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Chinese Almond Cookies laying on a plate in a layered circle.

Chinese Almond Cookies

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5 from 1 review

This recipe for Chinese almond cookies is buttery and sweet with a light nutty flavor. They’re a must for your Lunar New Year Celebrations! But they’re so good I know you’ll serve them all year long!

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 30 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/4 cups of almond flour (lightly packed)
  • 1/4 tsp of kosher salt
  • 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/8 cups of granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (cut into cubes, then chilled)
  • 3 eggs (2 for the dough and 1 for egg wash right before baking)
  • 1 teaspoon of almond extract
  • Thinly sliced almonds (this is for the top)

Instructions

  1. Before you get started, go to the notes and see the “Tips for Success”
  2. In a food processor or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend together the almond and all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Then add the butter cubes (a few at a time) and pulse until “mixed” it will look a bit like wet sand.
  4. Add the eggs and almond extract. pulse in the food processor until fully incorporated (it will be a peanut butter cookie-like consistency).
  5. Transfer the cookie dough to a bowl.
  6. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop onto lined baking sheets.
  7. Place these pans in the freezer and preheat the oven to 325°F (The dough should freeze for about 10-20 minutes).
  8. Pull one pan out at a time, press the cookies with a small jam mason jar, back of a spoon, or your fingers until they are about .5/.25 inches thick.
  9. Egg wash the top of the cookies and press in an almond sliver.
  10. Bake at 325°F For approximately 20 min or when the bottom edges of the cookies are a light golden color. ***If you have to put cookies on the bottom and middle rack, rotate half through to ensure even baking.
  11. Let cool on pan for about 5/10 min. Then transfer to a cooling rack.

Equipment

Notes

Some Tips for Success

Although these cookies are actually really easy to make, these tips will help ensure success the very first time you make them.

  • Make sure the butter is cold. Cube it first, then place it in the freezer until you’re ready to use it. It’s easy to cut before you put it in the freezer
  • Use almond flour, not almond meal. They are not the same and you will have sad cookies.
  • Do not skip freezing the dough on the pan for 10-20 minutes before baking.
  • The ONLY substitute I will say is ok, is if you want to change the butter to lard, if you do, however, you will need to weigh the lard and use 180g to equal 1 cup. If you use lard, do not freeze.

How to Store Your Almond Cookies

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container. They will last as follows:

  • on the counter for up to 5 days
  • in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 weeks.
  • in the freezer (in a freezer-safe bag/container) for up to 4 months

You Can Also Freeze the dough!!!

Freeze the cookie dough in a freezer-safe bag/container for up to 4 months (I use plastic wrap, but that’s because my cookies literally last in the freezer for about a week).

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: Chinese, Chinese American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 172
  • Sugar: 8
  • Sodium: 45
  • Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Carbohydrates: 15
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 3
  • Cholesterol: 33

Find it online: https://www.jenn-smith.com/recipe-almond-cookies/