Chinese New Year Almond Cookies
Learn how to make authentic Chinese New Year Almond Cookies with a perfect balance of buttery richness and almond flavor. This recipe guides you through creating crispy, crumbly cookies ideal for festive gifting or enjoying with tea, using simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup almond flour or ground almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup sugar (white or substitute with brown sugar for variation)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or vegan margarine for vegan option)
- 1 large egg yolk (or ground flaxseed mixed with water as vegan substitute)
Garnish
- Almond slices or slivers for topping each cookie
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and allow the butter to soften to room temperature for easier mixing. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to ensure it’s ready once your dough is formed.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Whisk together until evenly distributed for a balanced cookie.
- Cream the Butter and Egg Yolk: In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to cream the softened butter until fluffy. Add the egg yolk and continue mixing until fully incorporated, creating a smooth, rich base.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly using a spatula or your hands until it forms a cohesive dough with a slight crumble.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently flatten each ball and press an almond slice on top for garnish.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter that is soft but not melted for best texture.
- Do not overmix the dough; stir just until ingredients come together to keep cookies tender and crumbly.
- Use a cookie scoop or measure dough balls for uniform shapes and even baking.
- Watch the baking time closely, as ovens vary; look for lightly golden edges to avoid overbaking.
- Allow cookies to cool completely to develop their signature crumbly crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Chinese New Year cookies, almond cookies, festive cookies, crumbly cookies, gluten-free cookies, traditional Chinese cookies