These Almond Butter Cookies are the tastiest I’ve tried and make a great addition to your regular cookie baking. This almond butter cookie recipe the perfect alternative if you have a peanut allergy!
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Creating this Almond Butter Cookie Recipe
One of the first cookie recipes I ever shared here on Good Life Eats was this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies.
At the time, my son Logan was only about 4 years old. He’s 14 now and getting ready to start his freshman year of high school this fall!
When Logan was just over a year old we learned that he had a really severe peanut allergy. For years and years we didn’t keep any peanuts or anything processed/potentially contaminated with peanuts in the house.
I didn’t even eat peanuts myself because I was worried it get on my hands, or what if he got ahold of my tooth brush, or any number of things that never happened but that a first time mom worries about.
I REALLY missed peanut butter cookies. Yes, there were other nut butter options on the market. But, pretty much all of them were labeled as “may contain peanuts” and our allergist said those were a big NO for Logan.
One day I stumbled across Barney Butter and I saw that their label stated their Almond Butter was Peanut Free. I had also seen that Blue Diamond Almonds were also labeled as peanut Free.
Most other nuts “may contain” or are “processed on shared equipment,” so I was pretty excited!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies to Pinterest!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies to Pinterest!
We Love this Recipe for Almond Butter Cookies!
These Almond Butter Cookies have been Good Life Eats family approved!
Ever since I discovered Barney Butter and Blue Diamond Almonds, I’ve been making this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies.
I have to say, I think I actually like them better than peanut butter cookies! They have all that classic taste without the allergen. Almond Butter Cookies are delicious.
We recently made them again, so I snapped a few new photos and thought I’d give it a re-share since It’s been more than 10 years since I first shared the recipe!
★★★★★
Amanda says –
“I’ve made these many times as the recipe is written and they are perfection every time.”
Why these Almond Butter Cookies are the Best!
I love that this recipe uses a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar because it adds to the flavor and chewiness.
For the almond taste, you’ll use both almond butter AND ground up almonds. The ground almonds really give the cookies a flavor boost!
Make sure you look for an almond butter that doesn’t need to be stirred before measuring. My FAVORITE Almond Butter for cookie making is Barney Butter.
★★★★★
Teresa says –
“I have used natural almond butter and it turns out great! My kids love these cookies!”
Almond Butter Cookie Ingredients
This recipe has plenty of the usual suspects. Here’s what you’ll need:
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- butter
- sugar (granulated and brown)
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- PLUS – almond butter AND ground almonds
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make these simple almond butter cookies, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
Can I use Peanut Butter in these Cookies?
Yes! Definitely feel free to substitute peanut butter and peanuts in these cookies for their almond counterparts.
The recipe will turn out just as great – I originally adapted it from a peanut butter cookie recipe.
We just prefer almonds, and the specific brands I’ve linked, because they are 100% peanut-free and peanut allergy friendly!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies to Pinterest!
Crunchy Almond Butter Cookies
Do you want these cookies to be extra crunchy? Feel free to substitute crunchy almond butter, or to leave a portion of the ground almonds a little coarser for that extra crunch!
How to Make This Almond Butter Cookie Recipe
The method to this cookie recipe is pretty traditional.
First, you’ll combine the flour with the baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Using a stand or hand mixer, you’ll beat the butter until creamy. Then add the sugars, continuing to beat, and then add the almond butter, eggs, and vanilla.
After those ingredients are all mixed well, you’ll slowly add the flour mixture. Make sure you don’t beat it, just stir in until mixed well.
The above is simply a quick summary of this easy cookie recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Why Do You Make Fork Marks on Almond Butter Cookies?
Almond butter cookie dough is pretty dense thanks to the almond butter and ground almonds. The denser dough has a harder time baking through and spreading while baking.
Making the classic criss-cross pattern on the cookie flattens the dough and allows for a more even baking. Plus, you get nice crispy edges where the fork pattern was made.
How to Make Fork Marks in Almond Butter Cookies
Using the tines of a fork on top of the rolled cookie dough, press down to form a slight depression in the cookie dough.
You’ll be left with a row of imprinted lines that were formed when you pressed the fork into the dough. Rotate the fork 90 degrees and press again to form a hashmark like pattern.
You don’t have to use a fork! You can use a glass with an interesting pattern on the bottom or a Cookie Stamp.
Really, anything that will slightly flatten the cookie dough and make an interesting pattern on top!
Almond Butter Substitute – What Can You Substitute for Almond Butter in a Recipe
It depends! Are you allergic to almonds, all nuts, or peanuts? Or do you just not have almond butter on hand?
Feel free to substitute other nuts and nut butters. If a peanut allergy isn’t a concern, then Peanut Butter and peanuts would have the best results.
If all nuts are a problem, I recommend trying Sunflower Seed Butter, but I haven’t tested it myself.
I do not recommend nut spreads, such as Nutella or other Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads in this recipe because they have a much higher sugar content and aren’t as nut concentrated, so the recipe would not turn out the same.
Click HERE to save this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies to Pinterest!
Can You Freeze Almond Butter Cookies?
Make sure you check out my How to Freeze Cookie Dough tutorial for instructions on freezing these tasty Almond Butter Cookies.
