11 Creative Almond Butter Desserts for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is right around the corner, and what better way to spread some festive cheer than with some scrumptious almond butter desserts? Almond butter adds an intense nutty flavor and makes for a healthier alternative to traditional desserts.

From gooey almond butter blondies to creamy almond butter cheesecake, the possibilities are endless, easy to make, and perfect for those following a vegan or gluten-free diet. Prepare to drool as you gather your baking supplies and turn those mundane dessert recipes into a delicious and nutritious almond butter treat that your guests will rave about!

Finding the Right Ingredients for Almond Butter Desserts

Whether you want to impress your guests during the holidays or simply indulge in a sweet treat, the quality of your almond butter is key. Don't settle for second-rate options that use low-quality ingredients as a base, as they can alter the taste and texture of your desserts.

Brands like American Dream, for example, offer pre-made holiday flavors like Gingerdoodle and Candy Cane Kisses that take the guesswork out of your dessert-making process. Everything you need is included (like gluten-free ginger cookies, premium white chocolate chips, and festive holiday sprinkles), so you won't need to spend extra time and money buying additional ingredients.

Whether you choose American Dream almond butter or not, start with the right ingredients to make the most delicious almond butter desserts this holiday season. Choose a brand that offers high-quality almond butter made with wholesome ingredients to create a dessert that truly shines with taste and texture.

Speaking of tasty desserts, let's dive into our top eleven almond butter recipes you can adapt to suit any holiday gathering or festive party. 

1. Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing says "it's the holiday season," like the smell of warm, gooey cookies straight out of the oven. These cookies (which also happen to be one of the best, easy desserts to bake with kids) are loaded with rich almond butter and studded with chocolate chips, creating a perfect balance of nuttiness and sweetness in every bite.

Here's the best part: only a handful of simple ingredients. The second best part? They're gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free almond butter (and double-check the chocolate chips you buy, as some come with gluten).

Grab some almond butter, brown sugar, an egg, a splash of vanilla extract, and those irresistible chocolate chips. Mix everything together, pop them in the oven until golden brown, and voila! You have a batch of heavenly cookies ready to devour.

Want to transform these cookies into a festive holiday dessert? Swap out the regular chocolate chips for red and green ones to add a pop of holiday cheer. You can also sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a minty twist.

2. Almond Butter Blondies

Get ready to sink your teeth into a slice of pure bliss with these almond butter blondies, a cross between a brownie and a cookie, with a soft and chewy texture that's simply irresistible (try this banana bread protein blondie recipe for a protein-packed treat).

To whip up a batch, you'll need almond butter (the star of the show!), two tablespoons of almond flour, vanilla extract, and honey. If you stick to that recipe and choose the right almond butter, these can be paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sugar. Mix it all together, pour it into a baking pan, and let the magic happen in the oven for about 18-20 minutes at 350º.

Add a sprinkle of red and green M&M's on top for a pop of color, chopped nuts for texture, or drizzle some melted white chocolate for a snowy effect. These blondies are versatile and freeze well if you want to save them for a company party or class event.

3. No-Bake Almond Butter Cup Bars

Short on time? Don't have an oven? These no-bake almond butter cup bars are one of the easiest almond butter dishes to make.

The ingredients for these bars are delightfully simple: almond butter, graham cracker crumbs (or coconut flour works well, too), maple syrup to sweeten, melted coconut oil, and, of course, chocolate.

Mix the almond butter with the other ingredients (minus the chocolate), and press the mixture into a pan. Then, mix four ounces of melted chocolate with two tablespoons of melted almond butter. Fill the pan with that chocolatey, nutty topping and spread it evenly.

Let it all chill in the fridge until firm. It's that easy! To add some holiday spirit and ensure the almond butter cup bars blend in with other holiday dishes on the table, try adding a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top or use festive-shaped chocolate molds.

4. Almond Butter Holiday Cheesecake

Love cheesecake but want to find a unique way to include almond butter into everything you do this holiday season? Although not vegan or gluten-free, this creamy and dreamy treat is the perfect centerpiece for your festive table. Imagine a velvety smooth almond butter-infused cheesecake nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust.

To create this masterpiece, you'll need cream cheese, sugar, almond butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and a touch of lemon juice. Beat them until perfectly blended, then pour the heavenly mixture onto the crust. Bake it to perfection, and let it cool before refrigerating.

To make it extra special for the holidays, top your cheesecake with a drizzle of melted chocolate, a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies, or a dollop of holiday-flavored whipped cream. We've found that this recipe works great with sweeter whipped creams like salted caramel, marshmallow, or pumpkin spice.

5. Almond Butter Rice Crispy Treat

Get ready for a truly addictive holiday dessert perfect for those who love the classic rice crispy treat but crave a little more flavor and oomph. This almost butter rice crispy treat recipe is a sweet tooth's dream come true, thanks to the nuttiness of almond butter and the chewy, crispy texture of the rice cereal.

You'll need some marshmallows, butter, almond butter, rice cereal, and vanilla extract to get started. Mix everything in a pot, warm it, stir it until it's all melted and smooth, and pour it into a glass baking dish for cooling.

