Chinese Almond Cookies

Bring in the new year (Chinese New Year that is) with these classic Chinese almond cookies.

Garrett McCord
Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.
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Garrett McCord
Garrett McCord
Chinese Almond Cookies
Elise Bauer

Chinese almond cookies are a trademark in Chinese-American cooking. Often relegated as a second string sweet to the more entertaining fortune cookie these don't get the respect they deserve!

Sure, they don't tell you what a charming personality you have or offer a string of lotto numbers, but they do have a crisp bite and delightfully sandy texture.

Almond flour, almond extract, and slivered almonds ensure that you get an intense flavor that will eclipse any paper filled treat.

Easy Homemade Chinese Almond Cookies
Elise Bauer

Set out a plate of these for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Almond cookies symbolize coins and will be sure to bring you good fortune. Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Chinese Almond Cookies

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Dough chilling 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 35 mins
Servings 60 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups of almond flour, lightly packed
  • 1 cup of unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of almond extract
  • 1 3/4 cups of flour
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • Thinly sliced almonds

Method

  1. Beat almond flour, salt, butter:

    Place the almond flour, salt, and butter into an electric mixer with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for three minutes. The mixture will become coarse and chunky looking.

  2. Add one of the eggs, reserving the other for later, and the almond extract:

    Mix on low speed until just incorporated.

  3. Sift together the flour, sugar, and baking soda then add to the butter mixture:

    at low speed. Mix until just combined.

  4. Chill the dough:

    Take the dough and flatten it into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for two hours to chill.

  5. Prep oven, baking sheet, egg:

    Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the other egg into a bowl and beat it.

  6. Flatten balls of dough onto cookie sheet:

    Take pieces of dough and roll them into balls about three-quarters-of-an-inch wide. Place them on the sheet about an inch apart and then press them down slightly with your palm to make a coin shape.

  7. Place a slivered almond onto each cookie and lightly press it into place, then paint the surface of the cookie with some of the beaten egg:

    using a pastry brush or your finger (this will give the cookie a lacquered appearance once it bakes).

  8. Bake at 325°F for 13-15 minutes:

    or until the edges just begin to tan. Cool on the sheet on a wire rack.