A perfect cookie for baking during the winter months! These Almond Sugar Cookies have a unique flavor thanks to the almond extract and raw nuts included in the dough and are dusted with coarse sparkling sugar for a sweet and snowy look.
COOK + BAKE | Published January 20, 2026
COOK + BAKE | Published January 20, 2026
Winter baking doesn't have to be complicated.
Sometimes the best cookies are the ones that stick close to the basics but do them with a little twist. (Kind of like these old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies made with vanilla pudding!)
This recipe for almond sugar cookies are exactly that: a classic cookie with just enough almond flavor and a simple sparkling sugar finish that makes them feel appropriate on a winter day.
This is the kind of recipe you can mix up without much fuss, roll out on the counter, and bake while the kitchen warms up. Then sit and enjoy a few while alongside a warm beverage while you watch the snow fall outside.
Why This is an Ideal Winter Cookie
Almond is a flavor that works especially well in winter. It’s subtle but noticeable and pairs beautifully with a buttery dough. It gives these cookies a little more depth without making them heavy or overly sweet.
The sparkling sugar is what really sets them apart and makes this particular recipe perfect for the winter season. It adds a light crunch and gives the cookies a look that feels like fresh snow — simple, clean, and unfussy. You don’t need icing or decorations to make these feel finished, which makes them perfect for everyday winter baking.
Recipe Source
This recipe was created by Curly Girl Kitchen, a food blog filled with creative recipes and mouth-watering photography. I discovered this one when looking for winter-themed cookies and especially loved the idea of using fresh almonds ground into the flour for more flavor. I'm sharing this post in my own words as part of my ongoing collection of recipes that I've made and loved.
If you enjoy this one, I recommend visiting Curly Girl Kitchen to explore more of her recipes.
Ingredients at a Glance
- Almonds - Fresh raw almonds are toasted and finely ground adding a subtle nuttiness and deeper flavor that sets these cookies apart from a standard sugar cookie.
- All-Purpose Flour
- Powdered Sugar - The key to a sweet and tender cookie
- Salt
- Cardamom - Just a small amount adds warmth and pairs naturally with the almond extract without overpowering it.
- Unsalted Butter
- Vanilla and Almond Extracts - Vanilla rounds out the sweetness, while almond extract gives the cookies their signature flavor.
- Whole Milk - Brings the dough together and keeps it easy to roll.
- Egg White - The "glue" for holding your coarse sparkling sugar in place on the top of the cookie
- Granulated Sugar and Coarse Sanding Sugar - The combination of the two is what makes gives this cookie the look of glistening snow, perfect for winter baking!
How to Make Almond Sugar Cookies for Winter
STEP 1: Toast the Almonds
While completely optional, toasting the almonds first will enhance the flavor of your cookies.
Spread the nuts out in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in a preheated 350° oven for 5 to 7 minutes, toasting just until fragrant. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before making your dough.
STEP 2: Make the Dough
- In a food processor, combine the whole almonds, flour, powdered sugar, salt, and cardomom. Pulse until the almonds are finely ground and the mixture looks uniform, about one minute.
- Add the cold butter, a few cubes at a time, pulsing until the butter is evenly incorporated and the mixture begins to look slightly crumbly.
- Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk. Pulse just until the dough starts to come together.
- Turn the dough out onto the counter and gently knead a few times to fully incorporate everything. The dough should feel soft and smooth, not sticky.
- Shape the dough into a flat round disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
STEP 3: Cut Out the Cookies
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 to 3/8" thick. Using a set of rolling pin rings can be helpful for keeping the thickness even.
Cut out the cookies and place them about 1 1/2 inches apart on a large baking sheet. Gather the scraps and roll again to cut the remaining dough.
I used a variety of winter themed cookie cutters, like snowflakes, snowmen, trees, and mittens.
STEP 4: Decorate the Cookies
Mix equal amounts of granulated sugar with coarse sanding sugar in a small bowl.
Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the top of each cookie with egg white before sprinkling the sugars generously over the top. Place back on the cookie sheet and repeat with all the cookies.
Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for one hour before baking. This helps them hold their shape and gives a better finished texture.
STEP 5: Bake the Cookies
Bake cookies on the center rack of an oven preheated to 350° for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges should be flaky and the bottoms lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
These Almond Sugar Cookies are a great recipe to keep in your winter baking rotation. They're easy to make, store well, and don't require any decorating beyond a sprinkle of sugar. Whether baking for your household or to share with friends, they're the kind of cookie that leave people reaching for more than one.
If you enjoy simple, reliable recipes that have a little something extra, these are worth making this season.
Other Recipes to Try This Winter Season
My 8 Favorite Soup Recipes - You're sure to find something comforting to enjoy during these cold weather months
Grandma's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Homemade Swiss Mocha Cappuccino Mix - Just add hot water for a delicious winter beverage
Almond Sugar Cookies
Makes about 24 cookies
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INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 egg white
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons coarse sanding sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for 5 to 7 minutes, just until fragrant. Let cool completely before making the dough.
STEP 2: Add the almonds, flour, powdered sugar, salt, and cardamom to the bowl of a food processor and pulse for one minute until the almonds are finely ground.
STEP 3: Drop in one cube of butter at a time and pulse until well distributed.
STEP 4: Pour in the extracts and milk and pulse until the crumbs come together into a dough.
STEP 5: Turn the dough out onto the counter and knead a few times with your hands to incorporate any stray ingredients. Shape the dough into a flat round disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (and up to 5 days).
STEP 6: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to between ¼ and 3/8” thick and cut out cookies with cookie cutters. Gather the scraps and roll again to finish cutting the dough.
STEP 7: Combine the granulated sugar and sanding sugar in a bowl. Use a pastry brush to coat the tops of the cookies with egg white. Then sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Place the cookies on a baking sheet 1 ½ inches apart.
STEP 8: Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
STEP 9: Preheat the oven to 350°F, then bake the cookies on the center oven rack for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove when the edges of the cookies are flaky and the bottoms golden. Cook for 1 minute on the pan, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container for up to one week.