Description
Chinese New Year Almond Cookies are a traditional festive treat known for their buttery texture, subtle almond flavor, and crumbly melt-in-your-mouth experience. This recipe offers a quick and simple way to bake authentic almond cookies that are perfect for celebrations, gifting, and sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup almond meal or ground almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Topping
- Sliced almonds (about 1 almond slice per cookie)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Begin by creaming the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy to ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Then, mix in the egg yolk and almond extract to infuse the dough with classic almond flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, almond meal, baking powder, and salt to remove lumps and evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Bring Dough Together: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture gently but thoroughly, forming a smooth dough without overworking it to keep the cookies tender. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to make handling easier.
- Shape and Top: Roll the dough into approximately one-inch diameter balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each ball down gently to slightly flatten, then top each with a slice of almond for a classic crunch and appearance.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, watching closely toward the end. The cookies should be golden around the edges but still pale on top for the perfect texture. Remove and let cool completely on a rack before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use cold butter and chill dough to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Fold ingredients gently to avoid tough cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop or measure dough balls uniformly for even baking.
- Press almond slices lightly to avoid sinking during baking.
- Allow cookies to cool fully on a rack to develop ideal crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Chinese New Year, almond cookies, festive treats, Chinese cookies, almond flavor, quick baking, holiday cookies
