Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe

Baking these almond cookies fills my home with a comforting, nutty aroma that always takes me back to cozy family gatherings. The combination of vanilla and almond extracts creates a delicate flavor, making each bite feel like a little moment of blissful indulgence.

Chinese Almond Cookies have a sweet nature and a delicate crunch. They combine a buttery base—a cookie’s basic dough—with flavors of almond and vanilla.

They also tend to have some combination of finely chopped nuts (often nut flours work well) and nut slices, which adds a nice version of the cookie with a flavor that’s just a little more intense.

Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and moisture; source of fat.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies; provides structure and browning.
• Almond Extract: Imparts strong almond aroma; enhances flavor.
• Almond Flour: Provides nutty flavor and moist texture; gluten-free.
• Sliced Almonds: Adds crunch and nutty flavor; source of protein.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent; helps cookies rise.

Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (256g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (75g) almond flour or ground almonds
• 1/2 cup (50g) sliced almonds
• 1 egg yolk, mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
• Whole blanched almonds (for topping, optional)

How to Make this Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe

1. Set your oven to 325°F (165°C) to warm up while you prepare the baking sheet. Use parchment paper to line the sheet.

2. In a big bowl, combine the soft butter and granulated sugar, and mix them until they are light and fluffy.

3. Place the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture and beat until they are well combined.

4. In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and whisk them together.

5. Slowly incorporate dry mix into wet mix. Stir until only just combined.

6. Mix in the almond flour in a way that makes it uniformly blended and distributed throughout the dough.

7. Scoop dough that is about the size of a tablespoon and roll it into a ball. Place the ball of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between it and other dough balls.

8. Make each ball slightly flat and press an almond slice, or an almond, into the center of each cookie.

9. In a small bowl, blend the egg yolk with water to make an egg wash and then lightly brush it over each cookie.

10. Cook the cookies for 15-18 minutes or until the outer edges are just starting to turn golden. Cool them on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Medium mixing bowl
6. Whisk
7. Mixing spoon or spatula
8. Measuring cups
9. Measuring spoons
10. Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
11. Tablespoon or cookie scoop
12. Small bowl (for egg wash)
13. Pastry brush
14. Wire cooling rack

FAQ

• Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?Yes, salted butter can be used when following a cookie recipe, but the salt in the recipe should be reduced to avoid the cookies being too salty.
• Q: What can I substitute for almond flour?A: For a similar texture and taste, you can use ground almonds or almond meal in place of almond flour.
• Q: Is almond extract necessary?A: You can enhance the almond flavor with almond extract, but if you don’t have it, don’t worry. Just use more vanilla extract instead.
• Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?A: Correct, swap out all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Q: How should I store these cookies?A: Keep in a container that does not allow air to enter at room temperature for no longer than a week, or put in the freezer for much longer storage.
• Q: Can these cookies be made ahead of time?Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for not more than 3 days, or you can freeze it for as long as 3 months.
• Q: What is the purpose of the egg wash?A: The cookies have a really nice golden brown finish and the sliced almonds almost seem to adhere to the surface of the cookie. That is to say, they are sticking in a non-hazardous way, as if the sliced almonds were, I don’t know, painted on with a nice paste. Also, the cookies didn’t spread much when baking.

Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Butter without salt: Exchange in the same quantity of margarine or vegetable shortening.
For granulated sugar, substitute with 1 cup (220g) light brown sugar or 1 cup (200g) coconut sugar.
Almond extract can be substituted with one of the following: 1/2 teaspoon additional vanilla extract; or 1/2 teaspoon amaretto liqueur.
Gluten-free version:
All-purpose flour: Use 2 cups (240g) of whole wheat pastry flour or a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour.
For egg wash: Use 1 tablespoon plant-based milk and a drop of almond extract to make a vegan substitute for egg yolk.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the Dough: After mixing the dough, let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough will make it easier to handle and help the cookies maintain their shape during baking.