Chifa-Inspired Almond Cookies

Ingredients

In this Chifa adaptation of sequilhos, we infuse the traditional Brazilian almond cookies with Chifa cuisine's unique flavors. The addition of ginger and star anise gives these cookies a distinct warmth and complexity, elevating them to a whole new level of deliciousness. We alse have the original recipe for Sequilhos, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (120g) almond flour 1 cup (120g) almond flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground star anise 1/4 teaspoon ground star anise
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk 1 egg yolk
• Sliced almonds, for garnish Sliced almonds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 80 kcal / 335 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 6g, 3g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• 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, combine the almond flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, ground ginger, ground star anise, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add the softened butter, vanilla extract, and egg yolk to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined and a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. 5.
   Gently press a sliced almond onto the top of each cookie.
6. 6.
   Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond flour — Make sure to use finely ground almond flour for the best texture in the cookies.
• Ground ginger and star anise — If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can increase the amount of these spices slightly.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
• If you don't have almond flour, you can make your own by grinding blanched almonds in a food processor until fine.

Serving advice

Serve these Chifa-Inspired Almond Cookies with a cup of hot Chifa tea or as a delightful accompaniment to a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter, garnished with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a few extra sliced almonds for an elegant presentation.