National Chinese Almond Cookie Day - April 9th

did you know???
April 9th is National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
here's a recipe to help you celebrate... ENJOY!!

Chinese Almond Cookies

These light, tender cookies are great served with ice cream as an easy holiday dessert or with simply with a cup of coffee or tea after dinner.

Ingredients:
1 cup Butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
48 whole blanched almonds
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg and almond extract; beat until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat until well mixed.

Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly; press almond into center of each cookie.

Beat egg yolk with water in small bowl; brush cookies with egg mixture. Bake for 11 to 15 minutes or until just set. .

TIP: These cookies were traditionally made with lard in China because pork is plentiful. We've changed to butter instead for a richer flavor and slightly crisper texture. Far more flavorful than the fortune cookie, keep them on hand, baked and ready, in your freezer.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

... for photo and printer-friendly recipe go to: http://www.homebakedmemories.com/pf_pages/pfChineseAlmondCookie.htm

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