Almond Butter Sticks are a melt-in-your-mouth delicious, tender cookie made with a cream cheese dough and an almond extract sugar filling. I’ve only made these a few times but on those rare occasions I often wonder why these aren’t on our dessert tray each Christmas. It may not be the first cookie the kids grab but that’s because they don’t know any better – and we should keep it that way.
The tender cream cheese dough is a dream to work with. Roll into a 12″ x 12″ square, spread with softened butter and cut it in half.
Mix granulated sugar with almond extract then spread on half the buttered dough.
Seal the two pieces together and brush with a lightly beaten egg white. Sprinkle with sliced almonds and a teaspoon of coarse sugar.
Cool before cutting into bars and store in an airtight container.
That is “if” you have any left. The recipe makes about 24-28 cookies you won’t have to worry about storing them for long.
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- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, plus 1 tablespoon (divided)
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg, separated (white is reserved for glazing)
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon coarse sugar for topping
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small bowl combine the sugar and almond extract; cover and set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder.
- In a large mixing bowl combine 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter and cream cheese. Beat on low until blended. Add the egg yolk and blend until smooth. Add half the flour mixture and beat on low until combined. Add the remaining dough and blend just until the dough starts to come together.
- Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Knead by hand about 25 strokes until the dough is pliable. Roll or press into a 12x12 inch square. Spread with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Cut the dough in half and place one half on the prepared cookie sheet, butter side up.
- Spoon the sugar mixture to within ½-inch of the dough edges all the way around. Place the remaining dough half, butter side down, over the sugar. Press the edges tightly to seal.
- Brush the dough with a lightly beaten egg white. Sprinkle with almonds and coarse sugar.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. It's best removed from the oven when you think it needs one or two more minutes.
- Cool at least 30 minutes.
- Cut the pastry in half lengthwise and then into ½ to 1 inch strips crosswise.
- Store in an airtight container.
I absolutely love these Scandinavian Almond Bars from The View from Great Island. I’ve had them and they really are fantastic. If you love almond extract and almond flavoring as much as I do, I bet you’ll love these gluten-free Italian Almond Cookies from Barefeet in the Kitchen. I’m also drooling over these pretty Chocolate Dipped Almond Cookies from Foodiecrush. And don’t miss my most popular cookie recipe ever, for Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints. All wonderful holiday cookies!
I mentioned last week that our son and daughter-in-law are expecting a new baby girl in April. Our daughter Allie (Isaac’s mom) also found out this week that she is going to have a girl in June. Issac will have a new cousin and a sister in 2016! We’ll have to make room for more stockings next year 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a lovely week and happy baking.
Tricia
These are deserving of “high tea” and I sure tasted them the entire time I was reading the recipe. Because I’m Swedish, there’s coffee with an egg thrown in along with your almond cookie that warms my heart. My mom used a similar dough rolled out with almond paste and kept it in a whole piece (like a coffee cake.) I can’t wait to try these! Thank you.
Thanks Marcia – I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you. I love these little bites of heaven 🙂
Hi,
Is there anything that can be substituted for egg yolk?
Hi Maggie – I Have not tried anything else so I’m not able to say what might work. Maybe an egg substitute?
These look fabulous. Does anyone know if the cookies freeze well? I think they would be okay to freeze, but I’ve never tried freezing cookies with almond paste before. I like to bake a little bit ahead for my holiday cookie trays since I don’t have time to bake everything at once!
Hi Sarah – I am not sure if they freeze but I think they would be fine. Let me know if you try it and how it turns out so I can share with our readers. Thanks so much! Great question 🙂
Years ago, I went to a church function and there was a dessert buffet table. I grabbed a cookie that looked just like these. It was love at first sight. I’m a marzipan addict, and I kept filching more of those cookies. I wish I could have found the baker who brought them, because I would’ve begged for the recipe. I think I found it! It’s past Christmas, but that won’t stop me. Thank you!
Thank you so much! We love, love, love these cookies – and I love your blog!
I am new to your blog! It is lovely! I have enjoyed taking a tour; reading your stories and seeing your lovely photographs, recipes. Thank you for sharing. While I was going to NOT bake in the new year, I see that I must make an exception!!
So happy you stopped in for a visit Kate! Can’t wait to explore your blog too 🙂 If you are going to bake, this would be a great recipe to try – so very tasty! Happy New Year!
Hi Tricia,
I came back to tell you that these cookies are amazingly delicious and mind blowing! I made them and posted the recipe on my blog, of course I linked back to your post. I loved these cookies so much I wanted my readers to experience the same.
Thank you for posting and sharing this recipe 🙂
Thank you so much Muna – I am thrilled you liked them – we love them too and can’t get enough of that almond flavor. Thanks again and please come back any time!
I just read that you are expecting another granddaughter! What great news! There is cause for lots of celebrating the new year for us both 🙂 Yours in pink and mine in blue!
Oh my, these look good and I thought I was done baking too 🙂 I think I may have everything I need! Merry Christmas, Tricia, to you and your family.
Just had to tell you I made these yesterday. SO GOOD!!! Thanks for the recipe, Tricia.
Yeah!!! Wooohoo! I love them and they are just not your typical cookie. That little crunch of almond flavored sugar is awesome!
