Quick & Cheerful Holiday Almond Tassies Recipe for Sweet Joy

Almond tassies bring festive cheer with their delicate, bite-sized charm and rich, nutty essence.

These miniature delights capture the warmth of family gatherings and seasonal celebrations.

Small pastry shells cradle a decadent filling that melts in your mouth, creating an irresistible texture.

Delicate yet indulgent, these treats balance sweetness with a subtle almond complexity that dances across your palate.

Crisp pastry edges contrast beautifully with the soft, creamy interior, making each bite a delightful surprise.

Perfectly sized for sharing or enjoying solo, these tassies revolutionize ordinary moments into something magical.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that embodies holiday joy and culinary craftsmanship.

Holiday Almond Tassies That Steal the Show

• Bite-Sized Holiday Indulgence: These mini almond tassies pack a delightful punch of festive flavor in one perfect, compact treat that's ideal for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.
• Luxurious Texture Combination: Creamy almond filling nestled in a delicate, tender cream cheese pastry creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience with a delightful crunch from sprinkled almonds.
• Quick and Easy Elegance: Prepare these sophisticated mini desserts in under 30 minutes, making them a stress-free option for busy holiday baking that looks and tastes incredibly impressive.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: The orange juice and almond paste blend offers a unique flavor profile that appeals to both traditional and adventurous dessert lovers, making these tassies a guaranteed hit at any celebration.

Ingredients List for Almond-Filled Tassies

• Butter: Provides rich, tender base for the tassie crust with a smooth, creamy texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy flavor and helps create a soft, delicate pastry shell.
• Flour: Gives structure and helps bind the crust ingredients together.

• Almond Paste: Delivers intense almond flavor and creates a rich, dense filling.
• Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps balance the almond's intensity.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and provide structure and richness.
• Orange Juice: Adds bright, fresh citrus note to complement the almond flavor.
• Cream: Enhances smoothness and creates a luxurious texture in the filling.

• Almonds: Provides a crunchy texture and nutty accent to the holiday tassies.
• Flour (for dusting): Helps prevent sticking when shaping the crust.

Tassie Baking Instructions for Perfect Centers

Step 1: Prepare Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and airy. Gradually mix in flour until well combined. Roll the dough into 48 small, even balls.

Step 2: Shape Tassie Shells

Lightly flour your fingers and press each dough ball into greased miniature muffin cups, covering the bottom and sides completely.

Step 3: Create Almond Filling

• Almond paste
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Orange juice
• Heavy cream
• Flour

Mix until the filling is smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Fill Tassie Shells

Pour the almond filling into the prepared dough shells, filling each about 3/4 full. Sprinkle chopped almonds on top.

Step 5: Bake Tassies

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the tassies for 12-13 minutes until they turn a light golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove tassies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Serve and enjoy these delightful holiday treats.

Tips to Avoid Overbaking These Bites

• Soften Ingredients: Allow butter, cream cheese, and eggs to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Press Carefully: Use the back of a floured spoon or your fingertips to evenly distribute dough in muffin cups, creating thin, uniform shells.
• Prevent Sticking: Generously grease miniature muffin tins or use non-stick spray to ensure easy removal of delicate tassies.
• Check Filling Consistency: Aim for a smooth, pourable filling that doesn't overflow when baking by gently stirring ingredients until well combined.
• Toasting Almonds: Lightly toast sliced almonds before sprinkling on top to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the holiday treat.

Keeping Tassies Fresh for Gatherings

• Refrigerate: Store tassies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep chilled for up to 4 days to maintain their delicate texture and rich almond flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap individual tassies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen treats will stay fresh for 2-3 months, perfect for unexpected holiday guests or spontaneous dessert cravings.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen tassies in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their crisp edges and soft, creamy filling. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Holiday Drinks That Match Almond Tassies

• Pair with Sparkling Moscato: The sweet, light bubbly wine complements the almond's richness and balances the dessert's delicate orange undertones, creating a festive holiday flavor experience.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Latte: Creamy coffee with vanilla notes enhances the almond and orange flavors, providing a warm, comforting contrast to the delicate tassie texture.
• Serve alongside Candied Orange Slices: Fresh citrus garnish echoes the orange juice in the recipe, adding a bright, zesty accent that elevates the nutty, sweet tassie profile.
• Accompany with Spiced Chai Tea: Warm, aromatic chai spices like cinnamon and cardamom beautifully complement the almond and orange flavors, making each bite more complex and enjoyable.

Topping and Filling Alternatives for Variety

• Festive Pecan Tassies: Swap almonds for toasted pecans and add a splash of bourbon to the filling for a rich, Southern-inspired treat.
• Chocolate Espresso Tassies: Mix cocoa powder into the crust and add instant espresso to the filling for a decadent coffee-infused version.
• Cranberry Orange Tassies: Replace almond paste with cranberry preserves and enhance the orange juice with fresh zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Maple Walnut Tassies: Substitute almond paste with maple syrup and top with chopped walnuts for a cozy, autumnal dessert option.

Holiday Almond Tassies Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Holiday Almond Tassies bring delightful nutty sweetness to seasonal celebrations. Delicate pastry shells cradle rich almond filling, promising a memorable dessert experience you’ll savor with pure holiday joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 8-ounce (226 grams) cans almond paste
• 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1.5 cups sugar

Dough Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
• 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour

Finishing and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sliced almonds

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly mix softened butter and cream cheese in a spacious mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, airy consistency.
2. Gradually incorporate flour into the butter-cream cheese mixture, blending until a uniform dough forms.
3. Delicately shape the dough into 48 evenly sized small spheres (approximately 1-inch diameter).
4. Dust fingertips with flour to prevent sticking, then gently press each dough ball into greased miniature muffin tin, carefully molding the dough along the bottom and sides of each cup.
5. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine almond paste, granulated sugar, whole eggs, fresh orange juice, heavy cream, and all-purpose flour, whisking until the filling becomes smooth and fully integrated.
6. Carefully spoon the almond filling into the prepared dough cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full.
7. Sprinkle a generous layer of sliced or chopped almonds across the top of each filled cup.
8. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and bake the tassies for 12-13 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the tassies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, helping them set and preventing potential crumbling.
10. Gently transfer the tassies from the muffin tin to wire cooling racks, allowing them to cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Chill the dough before shaping to make handling easier and prevent sticking.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Press dough evenly into muffin cups to create uniform, thin shells for delicate pastries.
• Toast almonds briefly before sprinkling to enhance their nutty flavor and aroma.
• Allow tassies to cool completely to set filling and prevent crumbling when removing from pan.
• Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 230 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg