Festive Holiday Almond Tassies Recipe: Jolly Little Treats

When baking delectable holiday almond tassies recipe, you’ll fall in love with these bite-sized delights that melt in your mouth.

Tiny pastry shells cradle a rich, nutty filling that whispers of festive cheer.

The delicate crust crumbles perfectly, releasing an irresistible almond essence with each bite.

Butter-soft and elegant, these miniature treats bring warmth to any gathering.

Compact yet bursting with flavor, they sparkle like edible jewels on your dessert table.

Every baker knows these little gems are more than just cookies—they’re a celebration of sweet memories.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this delightful recipe.

How to Make Mini Almond-Filled Tassies

• Creamy Dough Base

Blend softened butter and cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually incorporate flour, creating a tender pastry mixture. Roll the dough into small, delicate spheres.

• Muffin Cup Shaping

Gently press each dough ball into greased miniature muffin tins, forming delicate little cups with your fingertips.

• Luxurious Filling

Whisk together almond paste, sweet sugar, eggs, zesty orange juice, rich cream, and a touch of flour. The mixture should be smooth and fragrant.

• Filling and Topping

Carefully spoon the almond mixture into the prepared pastry cups, leaving a small space at the top. Sprinkle a handful of sliced almonds over each tassie for a delightful crunch.

• Baking Magic

Place the muffin tin in a preheated oven at 400°F. Bake until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown, typically 12-13 minutes.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the tassies to rest in the tin for 10 minutes. Gently transfer to a wire rack, letting them cool completely. These bite-sized treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet afternoon indulgence.

Additions for Holiday Almond Tassies

• Swap traditional almonds for toasted pecans or walnuts to add a deeper, richer crunch to these delicate holiday treats.
• Prepare the dough and filling up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to save time during busy holiday cooking.
• Use a small cookie scoop to create uniform-sized balls for consistent baking and a professional bakery look.
• Drizzle melted white chocolate or dust with powdered sugar after cooling for an extra festive and elegant finishing touch.
• Replace butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives to create a version suitable for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the same delightful flavor profile.

Serving Ideas for Holiday Almond Tassies

• Pair with Festive Beverage: Serve these delicate almond tassies alongside a warm mug of spiced mulled wine or rich hot chocolate to enhance the holiday flavor profile.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange the tassies on a beautiful holiday serving tray, dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh orange zest to create a visually stunning presentation.
• Complement with Seasonal Fruits: Add a small side of fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds to provide a tart contrast to the sweet, nutty almond filling and create a balanced dessert experience.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Package these mini treats in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons for a homemade holiday gift that will delight friends and family with their intricate design and delicious taste.

Freezing or Chilling Almond Tassies Made Simple

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store these delicate Holiday Almond Tassies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual tassies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to maintain freshness for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Keep Crisp and Fresh: Before serving, let refrigerated tassies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to restore their delightful crumbly texture and bring out the rich almond flavor.
• Portion and Protect: Use small cake boxes or compartmentalized containers to keep each tassie intact during storage, preventing crumbling and preserving their elegant shape.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Calories: 215 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients in Holiday Almond Tassies

• Butter: Provides rich, tender texture and adds luxurious flavor to the delicate crust.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a silky smooth dough with tangy undertones and exceptional softness.
• Flour: Gives structural integrity and helps bind the pastry ingredients together.

• Almond Paste: Delivers intense nutty sweetness and creamy consistency to the tassie center.
• Sugar: Balances flavors and brings natural sweetness to the filling.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent and contributes to the smooth, custard-like texture.
• Orange Juice: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that complement the almond's richness.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances richness and creates a luscious, velvety filling.
• Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the filling mixture.

• Almonds: Adds delightful crunch, nutty flavor, and elegant visual appeal to the holiday treat.

Tools for Tassie Dough and Filling Assembly

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing dough.
• Miniature muffin tin: Creates perfect bite-sized tart shells.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and cheese smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows tassies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping and spreading filling.
• Flour shaker or small sieve: For dusting fingers when shaping dough.

Festive Almond Tassies Recipe

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• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Festive holiday almond tassies bring delightful nutty sweetness to seasonal gatherings. Miniature pastry shells filled with rich almond cream promise irresistible flavor for guests and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cans (8 oz or 226 g) almond paste
• 3 large eggs (room temperature, lightly beaten)
• 1.5 cups (300 g) sugar
• 1 cup (227 g or 8 oz) butter (softened)
• 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsps orange juice
• 3 tbsps heavy whipping cream
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sliced almonds

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Whip softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until creamy, then fold in flour to create a uniform, pliable dough.
2. Shaping Process: Roll dough into compact 1-inch spheres and press into greased miniature muffin tin, carefully molding to cover bottom and sides of each cup with a thin, even layer.
3. Filling Creation: Whisk almond paste, sugar, eggs, orange juice, heavy cream, and flour in a separate bowl until achieving a silky, smooth consistency with no lumps.
4. Assembly: Distribute almond filling into prepared dough cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full, then generously garnish the surface with sliced almonds.
5. Baking Technique: Position oven rack in center and preheat to 400°F (204°C). Bake tassies for 12-13 minutes until edges transform into a delicate golden-brown hue.
6. Cooling Method: Allow tassies to rest in the muffin tin for 10 minutes to stabilize structure, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks, permitting complete cooling before serving.

Notes

• Softening Butter and Cream Cheese: Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smooth, easy blending and optimal dough consistency.
• Flour Dusting Technique: Keep fingertips lightly floured to prevent sticky dough from clinging and maintain clean, even shaping.
• Filling Smoothness Tip: Whisk almond mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a silky, uniform texture for perfect filling.
• Cooling Strategy: Allow tassies to rest in the pan briefly before transferring to prevent cracking and maintain delicate structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 57 mg