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Let me share my absolute favorite cookie recipe that will quite literally melt in your mouth! These Almond Meltaway Cookies started as my grandmother's recipe and they've become our family's most treasured treat. Every time I make them my kitchen fills with the most amazing buttery almond aroma and they disappear faster than I can glaze them!
Why You'll Fall In Love
What makes these cookies so special is how they manage to be both simple and fancy at the same time. They have this amazing shortbread-like texture that just dissolves on your tongue! I make them for everything from afternoon coffee with friends to holiday cookie exchanges and everyone always begs for the recipe.
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Good all-purpose flour measured just right.
- A touch of baking powder for that perfect rise.
- My favorite flaked sea salt it makes such a difference!
- Real butter make sure it's soft.
- Regular granulated sugar.
- One fresh egg room temperature is key.
- Pure almond extract spring for the good stuff.
- Powdered sugar for our dreamy glaze.
- Just a splash of milk to make it perfect.
Let's Bake Together
- Mix The Dry Team
- Get those dry ingredients whisked together they're the foundation of our cookies!
- Time To Cream
- This is where the magic starts watching butter and sugar get light and fluffy.
- Add The Wet Stuff
- That egg and almond extract make everything better.
- Bring It Together
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until we have perfect cookie dough.
- Shape With Love
- Roll those little balls and press them just so.
- Quick Bake
- Eight minutes is all it takes don't let them brown!
- Glaze Time
- Mix up that dreamy almond glaze and drizzle away.
- Final Touch
- Let them set until the glaze is just right.
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My Best Tips
Here's what I've learned from making thousands of these cookies: room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable they make such a difference! Don't overbake them we want them pale and perfect. And please use good almond extract it's worth every penny!
Keeping Them Fresh
These cookies keep beautifully in the fridge for a couple weeks though they rarely last that long in my house! I like to bring them to room temperature before serving. If you're planning ahead they freeze like a dream just layer them with parchment paper.
Mix It Up
Sometimes I add food coloring to the glaze for holidays my kids love picking the colors! Adding some chopped almonds gives them extra crunch and during Christmas I sprinkle them with edible glitter. They're so fun to customize!
Perfect Partners
My favorite way to enjoy these is with a hot cup of coffee or tea. During the holidays I serve them alongside other treats on dessert platters and they're always the first to go! They're especially heavenly with a glass of cold almond milk.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why don't the cookies brown?
These cookies are meant to stay pale. They're done after 8 minutes even though they won't look browned or fully cooked.
- → Why store in the fridge?
The dairy in the icing requires refrigeration. Store up to 2 weeks and bring to room temperature before serving.
- → Can I use water instead of milk in the icing?
Yes, water can substitute for milk in the icing though milk provides a slightly richer texture.
- → Why room temperature butter?
Room temperature butter creams better with sugar, creating a lighter, more tender cookie texture.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, freeze unglazed cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw completely and add glaze before serving.
Conclusion
These soft, shortbread-like cookies feature almond extract in both the dough and glaze for a rich almond flavor. They're easy to make and perfect for gifting.