Chinese Imperial Almond Cookies

Ingredients

Chinese Imperial Almond Cookies differ from the original Spanish Alfajores in several ways. While Alfajores are typically made with wheat flour and filled with dulce de leche, Chinese Imperial Almond Cookies use almond flour and ground almonds as the base. Additionally, Chinese Imperial Almond Cookies are less sweet and have a more delicate flavor profile compared to the rich and caramel-like taste of Alfajores. The shape and decoration of the cookies also differ, with Chinese Imperial Almond Cookies being round with a single almond on top, symbolizing good luck. We alse have the original recipe for Alfajores (Spain), so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) almond flour 2 cups (240g) almond flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) ground almonds 1/2 cup (60g) ground almonds
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg 1 egg
• Whole almonds, for decoration Whole almonds, for decoration

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 9g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 5g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the almond extract and salt to the butter mixture and mix well.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the almond flour and ground almonds to the mixture, stirring until well combined.
5. 5.
   Beat in the egg until the dough comes together.
6. 6.
   Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. 7.
   Gently press a whole almond onto the top of each cookie.
8. 8.
   Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond flour — Ensure that the almond flour is finely ground for a smooth texture in the cookies.
• Ground almonds — If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until they reach a fine consistency.
• Whole almonds — Choose whole almonds that are uniform in size for a visually appealing presentation.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of elegance, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
• Experiment with different flavors by adding a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the dough.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness.

Serving advice

Serve Chinese Imperial Almond Cookies alongside a cup of fragrant Chinese tea for a truly imperial experience.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter, allowing the almond decorations to be visible. Consider using traditional Chinese motifs or colors in the presentation to enhance the imperial theme.