Chinese Almond Cookies

Written by
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Rhonda Parkinson
Updated 10/18/19
Chinese almond cookies recipe

 The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 30 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
660 Calories
57g Fat
26g Carbs
21g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 30
Amount per serving
Calories 660
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 57g 73%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Sodium 92mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Protein 21g
Calcium 253mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Nutty almond cookies—along with sesame cookies and walnut cookies—are a popular treat at Chinese bakeries, but it's also possible to make these classic Chinese treats at home.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 30 whole almonds (blanched)
  • 1 egg (lightly beaten)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients and preheat oven to 325 F/162.5 C.

    Chinese almond cookie ingredients
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  2. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

    Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
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  3. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter and shortening, and sugar.

    Electric mixer beating together the butter and shortening, and sugar
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  4. Add the egg and almond extract and beat until well blended.

    Egg and almond extract added
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  5. Add to the flour mixture and mix well. Note: The dough will be crumbly at this point.

    Flour added to mixture
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  6. Use your fingers to form the mixture into a dough, and then form the dough into 2 rolls or logs that are 10 to 12 inches long.

    Dough in bowl
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  7. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (this will make it easier to shape the dough into circles).

    Dough in rolls wrapped in plastic
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  8. Take a log and lightly score the dough at 3/4-inch intervals so that you have 15 pieces and cut the dough.

    Dough rolls scored
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  9. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a lightly-greased cookie tray, approximately 1 1/2-inches apart.

    Chinese almond cookie dough on tray
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  10. Add an almond in the center of each cookie and press down lightly. Repeat with the remaining dough.

  11. Brush each cookie lightly with a beaten egg.

    Cookies being brushed with egg
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  12. Bake for 15 minutes to 18 minutes, until golden brown.

    Baked Chinese almond cookies on rack
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  13. Cool and enjoy or store in a sealed container.

    Chinese almond cookies in bowl
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