Craving those melt-in-your-mouth almond cookies recipe from your favorite Chinese bakery? This authentic recipe creates perfectly crisp, nutty cookies with a tender center that will rival any professional bakery. With just the right balance of almond flavor and sweetness, these cookies are destined to become your new favorite treat.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect crispy-tender texture
- Rich almond flavor in every bite
- Simple ingredients you can find anywhere
- No special equipment needed
- Stays fresh for days
Quick Facts
- 🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
- 👨🍳 Cook Time: 15 minutes
- ⏲️ Total Time: 35 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: 24 cookies
- 📋 Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Almond cookies recipe
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 1/2 cups | Spooned and leveled |
| Almond flour | 1/2 cup | Finely ground |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon | Fresh, not expired |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup of butter | softened to room temperature. |
| Sugar | 3/4 cup | |
| Almond extract | 1 teaspoon of almond | Pure, (avoid imitation) |
| Egg | 1 large egg | at Room temperature |
| Whole almonds | 24 whole almond | used for garnish. |
Egg Wash
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Egg yolk | 1 | |
| Water | 1 teaspoon |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Have all ingredients at room temperature
Making the Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk flour, almond flour
- Add baking powder and salt
- Set aside
- Cream Wet Ingredients:
- Beat butter until creamy (1 minute)
- Gradually add sugar
- Beat the mixture for 3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Add almond extract
- Beat in egg until combined
- Combine:
- Add dry ingredients gradually
- Mix until just combined
- Don’t overmix
Shaping and Baking
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls
- Place on prepared sheets
- Flatten slightly with palm
- Press almond in center
- Brush with egg wash
- Bake 12-15 minutes until edges are golden
Success Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients
- Don’t skip the almond flour
- Press cookies to even thickness
- Rotate pans halfway through baking
- Cool completely before storing
Expert Variations
- Double Almond: Add chopped almonds to dough
- Coconut Almond: Replace 1/4 cup flour with coconut
- Modern Twist: Dip in dark chocolate
- Traditional: Add red food coloring to egg wash
- Extra Crispy: Bake 2 minutes longer
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Cookies Too Hard
- Overbaked
- Too much flour
- Solution: Reduce baking time, measure flour correctly
Cookies Too Soft
- Underbaked
- Not enough flour
- Solution: Bake longer, check measurements
Uneven Browning
- Oven hot spots
- Different thickness
- Solution: Rotate pans, use consistent size
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: 1 week in airtight container
- Refrigerator: 2 weeks
- Freezer: 3 months
- Dough: Freeze up to 3 months
FAQs
Can I use all regular flour?
Yes, but texture will be less authentic.
Why did my cookies spread?
Butter too warm or dough overworked.
Can I skip the egg wash?
Yes, but cookies won’t have traditional shine.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare dough up to 3 days ahead
- Freeze shaped cookies before baking
- Store baked cookies in layers with parchment
Nutrition Information
Per Cookie:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
Pro Tip: The key to perfect almond cookies lies in the proper creaming of butter and sugar, and not overbaking. They should be just barely golden at the edges for that perfect crisp-tender texture!
Serving Suggestions
- Perfect with afternoon tea
- Great for Chinese New Year
- Ideal for gift giving
- Pair with coffee or milk
- Package in traditional red boxes
Cultural Notes
These cookies are traditionally served during Chinese New Year and special occasions, symbolizing coins for prosperity and good fortune. Our recipe maintains authenticity while making them achievable for home bakers.
Ressources
Allrecipes – Almond Cookie Recipes
BBC Good Food – Almond Cookie Ideas
Taste of Home – Best Almond Cookies