Chinese Almond Cookies

These Chinese Almond Cookies are buttery, crispy and have tons of almond flavor. And did I mention these Almond Cookies are extremely easy to make? Now you don’t have to wait to visit your favorite restaurant to enjoy them.

Chinese almond cookies on a platter and baking sheet

An American-Chinese cooking classic

While these cookies may not be traditional to Chinese cooking, they were made popular in the United States by many different Chinese restaurants.  You don’t need to buy boxes of almond cookies when you can make a fresh batch today.

Why this Recipe Works

Sure, we have all enjoyed these Almond Cookies at a restaurant. In many different Chinese restaurants, the meal concludes with a couple of these cookies or a traditional fortune cookie. This cookie somewhat resembles a buttery almond cookie.

So why not share these Almond Cookies at home after your next meal.  We all love a great dessert, especially at home.  I also really love these Pecan Sandies for dessert after a beautiful meal!

Scroll down to watch my video on how to make this Chinese Almond Cookies recipe!

Chinese Almond Cookies History

It is believed the Chinese Almond Cookie came from a Chinese Walnut cookie that came from the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century. The nut in the center of the cookie symbolized good luck.

Originally created for royalty, this cookie would become available to all. This cookie would make its way to the United States as the Chinese immigrants came to the United States to help build the railways.

This popular cookie now has a holiday named after it. April 9th is now known as National Chinese Almond Cookie Day.

Ingredients

What you’ll need to make this Recipe:

  • Butter (softened)
  • Sugar
  • Egg
  • Almond extract
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Egg Wash made with the egg whites and water
  • Sliced Almonds

Chinese almond cookies ingredients

How to Make Chinese Almond Cookies

While your oven is preheating to 325 degrees, cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Once it’s light and fluffy, beat in the egg, almond extract, baking powder, and salt.

Chinese almond cookies dough mixture in a mixing bowl

Slowly add the flour into the mixture. Beat until the batter is completely incorporated.

Using a cookie scoop, divide the batter into 1-inch balls.

Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.

Flatten the balls and brush the top with your egg white wash.

Sprinkle with the almond slices.

Chinese almond cookies on a baking sheet before baking

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the cookie turns golden brown.

Cool completely before digging in.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

  • When making the egg wash, use only the egg whites with the water. This will keep the cookies this beautiful buttery color
  • Use a cookie scoop to keep the cookies all the same size. Another great tip is to use the bottom of a glass to flatten the dough.
  • These are the best cookies to send to friends and loved ones because you don’t have to worry about the frosting melting.

Chinese almond cookies on a square platter

Love baking cookies? Try these recipes

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Be sure to check out more of my easy cookie recipes and the best family dessert recipes.

Did you make and love this recipe? Give your review below and make sure you share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!

Chinese almond cookies on a platter and baking sheet

Chinese Almond Cookies

This Chinese Almond Cookies recipe can be described as buttery, crispy with tons of almond flavor.  And did I mention these Almond Cookies are extremely easy to make?   
4.94 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Almond Cookies, Chinese Almond Cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 48
Calories: 82kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  •  In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 egg, almond extract, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add in the 3 cups of flour. Beat until the batter is blended well. Divide batter into 1 inch balls, this is very easy to do with a cookie scoop. 
  • Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten balls of dough with the bottom of a glass. Brush the top of the cookies with the egg white wash, and sprinkle almond slices on top of the cookie. 
  • Bake the cookie for 12 to 14 minutes or until the cookie begins to turn golden brown. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

  • These cookies are perfect for the holidays, they stay fresh for about 7 to 10 days.
  • Perfect cookies for mailing, these cookies do not crumble like many other cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gail Hett

    Thank you for this recipe! I loved these cookies as a kid, but can not seem to find them anywhere. Another cookie i loved was Mother’s Iced Raisin Cookies, but they are no longer sold. Would you by chance have a copycat version of that cookie?

    Thank you

  2. Joan D Spear

    I have my cookies in the oven… only problem is I realized I forgot to brush with egg white…I hope it doesn’t affect the results too much…

  3. Dana Smith

    5 stars
    Hi Stephanie,

    Thanks a lot for this easy and tasty almond cookies recipe. I’m a great fan of new recipes and was looking for some easily manageable recipe to try with. I’m a professional nanny and currently working in a family where I’m having three kids to be taken care of. They are all great fans of almond cookies and hence it’s going to help me treat them next week.

    Please have more and more new fantastic recipes here for us all, and I really appreciate your efforts.

    Cheers
    Dana Smith

  4. Jean Hopkins

    I’ve never seen the dry ingredients not put into the flour first. I suppose you could do that if you are OCD (like me). HAHAHA Making these, but a tiny version, for a birthday tea we’re giving a friend on Monday. Will practice tomorrow (Saturday) to make sure they come out all right. Thanks so much!

    • Donna

      Hi Ellen!
      Original Chinese almond cookies dont have any almonds on or in them. They instead have a round red spot on the top middle part of each cookie.

  5. Peter Rocchio

    Re: chiese Almond Cookie. In your video you make the point to use Baking Soda …in the printed recipe it aays Baking Powder…please clarify…

  6. Marly

    Love this recipe, Stephanie. What’s my favorite kind of cookie? Well, I like to answer that the same way my husband does – I haven’t met a cookie I haven’t liked…at least not yet. But, you know, the chocolate chip cookie will probably be my all-time favorite. These look mighty tasty too!

    • IreneJoy

      5 stars
      ????Hello Ms Stephanie
      I love cookies of any kind as along as its taste delicious…for tea time????

      Show more about cookies video & recipe????
      TQ for kind sharing video & recipe..????????????
      If possible will post u some local Msia delights for sharing & tasting..baking????
      ????irenejoy

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