Festive Almond Butter Squares have become my go-to whenever the holiday season rolls around, and I’ve discovered they’re the perfect little bite to share. I remember my aunt making these for Christmas one year, and the delicate, buttery aroma filled her whole house, making it feel extra cozy. The tiny colorful nonpareils on top just scream celebration! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re melt-in-your-mouth delights that make for fantastic holiday almond butter treats. If you’re looking for an easy almond butter squares recipe that’s both impressive and simple, you’ve found it. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Festive Almond Butter Squares Recipe
These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a delightful addition to any holiday spread. Here’s why you’ll adore them:
- Incredible Taste: Experience a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a subtle, delicious almond flavor.
- Super Quick Prep: You can whip up the dough in just 15 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute baking.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Kids love helping to mix the dough and add the colorful sprinkles, making these great festive almond butter cookies for everyone.
- Budget-Conscious Baking: Made with simple pantry staples, these are an affordable way to enjoy homemade holiday treats.
- Visually Appealing: The colorful nonpareils make these festive shortbread cookies a joy to look at.
- Perfect for Gifting: Package these pretty festive almond butter cookies in tins for a thoughtful homemade present.
- Easy to Share: Their small, bite-sized nature makes them ideal for cookie platters and gatherings.
Ingredients for Festive Almond Butter Squares
Gather these simple ingredients to create your delightful holiday treats:
- 120g butter, softened – using softened butter is key for a creamy texture
- 50g sugar – provides sweetness and helps with browning
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract – this is our star ingredient, giving these festive almond butter squares their signature nutty aroma and flavor
- 155g all-purpose flour – forms the base of our delicate shortbread
- ¼ teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness and enhances flavor
- 4 teaspoons multi-colored nonpareils – these little gems add the festive sparkle that makes them perfect for Christmas
How to Make Festive Almond Butter Squares
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 165°C (325°F). This gentle heat is crucial for achieving that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lining it with plastic wrap, ensuring about a 1-inch overhang on all sides. This makes lifting the baked dough out a breeze, perfect for creating uniform homemade festive almond butter bites.
- Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, 50g sugar, and the essential ¼ teaspoon almond extract. Beat these together with an electric mixer on medium speed. You’re looking for a light and creamy consistency, so remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.
- Step 3: Once the butter mixture is creamy, reduce your mixer’s speed to low. Gradually add the 155g all-purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix just until the ingredients are well combined and no dry flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. Gently stir in the 4 teaspoons multi-colored nonpareils, distributing them throughout the dough.
- Step 4: Now, it’s time to bring the dough together. In the bowl, knead the mixture gently with your hands about 4-5 times until it forms a cohesive ball. This is where the magic starts to happen, transforming the ingredients into the base for your delicious homemade festive almond butter bites.
- Step 5: Pat the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth, flat layer. Use the overhanging plastic wrap to carefully lift the entire dough slab out of the pan. Transfer it to a clean cutting surface. Cut the dough into small, uniform 1.3cm (½-inch) squares. Arrange these little squares about 1.3cm apart on ungreased cookie sheets, ready for their bake.
- Step 6: Bake the squares for 13-15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the bottoms just begin to show a hint of light brown color. The aroma filling your kitchen will be incredibly enticing, signaling that your delightful festive almond butter squares are almost ready. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets before serving or storing.
Pro Tips for the Best Festive Almond Butter Squares
Achieving that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture for your holiday treats is all about a few key details. Follow these tips to make your festive almond butter squares absolutely unforgettable:
- Ensure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This creates the best creamy base for the dough.
- Don’t overmix the flour into the butter mixture; stop as soon as it’s combined to keep the texture delicate.
- Bake only until the edges are *just* starting to turn golden. Overbaking will make them hard instead of tender.
- Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them. They are quite fragile when warm.
What’s the secret to perfect Festive Almond Butter Squares?
The secret lies in the gentle baking temperature (325°F) and not overworking the dough. This combination ensures a delicate, crumbly texture that truly makes them the best almond butter cookie recipe for the holidays.
Can I make Festive Almond Butter Squares ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Just bring it to room temperature for a few minutes before patting it into the pan and baking.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Festive Almond Butter Squares?
The most common pitfalls are overbaking, which leads to hard cookies, and overmixing, which results in a tough texture. Always watch for those lightly browned bottoms and stop mixing the flour as soon as it’s just combined.