It’s my first time on your blog and I love it! Another beautiful blogger made your recipe and I wanted to come and see what else I was missing 🙂
Wonderful recipe and the outcome looks elegant. Will try it soon.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for stopping by Muna! I bet you will love these cookies – they are wonderful 🙂
I’ve had these! Or at least something really, really similar. Never made them though — never even thought to look for a recipe! So I’m glad you figured out the recipe and saved me the work. 🙂 These look excellent — good job! Thanks so much.
Thank you John! They are tasty and really easy to make. I just adore the cream cheese dough 🙂
So happy to read your news, Tricia, congratulations to your growing family. I see a lot of delicious cookies in their future 🙂
Amalia
xo
Thanks Amalia – have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Tricia, Congrats two baby girls, you are so lucky. Love these almond butter sticks, they look amazing!
Thank you Cheri! These cookies are terrific 🙂
Great recipe! Can this dough be freezed (pre-bake) and be baked a week later??
I have not tested freezing the dough Jo – but if I was going to try, I think I would mix the dough, form it into a small square, wrap it tightly and freeze. Once thawed you can then roll it out and continue with the recipe. It really comes together quickly so it’s not time consuming to make. If you make the entire recipe then freeze before baking that might work too – I just can’t say since I have not tried that. Good luck! Either way I think you will love these – they are so good 🙂
Lovely results! Tastefull and a total success!!
I froze the dough then rolled it and spread the filling the day I was finally baking it.
Amazing!!!!!
Yeah!!!! Thanks so much for letting me know Jo. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Happy New Year!
Oh my yumminess! These almond butter sticks look so adorable and delicious! I am going to save your recipe and make it this weekend. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Zaza! Enjoy 🙂
They look amazing! How far advanced can I prepare them (pre-bake)
Can I freeze the dough for a week and then bake them?
Thanks!
I have not tested freezing these Jo – I would be very interested to hear how it turns out for you. The dough is tender so take care when wrapping before freezing!
They look literally melt-in-mouth and delicious, Tricia. I love the cream cheese dough, which will be fantastic as the base of a cheesecake too.
Thanks Angie – and that is a great idea!
Now you make me want to bake again..and I am done:)
I am making your duchess potatoes for Christmas eve dinner:) Thank you.
I love your tree..I see memories iinstead of a theme.
Lots and lots of memories Monique. I am so jealous – wish I was done baking too! Hope you love the duchess potatoes – they were even great left over 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
I’ve never seen anything like this before but they sounds and look amazing Tricia, what a wonderful combination of ingredients! Your house looks so… pretty and such great news to need more stockings next year!!
Thanks Chris – they are a special and elegant cookie – and so easy to make. Yummy!
OH MY TRICIA! I can ONLY IMAGINE these MELT IN YOUR MOUTH!!!!! ;P They LOOK SCRUMPTIOUS!!!! An “Adult Christmas Cookie!” 😉 Yep, I’d keep it to myself!!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your big news too!!!! Your tree looks BEAUTIFUL!!!! 😉 AND THANK YOU for being so faithful in coming over to visit too!!!! (((HUGS!))) 😉
Thank you so much Becky – you are so sweet 🙂 Hugs to you too!
I love these cookies!! The cream cheese dough is so good. I’ve never had a cookie like this but I won’t be able to say that very long!
Oh I hope you make them Maureen – you won’t be sorry. So delicious!
Congratulations on your new grandbaby girls to come. All grandchildren are a blessing, but let’s face it – there are way more cute clothes for grandmas to have fun buying for little girls 😉 Love, love these! Almond is such a great flavour and even better with butter and sugar!
My daughter already had me at the mall looking at little girl things – we are already in trouble 🙂 Blessings all around!
I am so happy for you, Tricia! Those babies are going to be so very loved!! My weakness for almond desserts is in overdrive today, because it’s all I can do not to go try these cars this morning. Pure heaven!
Thanks so much Mary – you are a sweet wonderful friend – hope to meet you one day! And your adorable children.
I am liking these! I make a simple almond sugar cake that is similar, but it isn’t these. Can’t wait to try them. And that tree? And those stockings? And adding two more? You are blessed Tricia!
I think you would like them Abbe – so easy to make and they taste kind of elegant 🙂 Not something you see everyday. We are very blessed Abbe – Happy Hanukkah to you and yours!
What wonderful news to have two new granddaughters . That is the best gift ever. Your almond buttersticks look absolutely fantastic.
Thanks Gerlinde! These are very good cookies – hope you will give them a try.
Congratulations on another piece of exciting news! You must be thrilled to welcome two new grandchildren next year.
And your almond butter sticks sound lovely.
We are truly blessed Beth – such wonderful news at a wonderful time. Blessings to you and your family!~
Wow do these sound good, my mouth literally started to water as I was reading the post, no joke 🙂 I am so excited for you —- 2 new grand daughters!! I can’t wait to follow along with the progress, congratulations Tricia <3
These are wonderful cookies Sue – thanks for the sweet comment!
Your almond butter sticks look absolutely divine. Love, love it.
Velva
Thank you Velva – hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
I loved what you said about these cookies and kids! haha! I totally get it. These cookies look and sound amazing! It’s the kind of “secret” recipe I think of when I think of special treats at the holidays in general that we don’t see often. I’ve never had these but I love the filling and all the almond goodness. So good with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!
I always think of you Monica when I’m baking with almond extract – just love this stuff!!!