These almond croissant cookies are a dream come true for almond lovers! This delightful handheld treat features a buttery, chewy cookie filled with creamy frangipane and topped with almond flakes. Whether you pair them with your morning coffee or enjoy them alongside a scoop of ice cream, they're the perfect treat to satisfy your cravings at any time.

Best Almond Croissant Cookies Recipe

You will not want to skip this recipe! This rave-worthy dessert combines the classic flavors of traditional almond croissants with a luscious frangipane filling, all wrapped into a delightfully chewy cookie. Between the perfectly balanced ingredients and foolproof baking technique, I can confidently say it is one of the best almond croissant cookie recipes ever.

In addition to the easy-to-follow steps, I provide detailed expert tips and tricks so that you can get the best results the first time. It is super simple to follow, even for beginning bakers! And there's no need to look for fancy ingredients or equipment—everything you can find at home or in your local grocery store.

I also provide different ways to make this recipe depending on your taste. You can make it as written for a perfect balance of vanilla and almond flavor or kick the almond flavor up a notch with almond extract. You will also find several flavor variations to customize your cookies even more! No matter which method you choose, one thing is for sure: you will fall in love with these cookies!

Katalin's Take On How To Make the Best Cookies

The secret to baking flavorful almond croissant cookies with a crunchy exterior and soft, chewy interior lies in using the right ingredients, following precise techniques, and avoiding common mistakes, such as overbaking.

I always suggest selecting high-quality, high-fat ingredients when baking cookies, giving them the most decadent flavor. It is also important to never skip any ingredients, as every component contributes to the texture, structure, and overall deliciousness.

Proper technique is just as important; I always stress this in my recipes. While some recipes recommend first blending the almonds and sugar and then incorporating the butter to make the frangipane, I stick to the more traditional method of creaming the butter and sugar first, creating a lighter, fluffier almond cream.

Chilling the dough before baking is also a must to ensure your cookies hold their shape. And finally, there's the timing. You want to avoid overbaking the cookies, as it gives them a less-than-pleasant texture. On the contrary, you should remove them from the oven just before they set, as the residual heat will finish the baking process.

With attention to detail and a commitment to the above tried-and-true methods, you'll end up with irresistibly tender, tasty, and perfectly baked cookies every time!

Make The Frangipane

Before starting the frangipane, ensure the eggs and butter are at room temperature to emulsify correctly. Place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes to quickly bring them to room temperature. Refer to my guide on softening butter quickly without using a microwave.

Using an electric hand mixer, cream the granulated sugar and softened butter for approximately three minutes until it becomes fluffy. It is important to use unsalted butter only (or make your butter at home) to fully control the amount of salt in the recipe. Salted butter may make the cream too salty.

In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg, then slowly incorporate it into the sugar and butter mixture while the mixer is on. Next, use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the almond flour and salt just until well combined.

Scoop the frangipane into 12 equal portions using an ice cream or cookie scoop. Then, place it in the refrigerator to allow the butter to firm up.

Prepare the Cookie Dough

Like the frangipane almond filling, the cookie dough will require room-temperature butter and eggs before you start.

Once again, use your electric mixer to cream your softened butter with the sugar for a few minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.

Next, mix in your room temperature eggs (one whole egg plus one egg yolk) and vanilla extract just until combined. Optionally, you can use almond extract or almond paste for a strong almond flavor. Or, combine the two for a nice balance of both flavors!

Sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use your rubber spatula to gently fold them together until just combined. As mentioned, do not overmix, or the dough will develop too much gluten, leaving you with dry, cakey cookies.

Assemble The Almond Croissant Cookies & Bake Them

Line 2-3 baking pans with parchment paper. Using your cookie or ice cream scoop, evenly divide the cookie dough batter into 12 balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave enough space between each cookie dough ball to give them room to spread.

Remove the frangipane balls from the fridge and press one on each cookie dough ball. Then, sprinkle each cookie with almond flakes or sliced almonds.

Place the baking sheet with the prepared cookie dough balls into the fridge to chill for an hour. Do not skip or try to shorten this step, as it is essential for preventing flat cookies.

Towards the end of the chilling time, preheat the oven to 175 C / 350 °F (do not use the oven fan). Once the cookie dough has chilled for at least an hour, place the sheet in the oven to bake for approximately 18 minutes.

Once thoroughly baked, carefully transfer the cookies from the parchment paper to a cooling rack. They will continue to set as they cool.

Storing & Freezing

These almond croissant cookies have the best taste and texture when served fresh the same day you make them. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

To freeze, allow the cookies to cool completely to room temperature, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature.

Flavor Variations

Variations for the Frangipane:

Swap out the almonds for other nuts like pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts (or a combination of each).

You can also enhance the flavor of the almond by incorporating warm spices like cinnamon or cardamom. Instant coffee powder is also a delicious addition, giving a mocha flavor that pairs wonderfully with the buttery cookies.

Chocolate lovers can add a bit of cocoa powder. Or, add lemon or orange extract to give it a citrusy flavor.

Add a splash of rum, almond, or coffee liqueur to your cream for a boozy, adults-only treat.

Variations for the Cookie:

Like the almond cream, you can add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cocoa powder to kick the flavor up a notch or incorporate freshly grated lemon or orange zest into the dough for a citrusy flavor.

Dust your cookies with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch!

Ingredient Substitutions

To make gluten-free cookies, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative, such as almond flour. My flour guide provides various options and their best uses in baking.

If you need egg-free or dairy-free cookies, opt for dairy-free butter and use an egg substitute. Remember that the texture and flavor may differ slightly from cookies made with traditional ingredients.

Expert Tips For Making Almond Croissant Cookies

Use high-fat butter and the highest-quality, pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste) for the best flavor and texture. I use 82% fat European butter in this recipe.
Don't skip the salt! It is essential to balance the flavors and sweetness of the cookies.
Although using almond extract in the frangipane intensifies the almond flavor, too much can overpower and diminish the natural flavor. If you add any additional flavors, it is best to keep them to a minimum for the best balance of flavors.
Consider slightly underbaking your cookies if you prefer a fudgy, gooey texture.
If the cookies spread too much during baking, use a large cookie cutter when they come out of the oven to apply circular movements and tighten the shape back into a perfectly round shape.

What Equipment To Use

A digital scale is essential for precise and consistent ingredient measurements, while a digital oven thermometer ensures your oven maintains the correct baking temperature.

An electric hand mixer (or hand whisk) is ideal for blending the wet ingredients, but when it's time to mix in the dry ingredients, switch to a rubber spatula to prevent overmixing the batter.

A wire cooling rack helps your cookies cool evenly without the risk of the bottoms becoming soggy.

If you loved this almond croissant cookie recipe, you'll also love these other cookie recipes:

And for even more delicious cookie ideas perfect for any occasion, check out my roundup with 60+ Different Types of Cookies!

Have You Tried This Recipe?

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Almond Croissant Cookies