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    Home » Our latest posts » Desserts

    These Easy Chinese Almond Cookies are Better Than Store-bought

    January 7, 2016 Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chinese Almond Cookies - crispy crunchy cookies with an almond in the center found at many Chinese restaurants. Recipe adapted from Martin Yan.

    Chinese Almond Cookies are crunchy and almond-y and highly addicting. And they are so easy to make at home.

    Almond cookies on a plate with text overlay "Chinese Almond Cookies"

    I have been in love with these cookies since my childhood when mom used to get some at the grocery store in "a little pink box tied with string".

    Years ago I was given a signed copy of Martin Yan's Feast (affiliate link!).

    autograph of Martin Yan

    As I lovingly perused this book when I received it, carefully marking pages of recipes to try I was beyond thrilled to find the recipe for my favorite cookies on the very last page! I could make them myself.

    And then I forgot about it for 15 years. Ooops!

    Seriously, I have made more than a few other recipes from this book (the Char-siu, Chinese Barbecued Pork, is one of our favorites). But somehow I never got around to making these until now.

    Now these are not exactly like the ones you find in the store or a restaurant. He uses butter and shortening instead of lard (yum!). And he also adds brown sugar (double yum!).

    If you want pure copycat, use lard and all granulated sugar and a drop or two of yellow and red food coloring to tinge them orange.

    How to Blanch Almonds

    If you cannot find blanched almonds in the store, fear not, it is so easy to do at home. Put the raw almonds (not salted, or flavored) in a bowl and cover with bowling water just until the skin begins to pucker, about 30-45 seconds.

    how to blanch almonds

    Don't let it go any longer or the almonds will lose their crispness!

    Quickly drain them and cover in ice water. Drain again and the skin should slide right off.

    how to blanch almonds

    Chinese Almond Cookies

    Chinese Almond Cookies - crispy crunchy cookies with an almond in the center found at many Chinese restaurants. Recipe adapted from Martin Yan.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ cup butter (softened)
    • ½ cup vegetable shortening
    • ⅔ cups granulated sugar
    • ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
    • 1 egg (lightly beaten)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ teaspoons almond extract
    • 40 blanched almonds
    • 1 egg yolk (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda.
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening, granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy.
    • Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour mixture and mix until a dough forms.
    • Shape dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour (or up to two days).
    • Preheat oven to 350degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Divide dough into 4 parts, then each part into 10 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
    • Slightly flatten each ball into a disk and press an almond in the center. Brush with beaten egg yolk if desired.
    • Bake until lightly brown about 12 - 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

    More Almond Cookies

    top down view of spritz cookies with text overlay gluten free cherry almond spritz cookies"
    Almond Cherry Spritz Cookies
    pink frosted cookie bars with text overlay "Cherry Almond Sugar Cookies"
    Cherry Almond Sugar Cookie Bars
    hand sneaking a cookie off of a plate with text overlay "Crispy Coffee"
    Gluten Free Coffee Almond Crisps

    Until next time, happy eating.
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cynthia L

      January 07, 2016 at 7:00 am

      I have had these cookies at a Chinese restaurant and loved them. I have never made them though. That is about to change. They look yummy. Thanks so much for being a part of the Fill The Cookie Jar group. I am always excited to see what you make.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 07, 2016 at 12:40 pm

        I don't know what took me so long to get around to making them. They are so easy.

    2. Cindys Recipes and Writings

      January 07, 2016 at 7:42 am

      Love this cookie! Almonds are so good for you!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 07, 2016 at 12:39 pm

        That's good, because I ate more almonds that I used on the cookies. 🙂

    3. Saundra @ Famished Fish

      January 07, 2016 at 1:01 pm

      I always wanted to try these and now I have a recipe! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 07, 2016 at 1:47 pm

        I hope you enjoy them!

    4. Tina

      January 07, 2016 at 3:09 pm

      Oh! I know what I am going to be making very soon! I love almonds!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 11, 2016 at 4:29 pm

        they are so yummy!

    5. Joanne/WineLady Cooks

      January 07, 2016 at 4:56 pm

      Excellent Audrey, what a great idea to focus on Chinese New Year. I would love to give your recipe a try, they look gorgeous and we do enjoy almonds.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 11, 2016 at 4:29 pm

        I thought I might be the only one to have that idea.

    6. Heather @ Join Us, Pull up a Chair

      January 08, 2016 at 6:18 am

      They look really good and I love the little trick about removing the skin from almonds.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 11, 2016 at 4:30 pm

        I panicked when I realize I bought the wrong kind. Then I realized it was probably cheaper to buy raw and blanch them myself anyway.

    7. Walking on Sunshine Recipes

      January 10, 2016 at 2:44 pm

      I love these cookies! I haven't had them in years. Thank you for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday linky party! Your recipe received the #3 most clicks and will be featured on Daily Dish Magazine tomorrow! Hope to see you again next week for another fun party!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 11, 2016 at 4:33 pm

        Eek! always exciting to make the feature on FFF! THANKS!

    8. Katie

      January 14, 2016 at 8:28 pm

      How interesting and different!!!! Pinned to my baking board - thanks for linking up at Happiness Is Homemade this week!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 18, 2016 at 7:34 am

        Thanks, Katie!

    9. Jamie

      January 19, 2016 at 8:20 am

      Oh, I love it!! We would always get these at the Chinese restaurant after dinner. My brother and I called them toenail cookies, since it always made us laugh!! I can't wait to make my own! #HomeMattersParty

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 19, 2016 at 1:18 pm

        That is funny!

    10. Janie

      January 21, 2016 at 2:02 am

      Hi Audrey,

      Your almond preparation technique is very useful for me. it helps me to make the delicious cookies.
      I will share your Chinese recipe to my friends.

      Thanks for good tips!

      Reply

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