg yolk provides a rich softness that just can’t be beat!
• Under-bake the Cookies. To ensure soft, chewy cookies, make sure you take the cookies out of the oven when they still appear to be slightly underdone. Don’t worry, the cookies will continue to cook ever-so-slightly as they cool on the pan. Over-baking the cookies will turn them crisp and tough.

What type of icing is best for sugar cookies with almond?

It’s hard to deny that most of the fun part of baking cookies is decorating them! Whether you are gifting cookies to friends, packaging cookies for shipping to family or simply arranging a cookie platter for your family, you want your cookies to be beautiful (and tasty)! But, are you confused as to which sugar cookie icing or frosting works best for your needs? Below are a few icings and frostings perfect for decking out your treats!

Best icings and frostings for almond extract cookies

• Easy Cookie Icing (seen here): You only need three ingredients for this super easy glaze icing: confectioners’ sugar, milk and almond extract. For icing that sets beautifully, I recommend also adding a touch of light corn syrup (not high fructose corn syrup)! For a super smooth icing, make sure you sift the confectioners’ sugar before using. The beautiful thing about this icing is that after the iced almond cookies sit for a bit, the icing sets up perfectly and hardens, producing gorgeous cookies that aren’t tacky or impossible to store!
• Royal Icing: Royal icing is probably the most well known icing for decorating cookies. Typically made from egg whites or meringue powder, this icing dries hard and is easy to customize with color.
• Store-bought Icing in a Tube: Pre-made icing is another great grab-and-go shortcut! They make decorating a breeze and are available in a wide assortment of colors! However, tube icing that will not harden, so keep that in mind when storing your cookies!
• Buttercream Frosting: Thick, and rich, buttercream frosting is extremely versatile and delicious! You can add various flavors, colors and even change the consistency with very little effort. However, buttercream frosting is soft and does not set or dry hard – so keep that in mind if you need to stack, package or ship your cookies!
• Store-bought Tub Frosting: Pre-made frosting is perfect for ease and convenience! You can simply purchase the tub and use it straight from the container. Tub frosting is readily available in a wide range of colors and flavors; however, just like buttercream it will not set or dry hard.
• Fondant: Edible sugar dough, known as fondant, is often used for cake decorating; however, you can also use it to decorate cookies with cute shapes!

When to ice or frost almonds cookies?

Warm cookies and icing just don’t mix! Your almond extract sugar cookies need to be completely cool before you start the icing or frosting process. If the cookies are warm when you start decorating, the icing will melt and drip right off once it touches the warm cookie!

Pro-tip: Let the almond flavored cookies cool completely and don’t rush the process. You took the time and effort making and baking these soft chewy almond cookies, so you don’t want to ruin a beautiful thing! I like to be on the safe side and make these almond sugar cookies a two-day project – roll and bake the cookies the first day, and then decorate them the following day.

Can you make sugar cookie dough with almonds in advance?

Making thick almond extract sugar cookies in advance or batching out cookie dough for upcoming cookie exchanges and homemade cookie boxes makes life all the easier! And, I’ve got good news – drop almond flavored cookies are perfect for making ahead! Whether you want to just make the dough in advance or completely bake and store the cookies for a later date, I’ve got you covered!

How to make this cookies recipe ahead of time 

• Refrigerating sugar cookie dough: You can prepare and store cookie dough in the refrigerator for 3-4 days before baking. There are two ways you can refrigerate cookie dough – as a whole batch or as individual cookie dough balls. Regardless, make sure you wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Bonus: Refrigerating the dough will help control the spread of your cookies during baking, which will ensure a more concentrated almond flavor and deliciously soft texture!
• Freezing cookie dough: If you would like to make sugar cookie dough farther in advance, freezing the dough is the way to go! Just like refrigeration, there are two ways to freeze cookie dough – as an entire batch of dough or as individual cookie dough balls. Cookie dough will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • To freeze the dough as an entire batch: Gently form your cookie dough into a cohesive ball. Wrap the dough tightly with a couple layers of plastic wrap. Transfer the dough to a zip-closure bag and remove all the excess air before sealing. Store the dough in the freezer until ready to use.
  • To freeze dough as individual (ready to bake) cookie balls: Scoop the cookie dough and roll into balls roughly 1 ½ tablespoons each. Transfer the cookie dough balls onto a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Flash freeze the cookie dough for 1 hour, or until frozen. Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer and transfer the balls to a freezer-safe zip-closure bag. Store the drop cookie dough balls in the freezer until ready to use.
  • How to thaw and bake frozen cookie dough: You technically do not need to thaw cookie dough before baking; however, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight if you desire. Alternatively, you can remove the cookie dough from the freezer and transfer the balls (arrange them 3-inches apart) to a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Allow the cookie dough balls to sit at room temperature for roughly 20 minutes to remove harsh chill. Add 2-3 minutes to the bake time indicated in the recipe.

