#ALMOND COOKIE HOW TO#

This will give the cookie extra fragrance.

Replace the oil with homemade lard (instructions on how to render fat can be found here). Just make sure to do it before they go in the oven. This is entirely optional and up to personal preference. Use a knuckle or thumb to press lightly in the center to create a shallow dent.ĭefinitely! Some recipes instruct you to brush over a light layer of egg yolk so the top has a golden glaze after the cookies are baked. Gently flatten it between your palms until about 0.8cm (0.3″) thick. Take roughly 1.5 tbsp dough at a time and roll into a ball. Mix the ingredients with the oil and knead until it forms a smooth dough. Note: If you like chunky bits, don’t process it too fine. Alternatively, put the almonds in a ziplock bag and beat at them with a rolling pin. Use a food processor to blitz until sandy. Toast the almonds in a pan on low heat for 10 minutes or until golden, then let it cool completely. Sift and combine the flour, baking soda, salt and icing sugar in a bowl. You can use almond meal instead of making your own with raw almonds.įor the oil, opt for a neutral tasting one like vegetable, peanut, canola or rice bran. Keeping the oil neutral brings out the fragrance of the almonds.Icing sugar mixes seamlessly into the dry ingredients so the final flavors blend.Toasting the nuts gives the cookie a deeper nutty flavor.With taste and luck on your side, there’s no reason not to bake these at home! Why this recipe works This resemblance symbolizes wealth and good fortune, so is often paired with festive seasons. If you take a close look at its round shape, you’ll notice its similarity with coins. The reason why they’re a popular present comes down to the symbolism behind it. They’re often packed with the peanut version, but Chinese Almond Cookies are also a traditional gift. Why are almond cookies eaten during Chinese New Year?Įvery Lunar New Year when my Aunties and Uncles visit to catch up and drop off edible gifts, there’s always one family who brings a red round box of cookies. If there was a festive cookie made for celebrations, this would be it. Sparkles of sweet, salty and nutty all happening at once.

Aunty has always worked wonders into her recipes, but I could feel this one’s magic unfold in my mouth as I chewed. This experience is one of a kind (no brownie, moon cake, tang yuan or waffle can replicate that). I didn’t have to bite down very hard as soon as my teeth grazed the surface, it split seamlessly apart and crumbled into my mouth. At the first touch, some of the cookie crumbles stuck to my fingers, and that’s when I knew I’d be in for a delicious treat. Let me recreate that memory for you: When I lifted the lid, I was hit with an unmistakable fragrance of buttery toasted nuts. As soon as I bit into them, I instantly fell in love. I still remember the first time Aunty gave us a box of her Chinese Almond Cookies. They’re so easy to make and when their signature cracks appear, you’ll get to experience an ultra satisfying cookie crumble! The perfect treat for any occasion When Aunty’s Chinese Almond Cookies come hot out of the oven, they’re steaming with sinfully buttery aromas! Her secret to their deep nutty flavor is toasting the almonds until golden and smoky.

#ALMOND COOKIE HOW TO#

Almond cookie