Chinese Almond Cookies {recipe}

Chinese Almond Cookies {recipe}

Chinese Almond Cookies at Home

I always love going out to eat Chinese because I know I’ll get the little almond cookies at the end of my meal.  Chinese Almond Cookies are tender, delicate, and less sweet than other cookies, plus they have a wonderful savory flavor.  When I found that I could make these adorable little cookies at home, I was excited!  Chinese Almond Cookies are fantastic at the end of any meal or just as a snack with milk or tea.  Topped with a blanched almond, the cookies are a pretty addition to any cookie platter or dessert plate.

Amazingly Simple Ingredients for Chinese Almond Cookies

I was surprised at the simple ingredients that go into Chinese Almond Cookies.  They have such an amazing flavor, I figured they had something exotic in them, but they are really a simple shortbread cookie.  Butter and shortening both combine to make a tender cookie that holds together and has a little bit of a chewy texture to it.  Almond extract gives the Chinese Almond Cookies a rich flavor, while flour, sugar, and salt make up the base of the dough.  Before baking, a brushing of egg yolk mixed with a little water provides a shine to the finished cookies that makes them look professional.  And each one is topped with a blanched almond for a finished look.

2 C flour

½ C shortening

½ C (1 stick) butter, softened

1 t salt

¾ C sugar

1 t almond extract

2 egg yolks

2 T water

½ C blanched almonds

Cut the shortening and butter into the flour.

Mix in the salt, sugar, and almond extract using your hands to form the dough.

Shape into two rolls, 1 inch in diameter, and wrap in plastic wrap.

Freeze for 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Slice cookies and place them on lightly greased cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart.

Whisk the egg yolks and water together.  Brush lightly across each cookie.  Top with a blanched almond.

Bake 8-10 minutes, until cookies are slightly golden brown.

Let cool slightly on trays, and remove to wax paper to finish cooling.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Freezing Chinese Almond Cookies

If you like to make up big batches of cookies and freeze them for portion control, or just to have something in the freezer when you want it, Chinese Almond Cookies do fantastically in the freezer.  Simple stack them in a tin or box with waxed or tissue paper and freeze them.  They will stay perfect in the freezer for about two months, and they only take about 15 minutes to thaw and eat!  Skip the takeout when you want Chinese Almond Cookies and make them from scratch at home!

[mv_create key=”113″ title=”Chinese Almond Cookies {recipe}” thumbnail=”https://www.freshouttatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chinese-Almond-Cookies-recipe.jpg” type=”recipe”]