Best Ways to Serve Festive Almond Butter Squares
These delightful little squares are incredibly versatile and perfect for any holiday gathering. They truly shine as a beautiful almond butter dessert for holidays when presented on a festive platter alongside other seasonal treats. Imagine them nestled amongst gingerbread cookies and frosted sugar cookies – the colorful nonpareils add such a cheerful touch! For a more decadent experience, try serving them with a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a rich hot chocolate. They also pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a simple yet elegant dessert.
Nutrition Facts for Festive Almond Butter Squares
These delightful little bites are perfect for sharing during the holidays. Here’s a look at the estimated nutritional breakdown per cookie:
- Calories: 67
- Fat: 4.1 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.2 g
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
How to Store and Reheat Festive Almond Butter Squares
Keeping your delicious celebration almond butter squares fresh is easy! Once baked, it’s crucial to let them cool completely on the baking sheets. This prevents them from becoming soggy. After they’ve cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer-term enjoyment, these delightful festive almond butter squares freeze beautifully. Wrap them well in plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and pop them in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply bring them back to room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warm, you can gently reheat them in a low oven (around 150°F or 65°C) for about 5-7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Festive Almond Butter Squares
What are festive almond butter squares?
Festive almond butter squares are delightful, small, buttery shortbread cookies with a hint of almond flavor, topped with colorful nonpareils. They’re designed to look and taste celebratory, making them a perfect addition to holiday dessert platters. Their delicate, crumbly texture and sweet, nutty profile are what make them so special for seasonal celebrations.
Why are almond butter squares festive?
These squares are considered festive primarily due to their appearance and flavor profile, which are often associated with holiday celebrations. The addition of colorful nonpareils instantly gives them a festive look, reminiscent of Christmas decorations. The subtle almond extract provides a warm, comforting aroma and taste that many people associate with holiday baking, making them ideal celebration almond butter squares.
Can I use different nut butters in these squares?
While the recipe calls for almond extract to achieve a specific flavor, you could experiment with other nut butters if you’re looking for variations on these nutty holiday cookie bars. However, keep in mind that the texture might change slightly. For a truly festive experience, sticking to the almond flavor or a complementary one like vanilla or even a hint of orange extract works wonderfully.
How can I make these festive almond butter cookies a healthier option?
To make these festive almond butter cookies a bit healthier, you could try reducing the sugar slightly, though this may affect the texture and sweetness. Using whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose flour can add a bit more fiber. While it’s challenging to make a buttery shortbread inherently “healthy,” focusing on portion control with these lovely mini squares is often the best approach.
Variations of Festive Almond Butter Squares You Can Try
While these classic festive almond butter squares are wonderful as is, don’t be afraid to get creative! Here are a few ideas to personalize these delightful treats:
- Flavor Swaps: Instead of almond extract, try a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a more traditional shortbread taste, or experiment with lemon or orange zest for a bright, citrusy twist. These simple changes can turn them into wonderfully different simple festive almond butter desserts.
- Gluten-Free Option: For those with dietary restrictions, you can easily make these gluten-free by substituting a good quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious nutty holiday cookie bars!
- Decorative Sprinkles: Beyond nonpareils, consider using festive-colored sanding sugar, edible glitter, or even mini chocolate chips stirred into the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Dipped Delights: Once cooled, dip half of each cookie into melted white or dark chocolate for an extra touch of decadence. Let them set on parchment paper before serving.
Festive Almond Butter Squares: Yummy Holiday Treats
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 256 mini shortbread squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive Almond Butter Squares are buttery, delicate squares with a hint of almond flavor and festive nonpareils. These easy-to-make treats are perfect for holiday gatherings and melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 120g butter, softened
- 50g sugar
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 155g all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons multi-colored nonpareils
Instructions
- Heat oven to 165°C (325°F). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 1-inch overhang for easy removal.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, sugar, and almond extract. Beat on medium speed until creamy, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Reduce speed to low and incorporate flour and salt until well combined. Stir in nonpareils.
- Knead the mixture in the bowl 4-5 times until it forms a cohesive ball. Pat the dough evenly into the prepared pan, then use the plastic wrap to lift the dough out.
- Cut dough into 1.3cm (½-inch) squares. Place squares 1.3cm apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Discard the plastic wrap.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the bottoms just begin to brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- These delicate holiday shortbread cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
- The dough can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Each batch makes approximately 256 tiny cookies.
- Almond extract is the star ingredient, providing a wonderful aroma and flavor.
- For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to three months.
- Variations include swapping almond extract for vanilla, lemon, or orange extract, or using different sprinkles.
- These make wonderful holiday gifts when packaged in decorative tins or boxes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Sweet Treats and Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 67
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 4.1 g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 7.2 g
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: N/A
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