How to make sugar cookies with almonds?

These almond cookies are drop sugar cookies. The process of making these almond flavored cookies is incredibly straightforward and foolproof – dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another, mix the two together, roll and bake! Very minimal effort is required for epically delicious results!

How to make almond cookies from scratch

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Then, set aside.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Then, set aside
3. Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl with a hand-held or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, egg yolk and almond extract to the bowl. And then beat together.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet: With the mixer on low, slowly add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just barely combined. Add the remaining half of the dry ingredients and mix on low to just combine. Then, switch to a rubber spatula and gently fold until the ingredients form a cohesive ball. (Optional: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days.)
5. Roll cookies: Use a cookie scoop to roll the cookie dough into balls. Then, gently roll each ball in sugar and transfer them to the cookie sheet.
6. Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes.
7. Cool: Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the icing (optional): While the cookies are cooling, mix together the icing.
9. Ice the cookies: Dip the top surface of each cookie into the icing and decorate with almonds.
10. Serve: Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the best homemade almond sugar cookies

• Flour: For the best results, make sure you properly measure your flour! Use a spoon to fluff the flour within the container or bag. Use a large spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup. Then, use the flat, straight side of a knife to level the flour across the measuring cup.
• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature! Room temperature ingredients form an emulsion which traps air in the dough. While baking, the trapped air will expand which produces a fluffier almond flavor cookies!
• Almond Extract: Use pure almond extract for the best warm, nutty flavor! Artificial almond extract will give the cookies a slightly off-putting, artificial taste.
• Sanding Sugar: You can roll the cookie dough balls in regular granulated sugar or you can use sanding sugar, which has a slightly larger granule size. You can find sanding sugar in the baking aisle of most major grocery stores or you can easily order it online (Hello, Amazon.). Sanding sugar comes in a bunch of different colors if you are looking to add a touch of colorful fun!
• Don’t Over-bake: The cookies will look very soft when you remove them from the oven, but they will continue to harden as they cool on the baking sheet. Do not over-bake the cookies!

Step-by-step photos: How to make cookies with almonds

(Don’t forget to scroll down for the detailed measurements in the complete printable recipe at the bottom of the page.)

Troubleshooting: sugar almond cookies

Did your cookies spread too much or turn out hard! Read below for common soft sugar cookie problems and their simple solutions!

Why do my almond flavored cookies spread so much when baking?

There’s nothing more frustrating (and uninviting) than a bunch of over-spread, flat almond cookies.

Now, it’s important to note that a little bit of spreading is normal when making drop sugar cookies! These aren’t cut-out sugar cookies where you are aiming for crisp, clean edges. However, too much spread is never a good thing! Below are a few things you can do to help cookies from spreading too much when baking.

Eight tips to prevent your almond flavor cookie from spreading

• Correct Measurements. Baking is a science. If just one measurement is off it will change the entire outcome of the recipe!
• Room temperature butter. If your butter is too warm it causes the cookies to spread significantly. You need room temperature butter.
• Don’t use expired baking soda. Baking soda (along with cream of tartar) is what helps these cookies rise while baking. However, baking soda will lose its leavening abilities over time. Always check the expiration date!
• Don’t over-mix. Over-beating the ingredients together will force too much air into the dough, causing the cookies to collapse and flatten when baking.
• Chill the cookie dough. This dough does not require chilling. However, if super thick cookies are your aim, you may want to consider chilling the dough for 2 hours. When you chill the dough it solidifies the butter (fat). Meaning, the longer the fat stays in a solid state in the oven, the less your cookies will spread. Thus, cold dough equals less spreading.
• Quality Cookie Sheets. You need a heavy-duty cookie sheet! Cheap cookie sheets will not heat evenly. Look for a light-colored aluminum cookie sheet versus a dark one that heats up too quickly.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats. Always cover your cookie sheet with parchment or a Silpat, rather than grease them with oil. Cookies will spread more when they are sitting on a greasy surface. Parchment or a mat gives the cookie dough grip.
• Bake on the middle rack, one sheet at a time: For even cooking, make sure you bake your almond extract cookies on the middle rack in the oven. You need even heat for the cookies uniformly spread.

Why did my sugar cookie almond turn out hard?

The last thing you want are rock hard cookies if you are aiming for perfectly soft almond extract sugar cookies! Read the tips below to ensure you aren’t making a common mistake that results in unappetizing hard cookies!