This Almond Butter Cookie dough freezes extremely well and is the perfect sweet treat for stashing in the freezer.
You can also freeze already baked cookies if you want to pre-bake a big batch. Follow these steps:
- Cool the cookies COMPLETELY! This is super important.
- Transfer the completely cooled cookies to a freezer storage bag with a zip top.
- Label with contents and date.
- Layer the cookies flat in the bag.
- Remove as much air as you can without crushing the cookies. I like to zip the bag almost all the way, insert a straw, and suck out the extra air.
- Freeze! To thaw, we like to pop the cookies in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on a napkin.
Click HERE to save this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies to Pinterest!
Try these Almond Butter Cookies!
Next time you’re looking something to bake with creamy almond butter, give this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies a try!
Did you love that they’re safe for those with peanut allergies? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this easy recipe.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me @goodlifeeats #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of almond butter cookies!
★★★★★
Pearl says –
“I’ve put a bookmark on this recipe! I’ve made them a few times, and they are gone in just a couple of days! My husband and sons really like them. They are so good. Thank you.”
More Almond Butter Recipes
Looking for more recipe that use almond butter? Here are a few favorite recipes!
This Chocolate Banana Almond Milk Smoothie doubles as a filling breakfast and sweet afternoon pick-me-up. It’s so easy to make and incredibly creamy!
Chocolate goes great with Almond Butter! Try these Chocolate Cupcakes with Triple Cream Cheese Frosting. Three types of cream cheese frosting are swirled together – vanilla cream cheese, Nutella cream cheese, and almond butter cream cheese frostings. So decadent!
I like to make this recipe for New Orleans Peanut Butter Pie – a recipe my dad found on a business trip to New Orleans when we were kids – using Almond Butter for a Peanut Free Peanut Butter Pie. I omit the peanuts for the garnish.
When you spread this delicious Fruity Mango Almond Butter on an English muffin or slice of toast, it’s almost like a simplified PB&J, but the more sophisticated incarnation of the favorite childhood snack.
These Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Almond Dipping Sauce make a great summertime appetizer! The sauce is great – savory, sweet, and spicy!
Years ago I adapted this Almond Butter Cookie into a new recipe – Oatmeal Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies. So good!
These Gluten-Free Brownie Trifles have an utterly delicious homemade Peanut Butter Mousse layer as well as dark chocolate sauce and homemade whipped cream. You can definitely substitute almond butter for the peanut butter in these!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Almond Butter Cookies to Pinterest!
More Cookie Recipes
Looking for more tasty cookie recipes to go along with these Almond Butter Cookies? If you’re looking for other recipe ideas, be sure to browse the entire Recipe Index, or check out the Ingredient Index if you have a specific ingredient you are searching for a way to use!
White Chocolate Lemon Coconut Cookiesare a fun twist on the usual chocolate chip cookies and perfect for bright, sunny spring and summer days.
White Chocolate Pistachio Cookiesare great for anyone who loves pistachios (pick me please!).
Toasted Coconut “Sugar” Cookies are gluten-free, but just as tasty!
Our kids (and plenty of family and friends) would straight up boycott if I ever stopped making these NY Times Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are hands down, our favorite cookies to make and keep stashed in the freezer!
Classic chocolate chip cookies get a make over. TheseWhite Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies feature cream cheese in the batter, bits of raspberry jammy goodness, and melty chunks of white chocolate.
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Almond Butter Cookies
Yield: 36 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
These Almond Butter Cookies are the tastiest I've tried and make a great addition to your regular cooking baking.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 c flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 16 Tbs (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
- 1 c brown sugar
- 1 c granulated sugar
- 1 c almond butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 c almonds, ground to resemble coarse breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Add sugars beating until fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
- Scrap the bowl as necessary.
- Beat in almond butter until incorporated.
- Beat in vanilla and then eggs, one at a time.
- Gently stir in the dry ingredients (I switched to the paddle on my kitchen aid mixer).
- Add ground almonds and stir until just incorporated.
- Roll cookies into 2 Tbs sized balls.
- Place on baking sheets and press each ball twice with a fork to make a crisscross design.
- Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.
- Edges should be slightly browned and the cookies puffed.
- Cool on sheets for 4 minutes before transferring to a cookie cooling rack.
Notes
adapted from Cook's Illustrated
If peanut allergy is a concern: Look for an almond butter labeled "Peanut Free," i.e. Barney Butter. For the ground almonds, I recommend Blue Diamond Brand as a peanut-free option.
Can You Freeze Almond Butter Cookies?
Make sure you check out my How to Freeze Cookie Dough tutorial for instructions on freezing these tasty Almond Butter Cookies.
This Almond Butter Cookie dough freezes extremely well and is the perfect sweet treat for stashing in the freezer.
You can also freeze already baked cookies if you want to pre-bake a big batch. Follow these steps:
- Cool the cookies COMPLETELY! This is super important.
- Transfer the completely cooled cookies to a freezer storage bag with a zip top.
- Label with contents and date.
- Layer the cookies flat in the bag.
- Remove as much air as you can without crushing the cookies. I like to zip the bag almost all the way, insert a straw, and suck out the extra air.
- Freeze! To thaw, we like to pop the cookies in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on a napkin.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 191Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 4g
