Almond Butter Cookies

Almond butter is a healthier alternative to the popularly served peanut putter and alike spread products. According to studies conducted on almond butter nutrition, it contains essential nutrients and cholesterol lowering agents. Hence, several health conscious people prefer using specific amount of almond butter as a bread spread and in baking goodies. For some, crispy almond butter cookies serve with herbal tea are favorite breakfast items.

Almond Butter Cookie Recipes

Butter prepared from ground almonds is pricey, so is the price of almond butter cookies. So, you can try making almond butter on your own with simple tips. And instead of buying cookies from bakery centers, why not prepare them at home. The baking directions are same as that of regular cookies. The only thing is to make alterations in the cookies recipe ingredients and baking time.

Basic Almond Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter, at room temperature
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 8 ounces almond paste
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup almonds, finely chopped

Directions

In an electric mixer, blend butter, sugar and almond paste to make a smooth mixture. Add eggs, almond extract, and continue mixing for another 2-3 minutes. Keep this butter mixture aside, and combine together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. To this, stir in the butter mixture. If required, scrap mixture from the sides with a thin spatula. Beat well to make a consistently thick dough.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Make small balls (about 1 inch) out of the cookie base and roll into chopped almonds for coating. Place them over a lightly buttered cooking sheet, and gently press each of them with a fork. Bake the cookies for 10-11 minutes, or until the edges turn light brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a cookie rack. After cooling down, store them in cookie containers.

Gluten-free Almond Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (gluten-free)
• ½ teaspoons almond extract (gluten-free)
• ½ cup chipped dried apricots
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

To make almond butter cookies (gluten-free), the key tips is to avoid adding regular baking flour in the cookie mix. Take a mixing bowl, and add the all the ingredients listed above - almond flour, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, apricots and organic almond butter. Mix properly to prepare a smooth dough. Take scoops with a teaspoon and place them over a parchment paper. Bake at 350° F for 8 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, before serving.

Mix 1 cup each of brown sugar and almond butter with one egg to make a paste. Using a teaspoon, place small balls directly over a parchment lined cooking sheet. Press slightly with a floured fork, and bake at 350° F for about 8 minutes. When cookies are done, leave for 5 minutes in a cookie rack for cooling. These baked goodies, free of gluten protein, are excellent for supplying instant energy. While preparing this recipe for diabetic patients, reduce brown sugar or totally avoid it.

If you have a hectic schedule, take time out on a holiday and make these cookies in large amounts. That way, you can store crispy cookies in airtight containers for anytime snacking. For those interested in making low-calorie almond butter cookies, low carb baking mix can be used for making dough in substitution to all-purpose flour. Overall, you can have a control over the quantities of flour, sugar, butter and calorie yielding ingredients to suit your health goals.