Cut the treats into holiday shapes using cookie cutters for an extra festive touch, or include a bottom layer of chocolate and sprinkles. If you want to take things to the next level, build little marshmallow snowmen to put on top of each rice crispy treat for serving.

Regardless of how you decorate your sweet treats, this recipe is so easy to whip up that even your kids or non-bakers can help in the kitchen.

6. Almond Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

Cookies are the quintessential comfort food that brings back childhood memories. Now add a nutty, buttery twist to the classic peanut butter and jelly, and you've got a winning almond butter recipe for the holidays that'll make you (and your guests) drool.

Almond butter and jelly thumbprint cookies perfectly combine soft, chewy, and crunchy. You can substitute the jelly for another ingredient if you find jelly to be too sweet, or make your fruit compote for a healthier version of store-bought canned jam.

You'll need all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, almond butter, raspberry jam, and icing sugar to dust on top. Use red or green jelly, or roll the edges in colorful sprinkles for a festive flair. Adding the jelly to the cookies before baking can help them set better, and it's great to get the kids involved by having them make the thumbprints!

They're incredibly easy to make, bringing back memories of your childhood packed with PB&J lunches. Our Monster Munch Almond Butter can add a sweet, candy-filled flavor to the cookies that little ones will especially love. One bite, and you'll instantly be transported to nostalgic bliss.

7. Almond Butter Banana Sushi

Looking for a super fun and simple way to mix up your holiday dessert tray this year? Try almond butter banana sushi! This playful recipe takes a classic comfort food and gives it a sweet twist.

You only need bananas, almond butter, rice paper, and some toppings of your choice. We recommend crushed nuts, coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips, and crispy rice cereal (to mimic rice). Try our Big Apple Almond Butter, which comes with diced cinnamon sugar apples, homemade gluten-free cinnamon streusel, and premium white chocolate chips for a festive flavor.

Spread the almond butter on the wrapper, place the banana in the center, and roll it up like sushi. It's that simple, and you've got a healthy and delicious dessert that's as fun to make as it is to eat. For a holiday-themed twist, try using red and green toppings, like cranberries and pistachios, to give your sushi an extra festive flair.

8. Almond Butter Stuffed Dates

For busy parents or anybody managing a hectic schedule this holiday season, it's best to opt for no-bake almond butter dishes. With just four simple ingredients, this recipe will take you less than ten minutes to put together.

All you need are fresh Medjool dates, creamy almond butter, shredded coconut, and a drizzle of honey. Cut the dates open and stuff them with the almond butter. Then, coat them in shredded coconut and finish with a drizzle of honey for an extra touch of sweetness.

Add cinnamon or ginger to the almond butter filling to turn this dessert into a holiday-themed treat. You could also sprinkle crushed candy canes or chopped pecans on top for a festive twist. Although, since dates are a common holiday food in many cultures, they work well without any added ingredients, too!

9. Almond Butter Raspberry Tart

This holiday dessert is perfect for anyone looking to impress their guests with a delicious and creative treat. The recipe (a variant of this Epicurious recipe) involves a flaky pie crust filled with velvety almond butter and topped with fresh, vibrant raspberries for that added pop of Christmas red.

To make this recipe, you'll need almond flour, butter, sugar, almond extract, almond butter, raspberry jam, fresh raspberries, and sugar. Mix your ingredients (ensuring you thoroughly mix the almond butter with the jam and raspberry mixture), and bake it until it's golden brown, usually after 18-20 minutes if you're baking it at 375°.

Don't hesitate to experiment with different toppings. And if you have any leftovers, they'll taste amazing served with a cup of coffee or tea the next day.

10. Almond Butter Banana Bread

Are you looking for the perfect holiday dessert that's not too heavy on the stomach? Almond butter banana bread is the answer to your dessert cravings. This recipe is perfect for those who love banana bread but want to add a twist of nutty flavor to it.

Gather ripe bananas, almond butter, flour, eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt. We love adding some cinnamon and vanilla for an extra flavor. Mix them in a bowl, pour the batter into a loaf pan, and bake it in the oven for 45-55 minutes at 350°. The result is a moist and flavorful bread perfect for a cozy night by the fire.

Wanna jazz it up with festive cheer? Turn this into a holiday-themed dessert by drizzling some dried fruit on top, or cut the pieces of bread into Christmas tree shapes. This versatile recipe can easily be transformed into your unique holiday creation.

11. Fudgy Almond Butter Truffles

Beware: these mouth-watering chocolate truffles are ridiculously delicious and healthy, meaning they'll disappear from the holiday dessert tray in the blink of an eye. These truffles are packed with rich chocolate and creamy almond butter, perfect for dessert or as a sweet treat.

You'll need almond butter, milk chocolate, and coconut milk to make them. Mix the ingredients, roll them into balls, and chill for a bit. Add chopped nuts, sprinkles, or powdered sugar to a few to offer guests different flavor combinations. You can even drop a dollop of holiday-flavored nut butter on top, too!

Get American Dream Holiday Almond Butter

These 11 almond butter desserts can help make your holiday season even sweeter!

Whether you're a fan of cookies, brownies, or sweet little truffles, you can try all these recipes with our holiday-themed almond butter, adding that extra festive touch to your dessert table.

Explore our complete collection of peanut, almond, and cashew butters that are both drool-worthy and delicious.