These delectable Almond Meltaways are buttery, light and crispy with loads of almond flavor! Perfect for your holiday cookie tray!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Diamond of California Nuts. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make The Beach House Kitchen possible.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s only December 3rd, and I think I’ve already eaten my weight in holiday cookies!
Let’s just say, January’s going to be a long, painful month at the gym.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, mmmm k? Let’s savor the moment.
And today, let’s savor these delicious Almond Meltaways.
I created these yummy holiday cookies with the help of my good friends from Diamond of California Nuts, and if I do say so myself they’re AMAZING!
If you’re looking for a deliciously buttery, melt-in-your mouth, lightly crisp holiday cookie with loads of almond flavor look no further folks. These Almond Meltaways are it!
They have triple, yes TRIPLE the almond flavor.
They’re made with finely ground whole Diamond of CA Almonds, almond extract and a big old whole almond, front and center on each cookie.
And you’ll only need a handful of ingredients, most of which are probably already in your pantry.
And we all know how important quick, easy and delicious cookies are around the holidays, right?
I used a combination of butter for that incredible rich flavor and shortening for that melt-in-your mouth texture. A winning combo without a doubt, and I think one of the reasons why these cookies are super special!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Almond Meltaways Recipe:
Process the almonds in a food processor until just finely ground. Be sure not to overwork them into a paste.
Definitely use the combination of butter and shortening, not just butter. I think the combination is what gives the cookies their awesome flavor and texture.
Of course, we know the other reason. The Diamond of California Almonds. Only the best of the best when it comes to nuts for my holiday cookies.
Diamond of CA Nuts are made for homemade. Their whole almonds have no sodium or cholesterol and have 6 grams of protein per serving, and they’re certified by the American Heart Association.
I’m proud to be a Diamond of California #MadeForHomemade partner and look forward to sharing some other fabulous recipes using their nuts right on through 2019!
And today, Diamond is joining me in a special holiday GIVEAWAY here at the BHK!
One lucky winner will receive a generous shipment of Diamond of CA nuts, including their whole almonds to whip up a batch of these beauties AND three of my favorite baking cookbooks for the holidays!
Baker’s Royale by Naomi Robinson, Oh Sweet Day! by Fanny Lam and The Cookie Book by Rebecca Firth. Three AWESOME books by three super talented bakers!
The giveaway will be open to all US residents and begins today, 12/3 and will end at 11PM on 12/9. I will announce the winner on my IG stories on Monday, 12/10. All the details can be found on my Instagram account (CLICK HERE).
Good luck and Happy Baking this holiday season! Enjoy!
Almond Meltaways
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Diamond of CA whole almonds, finely ground
- 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening, room temperature
- 2 tsp. almond extract
- Diamond of CA whole almonds, for garnish
- granulated sugar, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, almonds, confectioners' sugar, corn starch and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, combine butter and shortening. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add almond extract. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the flour mixture, beating until you have a well combined ball of dough.
- Shape the dough into balls, about one tablespoon each and place on prepared tray, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in some granulated sugar and then press a whole almond into the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, until just lightly browned and firm when gently touched. Let stand on baking sheet for 5 minutes, before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
Karen
For some reason, I cannot find the instructions for entering the giveaway on Instagram! I am new there and have only posted once. Those books look awesome and I would love to have them. Thanks
Mary Ann
It’s up! Good luck and Happy Holidays Karen!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I agree – let’s not start talking about the gym just yet ;) I say that because I know I’m gonna want to enjoy all the holiday treats over the next few weeks and these look like a delicious place to start! Perfect with a tall glass of milk :) Pinned! Happy Monday to ya!
Mary Ann
I know right Dawn?! I’m not going to be a holiday fun sucker! I’m all about the cookies!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Almond flavor always remind me of the holidays because of a Swedish almond cake my family used to make around Christmas. I’ll have to try these cookies to relive that experience! They look PERFECT!
Mary Ann
I really enjoy the almond flavor of these Kelsie! I hope you enjoy them!!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
These cookies look amazing! I hear ya about eating waayyyy too many cookies! I keep baking and I’ve gotta try them – right? I can’t wait to give these almond meltaways a try! More cookies to eat!!!
Mary Ann
Yay! I knew I could count on you to join the party Kathy!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
These seriously look like they would melt in your mouth Mary Ann! What a perfect holiday cookie! And awesome giveaway too!
Mary Ann
They do Leanne! I just love that almond flavor too!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Loving these beautiful cookies! Simply perfect for the season :)
Mary Ann
Thanks Jennifer! I’m all about the nuts this season!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
1. “buttery, light and crispy” <– gimme.
2. These photos are SO gorgeous!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Jennifer! I bet you’d love these!
Laura
These almond cookies are so lovely, Mary Ann! I love anything almond, and I can almost smell these baking right here in my kitchen! Pinning so I can! Thanks for another great cookie recipe!
Mary Ann
Yay! I hope you enjoy them Laura!
Kelly | Foodtasia
Mary Ann, these cookies look delicious! I love their simplicity. I bet they’re so addictive!
Mary Ann
They really are quite simple Kelly, but the flavor is anything but!
annie@ciaochowbambina
Triple the almond? These will surely go fast in my house!! I love their melty quality! Anything with almond at the holidays is a favorite of mine! Pinned!
Mary Ann
Mine too Annie! I love the buttery, crisp texture of these and I bet you will too! Hope you give them a go!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
What a mouthwatering cookie and such a generous giveaway! So many fabulous cookie books to love and share. No doubt they’ll be extra gym time to deal with come January. I’m attempting to get ahead of it now and make it a priority every day (really trying to motivate myself – lol!) Beautiful post Mare!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Traci! It’s going to be tough! So many treats baking in my kitchen this holiday season!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
These cookies look absolutely delicious, Mare!!!! I love almond everything, so these cookies have my mouth watering! I love that you used both butter and shortening too! I bet these just melt in your mouth!! I’d say they are perfect for a holiday cookie tray, but let’s be real, I don’t want to share! ;) Pinned! Cheers!
Mary Ann
Lol! The butter and shortening combo works perfectly with these Chey! Thanks for pinning!
Leigh Ann
What a great giveaway and those cookies are amazing! I will be adding these to my baking list!
Mary Ann
Yay! Hope you enjoy them Leigh Ann!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender
These little bites of heaven would melt away ALL my stress! :)
Mary Ann
Yes they would Natasha! I know you’d love them!
Matt Robinson
You seriously have the luckiest neighbors!!
Mary Ann
Lol!
2pots2cook
I have a friend that has given baby son to the world a month ago after lot of bumpy days and tears. We ( several friends ) decided to make her Christmas cookies so she could enjoy the holidays just as every body would, so while making them I will send her our ( and yours too ) love and good wishes for her and her beautiful child. It’s all about Christmas, right ? Mary Ann, at the first glace, I knew this ones are perfect to enjoy and share. Thank you !
Mary Ann
That’s a lovely idea! I know she’ll just love these! Chistmas is the perfect time to share with the ones you love!
Kevin
These are a perfect cookie for a cookie exchange, so simple yet full of flavor – they’re great cookies!
Mary Ann
I LOVE how easy they are Kevin! And all that almond flavor!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Gym? I don’t even know what that word means anymore ;) I was sold on these cookies as soon as I read ‘meltaways’. Yum!!
Mary Ann
Lol! You’d LOVE these Katherine!
Marissa
Any cookie with the word ‘meltaway’ in the title has my full attention. We make an assortment of cookies to give to friends and neighbors and this just made the list!!
Mary Ann
Yay! I know you’re going to love these Marissa! So happy they made the list!
Danielle Wolter
I just fell in love. these cookies sound so buttery and delicious. I am a lover of all things almond, so I think I need these in my life!
Mary Ann
You’re going to love these Danielle!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
I love almond cookies, these look heavenly!
Mary Ann
Me too Laura! We’re loving these this season!
GS
Please clarify if the nuts in this recipe are raw, unroasted and unsalted. So many different ways nuts are sold, want to make sure. Thanks.
Mary Ann
Hi Grace. The link for Diamond’s Whole Almonds is in the post. They are whole, unseasoned almonds. I bet you’re going to LOVE these cookies. They’re so easy to make and that triple almond flavor is fabulous. Happy Holidays!
guardian
Almonds are so energetic and healthy for a human body. which implies that this is far more healthier bcz of the addition of the milk though
Mary Ann
I’ll go for a healthy cookie any day!