Dotti's Chinese Almond Cookies

I don't know who 'Dotti' is, but this recipe was given to me at least 15 years ago. It goes great with hot jasmine tea, and they melt in your mouth--delicious!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 27 mins
• Calories: 75 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 8 ounces whole blanched almonds

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl.

Step 2

Using two knives or a pastry cutter, cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the almond extract and egg, and mix the dough together by hand. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, and knead a few times until the dough is smooth.

Step 3

Pinch off about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, and roll into a ball about 3/4-inch in diameter. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheets, and flatten each slightly. Press an almond into the center of each cookie.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are barely golden, about 12 minutes. Cool on racks.