Chinese Almond Cookies (Printable version)
Delicate crumbly texture with nutty almond flavor, perfect for pairing with tea.
# List of ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup almond flour
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon almond extract
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Toppings
10 - 32 whole blanched almonds
11 - 1 tablespoon milk
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add the egg, reserving half the yolk for the egg wash, along with the almond extract and vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Arrange them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
07 - Gently flatten each dough ball and press one whole blanched almond into the center of each cookie.
08 - In a small bowl, whisk the reserved egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of milk until combined. Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash mixture.
09 - Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
10 - Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing or serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These cookies have that perfect sandy crumble that literally melts in your mouth, thanks to the combination of regular flour and almond flour working together
- The recipe comes together in under 40 minutes from start to finish, but they taste like you spent all day making something special
- They actually improve overnight, making them ideal for holiday baking or gift giving
02 -
- Do not overwork the dough after adding the flour or your cookies will turn out tough instead of tender
- The egg wash step is what gives these their signature golden sheen, so do not skip it even if you are in a rush
03 -
- Measure your flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off, rather than scooping directly, to avoid packing too much in
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking time if your oven has hot spots