Four common mistakes when making almond flavored cookie 

• Your butter is too warm. Baking is a science and your butter needs to be room temperature. I know it’s highly annoying when all you want are cookies and you want them now (and your butter happens to be cold. Thank you very much.). The biggest mistake you can make is throwing those sticks of butter into the microwave and nuking them – this will make the butter too soft. And, butter that is too soft will cause your cookies to turn out greasy and unappetizing. Tip: Let your butter stand at room temperature for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it is soft and just gives to gentle pressure.
• Over-beating the dough. Over-beating or overworking sugar cookie dough will result in cookies that are very tough and hard. Cream your butter and sugar until just light and fluffy (1-2 minutes). And, do not over-mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients – mix them until almost combined and then use a spatula to gently fold until you form a cohesive ball.
• Greasing your cookie sheet. Using butter or cooking spray to grease your cookie sheet will cause your cookie dough to overly spread when baking, which will result in flat, hard cookies. Always line your cookie sheets with parchment or Silpat.
• Over-baking the cookies. Never bake soft almond flavored cookies until they are golden brown. In the case of sugar cookies, golden brown does not mean delicious! Over-baked cookies will be hard, thin and crunchy, instead of deliciously soft and chewy. Remove cookies from the oven when they look a little under-baked. If the edges of your cookies are golden brown, you have baked them too long!

Storing and freezing sugar cookies almond

How to store sugar almond cookies recipe

After going through the effort of making, rolling and baking almond sugar cookies, you want to keep those cookies as soft, chewy and delicious as they were when they were fresh out of the oven!

Maybe you want to send the cookies as part of a care package or a holiday cookie box? Or, perhaps you are simply looking to store leftover freshly baked cookies? Below are tips and tricks for keeping homemade cookies fresh!

Storing baked cookies

• Storing cookies for gifting: Homemade sugar cookies with almond are perfect for gifting! However, you want to make sure your cookies are fresh upon delivery! The best and most aesthetic way to keep cookies moist is to use a round airtight cookie tin or container. Layer a flour tortilla along with a sheet of (round) parchment paper between the layers of cookies. The moisture from the tortillas will keep the cookies soft, while the sheet of parchment paper keeps them somewhat camouflaged from view!
• Storing leftover baked cookies: To keep homemade soft and chewy cookies from turning dry and crisp, store them in a resealable bag at room temperature. Add a small piece of bread (about ½ a slice) to the bag and remove all excess air before sealing.

Tips for storing your cookies

• Don’t store hot or warm: Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing. Never store them while they’re still hot or warm as the trapped heat will lock in too much moisture, causing the cookies to become soggy!
• Add a bit of moisture: Adding moisture to your cookie container will help keep the cookies soft and fresh. Try using a flour tortilla, slightly damp paper towel or half a slice of bread to help maintain moisture!
• Store at room temperature: To ensure drop cookies stay soft during storage, store them at room temperature in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

How long will sugar cookies with almond keep?

Almond sugar cookies will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 5 days.

To extend the shelf life of baked cookies, store them in the freezer! (See below for tips on freezing cookies!)

Pro-tip: To revive and restore cookies almond to their original just-baked freshness, try re-warming them in a 400-degree oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before serving warm!

Can I freeze a sugar cookie almond?

Looking to freeze your cookies so you can enjoy them at a later date!? Perfect! These almond extract sugar cookies freeze beautifully – both with icing and without!

Freezing cookies

• Make the cookies: Prepare the cookie dough, roll and bake the almond flavored cookies according to recipe instructions.
• Cool completely: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
• Glaze (optional): Dip the cookies in the glaze (icing) and let the glaze set completely – it shouldn’t be tacky or wet to the touch!
• Flash Freeze: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and add the cookies on top. Then, place the almond icing sugar cookies in the freezer and flash freezer for an hour, or until frozen.
• Store: Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe resealable bag or storage container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• To enjoy: Thaw the cookies in the bag or container at room temperature. Serve and enjoy!

Pro-tip: If you are freezing glazed (or iced) cookies, it’s best to stack them in a freezer-safe airtight container. Place sheets of wax paper between the layers of cookies to avoid ruining the icing.

I will be taking off the next two weeks to celebrate the holidays with my family. And, bake all the soft sugar cookies with almond extract of course! Don’t forget to serve them with a sugar cookie drink for an sugary treat of epic proportions!

So, from my kitchen to yours, warmest wishes for the most wonderful holiday season!

Cheyanne

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More recipes for sugar cookies!

If you are searching for more sugar-sweet cookie recipes, check out these easy family favorites:

• Confetti Sugar Cookies
• Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies
• Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

The best soft and chewy sugar cookies with almonds recipe👇

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