Chinese Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 large eggs, divided, one lightly beaten
• 30 whole almonds, blanched

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together butter, shortening, and sugar.
4. Add egg and almond extract and beat until well blended.
5. Add to flour mixture and mix well. Note: Dough will be crumbly at this point.
6. Use fingers to form mixture into a dough, and then form dough into 2 rolls or logs that are 10 to 12 inches long.
7. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (this will make it easier to shape dough into circles).The Spruce
8. Take a log and lightly score dough at 3/4-inch intervals so that you have 15 pieces and cut dough.
9. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a lightly-greased cookie tray, approximately 1 1/2-inches apart.
10. Add an almond in the center of each cookie and press down lightly. Repeat with remaining dough.
11. Brush each cookie lightly with a beaten egg.
12. Bake for 15 minutes to 18 minutes, until golden brown.