Almond Meltaway Cookies are pure bliss for anyone who loves almond desserts—a sweet treat that lives up to its name by practically vanishing on your tongue. The soft, tender crumb combined with a sweet, delicate almond glaze is the perfect way to brighten up any cookie tray or afternoon coffee break. These cookies are easy to make with basic pantry staples, yet they’re just the right amount of special for both holidays and everyday snacking. Once you try these, they’re sure to become a favorite in any cookie rotation!

Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something magical about a recipe that comes together with just a handful of familiar ingredients. Each component in Almond Meltaway Cookies brings a unique charm, from the rich butter to the sparkling almond aroma. Gather these essentials and get ready to turn your kitchen into a bakery!
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing structure and a soft, melting crumb.
- Baking Powder: Just enough leavening to give the cookies a subtle lift and delicate texture.
- Salt: Enhances the almond flavor and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Gives the cookies richness and that irresistible tender bite.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve those perfectly thin, crispy edges.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together and contributes to that soft interior.
- Almond Extract: The star of the show—this brings out all the cozy, aromatic almond vibes in both the dough and the glaze.
- Powdered Sugar: The key to a dreamy, velvety glaze that melts right into the cookie surface.
- Milk: Thins out the glaze for easy spreading or dripping over each baked cookie.
- Sliced Almonds (optional): A lovely garnish for crunch and extra nutty flavor—totally optional but highly recommended!
How to Make Almond Meltaway Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, so you can focus on the fun part—baking!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening and salt will be evenly dispersed throughout the dough, giving every bite of your Almond Meltaway Cookies perfect lift and balanced flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is what gives your cookies that cloud-like texture. Take a minute or two here—it’s well worth it for that signature meltaway quality.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Almond Extract
Beat in the egg and almond extract until fully incorporated. You’ll notice the mixture becomes beautifully creamy and fragrant at this stage. That distinctive almond aroma is already taking center stage!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix; you want a tender crumb, not tough cookies. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Step 6: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Use a tablespoon or small scoop to portion out your dough, rolling each into a ball. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, giving some space between each. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass for uniform rounds (plus, it helps the glaze pool delightfully on top later).
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set but the tops remain pale. The secret to Almond Meltaway Cookies is not to let them get golden brown—they should stay soft! Cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
Step 8: Glaze and Garnish
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract for a velvety glaze. Spoon or spread a little onto each cooled cookie, then top with sliced almonds if you like. Allow the glaze to set before serving—this makes them as pretty as they are delicious.
How to Serve Almond Meltaway Cookies

Garnishes
For a dazzling finish, a scatter of sliced almonds is a simple and elegant touch. You can also add a sprinkle of sparkling sugar for extra shimmer, or even a dusting of powdered sugar if you’re feeling festive. Each option adds a bit of crunch and a touch of sophistication to your Almond Meltaway Cookies.
Side Dishes
These cookies are absolute perfection with a strong cup of coffee or a delicate pot of tea. For a playful twist, serve them alongside a bowl of fresh mixed berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a simple yet stunning dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Box them up as homemade gifts, stack them high on a tiered dessert tray for baby showers or brunches, or serve on a vintage plate for cozy, old-fashioned tea time. For parties, turn Almond Meltaway Cookies into mini ice cream sandwiches—just add a spoonful of softly frozen vanilla between two cookies for a heavenly bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies irresistibly fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to five days—assuming they last that long before being devoured!
Freezing
If you’d like to bake ahead, Almond Meltaway Cookies freeze beautifully. Just pop your cooled, unglazed cookies in layers between wax paper in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to serve, thaw and glaze for that just-baked taste and texture.
Reheating
While these cookies are delectable at room temperature, you can restore a just-baked feel by microwaving a cookie for five to ten seconds. For that warm, fresh flavor, especially if your kitchen is chilly, nothing beats a little heat!
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter if that’s all you have on hand, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to avoid overly salty cookies. The result will still be delicious!
Can Almond Meltaway Cookies be made gluten free?
Absolutely! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten free. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
How do I get the glaze to set quickly?
To speed up the process, place glazed cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps the glaze firm up quicker so you can serve or pack them right away.
What’s the best way to keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container and try adding a slice of bread to the container—the cookies will absorb the bread’s moisture and stay soft for several days.
Can I add other flavors to the cookies?
Definitely! While almond is the classic flavor here, you can add a drop of vanilla extract to the dough or experiment with citrus zest in the glaze for a fun twist. Just don’t leave out the almond, as it’s the heart of these treats.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that’s both cozy and impressive, you simply can’t go wrong with these Almond Meltaway Cookies. There’s something wonderful about watching friends and family take their first bite and light up at the tender texture and almond aroma. Bake a batch soon—trust me, these will steal the show at any gathering!
Print
Almond Meltaway Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft and almond-flavored, these Almond Meltaway Cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion. They are easy to make and even easier to enjoy with their sweet glaze and crunchy almond topping.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (for glaze)
- Sliced almonds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and almond extract until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions, roll into balls, and flatten gently with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set and tops are pale.
- Glaze Cookies: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract for glaze. Spread over cooled cookies and garnish with almonds.
- Cool and Serve: Let cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra almond flavor, add a few drops of almond extract to the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg