Holiday Almond Balls

These are one of my family’s signature holiday treats. Come Christmas time, and you’ll be sure to find a tin filled with these…although that tin certainly won’t stay full for long! Sweet, fragrant, and extra buttery, what’s not to like about these edible snowballs?

Now, I wouldn’t exactly classify this as one of my healthy recipes. (Okay, so it could be worse. These do have that vitamin E-rich almond-base going for them.) But sometimes a girl’s got to indulge, right? I’m a chocoholic and also happen to have a fairly big sweet tooth. My philosophy: Everything in moderation. Which means every year, I always cease the holidays as a time to pull out the sugar and flour and get baking. Nothing beats the warm smells that flow from the oven or the mouth-watering tastes that ensue! And with that, I’m off…a dinging timer and some cookies in the oven are so sweetly calling my name.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Holiday Almond Balls

(Makes approx. 30-35 balls)

-1 cup butter, softened to room temp.
-1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for rolling
-2 cups flour, sifted
-1 cup finely ground almonds (grind your own into a fine powder, or use pre-made almond meal—Bob’s Red Mill is a brand that produces it)
-1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven 325F.

In medium bowl, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Slowly stir in flour and almond meal.

Roll batter into approx. 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately roll in confectioners’ sugar. Cool on rack.