Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe
From:
Field Guide to Herbs & Spices
, by
Aliza Green
Email
Makes:
4 dozen
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup (1/2 pound) lard or vegetable shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons water
- Whole blanched almonds for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Grease 2 baking sheets.
- Beat 1 cup (1/2 pound) lard or vegetable shortening (at room temperature) with 1 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Beat in 1 tablespoon almond extract and a pinch of salt, then beat in 3 cups all-purpose flour, a little at a time. The dough will be crumbly.
- Shape spoonfuls of dough into flat, round cookies about 2 inches in diameter. (The edges of the cookies will have cracks.) Transfer to the prepared pans.
- Beat together 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water and brush it atop the cookies. Press a whole blanched almond into the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. Store in an airtight container. Makes 4 dozen.
This recipe, while from a trusted source, may not have been tested by the CHOW food
team.
I'm so disappointed that these cookies don't even have almonds in them! They're my favorite... I should have known.
Not traditional, but SO much better when made with butter (or at least half butter).