April 9th is National Chinese Almond Cookie day and being a fan of these deep almond-flavored cookies, I try to make them every year to celebrate the day.
The cookies are terrific with black tea or a cup of Joe and great for when that sugar craving hits you.
Simple ingredients make these super tasty and you can even add a few additions to make the batter a little different each time with are mix-in suggestions.
This popular Chinese cookie has a nice crunch with an addicting melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The cookies are traditionally given as gifts around the Chinese New Year as a way to bring good fortune, but you can find them all year round throughout the world.
We enjoy all kinds of cookies and make several different kinds for the holiday season we call it the One-Stop Cookie Shop of recipes you may like to try.
Do try these delicious cookies, the recipe has been tried and true and we love the taste using both shortening and butter for the perfect bite.
Scroll down to my printable recipe card for the recipe and tips.
Cookie Traditions
This is a lovely Chinese cookie tradition to celebrate their New Year.
This cookie is s symbol and given as a gift in their culture and is very appreciated.
There are many decorating possibilities to coordinate just by using colorful little candies in the center and in America we have many adaptions.
Change to any color of the dough by adding food coloring or even for a baby reveal party to make a fun colorful cookie.
Again recipes can be changed and altered to your taste and maybe you've had them a little different in flavors so adapt away.
Ingredients You Will Need (scroll down for exact measurements)
- egg at room temperature
- almond extract
- butter at room temperature
- almond flour
- salt
- sugar
- shortening
- whole almonds
- Optional:
- substitute lemon, mint, rum, anise, almond, orange, maple, or another extract you like in place of almond extract
- see the list above for other options to add to the center
Tips
- make sure the oven is preheated
- using an electric mixer always cream the butter with sugar (this is a must for at least 1 minute)
- always brush the tops with egg whites that are beaten to a frothy consistency with added water
- only use almond flour not a meal
- roll in balls then flatten
- use parchment paper for a nonstick removal
- store cookies in an airtight container
- baking time takes around 20 minutes in a preheated oven of 350 degrees
- cookies will freeze well for up to 6 months
Other Additions:
- lemon, mint, rum, anise, orange, maple, or another extract you like in place of almond extract
- add toffee chips, mini chocolate chips
- minced maraschino cherries, coconut, finely chopped walnuts, or mini chocolate chips in the center
- tinted nuts or coconut works well sprinkled on top
- candy sprinkles to match the theme of the holiday or party
- crushed peppermints are pretty for the holiday
- pistachios, macadamia nuts, pecan, walnuts, or for nut allergies pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds mixed with cinnamon and sugar
- add chopped dried fruits instead of a whole almond
- finely minced cranberries, dates, figs, or raisins with cinnamon /sugar mixed with nuts
- a dab of cherry, peach, apricot, blackberry, mint, fig, blueberry, strawberry, pineapple jams or another one you love for the center before or after baking will work
More Recipes To Try:
Banana Chocolate Chip Biscotti
Chocolate Spice Cookies
Old Fashioned Buttermilk Cookies
Pin for Later
Chinese Cookie Recipe
Chinese almond cookies are buttery, sweet cookies similar to sugar cookies but made with almond flour for a unique, nutty flavor.
As I mentioned these cookies are very popular and made during the Chinese New Year.
There are plenty of recipes out there but this one has never failed me in flavor.
This Chinese cookie will be the perfect addition to your holiday cookie collection.
Chinese Almond Cookies
Yield: 30
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 25 Min
A delicious crunchy Chinese Almond Cookie is made usually around a Chinese New Year and found in Chinese restaurant buffets.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup almond meal (almond flour)
- 36 whole blanched almonds and finely chopped almonds we like both but this is optional
- 1 egg white (beaten until frothy)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream together the butter, shortening with the granulated sugar.
- Add the egg and extracts, then add the salt, baking powder, almond meal, and flour, mixing into a stiff dough.
- Measure out with a level cookie scoop and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet ( or roll into 2-inch golf ball-sized rounds).
- Gently flatten the dough and press a blanched almond into the center of each.
- Beat in 2 tablespoons water with the egg white, and brush the tops of each cookie with a pastry brush.
- Sprinkle with finely chopped almonds if desired.
- Baked at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Remove to cool on a wire rack.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Tips
- butter, flour, and egg need to be at room temperature
- using an electric mixer always cream the butter with sugar (this is a must for at least 1 minute)
- always brush the tops with egg whites that are beaten to a frothy consistency with added water
- only use almond flour and not almond meal
- use parchment paper for a nonstick removal
- store cookies in an airtight container
- baking time takes around 20 minutes in a preheated oven of 350 degrees
- cookies will freeze well for up to 6 months
Other Additions:
- lemon, mint, rum, anise, orange, maple, or another extract you like in place of almond extract
- add toffee chips, mini chocolate chips
- minced maraschino cherries, coconut, finely chopped walnuts, or mini chocolate chips in the center
- tinted nuts or coconut works well sprinkled on top
- candy sprinkles to match the theme of the holiday or party
- crushed peppermints are pretty for the holiday
- pistachios, macadamia nuts, pecan, walnuts, or for nut allergies pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds mixed with cinnamon and sugar
- add chopped dried fruits instead of a whole almond
- finely minced cranberries, dates, figs, or raisins with cinnamon /sugar mixed with nuts
- a dab of cherry, peach, apricot, blackberry, mint, fig, blueberry, strawberry, pineapple jams or another one you love for the center before or after baking will work
Pin for Later
Other Holiday Cookies to Try
25 Holiday Cookies
One Stop Cookie Shop
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