Easy Chinese Almond Cookies

Chinese Almond cookies are types of cookies made with lard or vegetable shortening. They contain almond and flour. They are round shaped as is typical with other cookies. These cookies use powdered sugar and are very crumbly and melt in your mouth. This traditional cookie is very popular in Hong Kong or in big cities in China, but now it is popular around the world. These cookies are very easy to make. Today, I will share here an easy recipe that I cut into smaller portions, so you can make these cookies anytime.

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sliced Almond

12 whole almonds

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp water

1/2 cup to 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 egg

1 tsp almond extract or vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Separate the egg yolk from the egg white. 

Soak the whole almonds in hot water and remove skin.

In a mixing bowl, beat vegetable shortening, egg white, and powdered sugar with a handheld beater for 1 minute (you can beat them by hand with a whisk).

In a small bowl, combine baking powder, baking soda, and water and add into the sugar and vegetable shortening. Beat for a few seconds.

Add sliced almonds, almond extract, and flour to mixture to form a dough.

Roll the dough into a long baton-like roll; then divide into 12 balls. Flatten each piece of dough with the palm of your hand.

Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease the baking sheet with a little oil. Place each flattened dough 2 inches apart. Place a whole almond in the center of each piece of dough and press lightly on the almond in the center of the dough. Beat the yolk and brush over the dough to cover the almond.

Bake for 15 minutes. When the cookies are golden; remove and let cool before serving.